CAIRNS
NAVCOM
Maxine office
"Maxine, I want an explanation on what the hell is going on, I have two highly regarded officers wanting to resign from the Navy." Steve asks Maxine as the two sits in a meeting, he hasn't yet told her that he is going to take over from her and lay her off just yet, she thinks he is here for other things.
"What do you mean two officers, I told you Mike's is a cover story for him to be able to stay onboard Hammersley, he wants to make it look like he wants off, when he knows we have no one who can take over the command of Hammersley." Maxine says to
"I have spoken to him, it's no cover Maxine, he wants out, and nothing will keep him in the Navy. The other is Kate, she is yet to go to fleet command but she feels that the hard work she has put in, the experience she has gained, the hard work Mike has done with her so she could take over command of Hammersley was worthless, then there is the fact she feels you do not respect her, she told me you ask her to back off from Mike."
"Yes, I did ask her to back off, because there were rumours of the two of them being more than CO and XO, I had been watching them and noticed they walked too close to each, were often in each other's personal space, and spending a fair amount of time outside work hours together. I was saving both their careers by asking her to break up whatever it was that was going on." Steve sits there in his chair shaking his head at what Maxine has done. He decided to lie to her, and hello it wasn't a lie at all, she had put a wedge between the two of them.
"Why are you shaking your head Steve?"
"We sent you up here, after Kate and I both failed to get Mike to take his damn promotion and off Hammersley, you did get him to take the promotion, but having him off Hammersley was very different. I have spoken to Mike and found out he has wanted off; he didn't even want to go back on after Colburn but he had no choice."
"What does Kate have to do with getting Mike off Hammersley and his promotion?" Why would Kate get him off Hammersley, Maxine things to herself?
"For a so-called friend of Mike's and someone who has wanted him in their bed you have no idea about his family and who Kate is to him do you? Mike has known Kate since he was eighteen, and Kate was eight, she is best friends with Mike's youngest sister Millie, it is also in their files that they have also been in a relationship together in the past, the Brass and I thought if we brought the two back together, instead of Kate spending months out at sea that things may get sorted between the two of them, sadly that didn't happen at all. Haven't you noticed how well the two work together? How at times they seem to know what the other one is thinking, or going to say?" Maxine is livid internally; she can't believe what Steve is saying to her. It is really pissing her off. She should have transferred her out months ago when she noticed something was going between the two of them.
"Why wasn't anything in their files?" She asks as she never remembers seeing anything in the files.
"It is in their files Maxine. Also, Maxine I have been in contact with Mike."
"Where the hell is, he? I need to talk to him as well about some files he gave me." She asks him if she wants to talk to him and ask him out for a drink and sort things out with him. All she knows is that he is away and his mobile is turned off.
"I promised him I wouldn't tell you where he is right now, I know where he is and he is safe, but after talking to him, the Brass and the Chief you are being placed on leave, we are wanting to fully look into everything you have done since coming up here Maxine, with things that I have been told from others as well as Mike and Kate, things do not add up with what you have told us and have on record. So, until further notice you are on leave, with full pay and I am taking over the running of NAVCOM. You are not allowed to talk to anyone from the Navy about Navy stuff or what is going on, also Mike and Kate are off limits to you at all times."
"What the hell, all I was doing was protecting officers' careers and it comes to this." Maxine says to Steve total shock on her voice at what Steve has done to her.
"It was more than that Maxine, you can take your own personal stuff, leave the rest and we will be in touch at a later date." Steve says as Maxine gets her items and leaves NAVCOM, rather pissed off over what has happened in her office.
As Maxine drives home, she is totally pissed off at what has just happened in her office today. She thought Steve was up on other matters but no he was up here to investigate what has been going on within Hammersley. She knew it was his baby as well but never expected him to come up and do this sort of shit. Whatever Kate and Mike has been saying to Steve has to be a load of bullshit as far as she is concerned.
KATE'S HOUSE
Kate and Jim are inside when the doorbell goes Kate goes to the door to see who it is.
"Commander White what can I do for you?" Kate asks Maxine when she sees it is her at the door. She doesn't invite her into her house.
"What the hell did you say to Captain Marshall?" Maxine is very blunt with Kate.
"Not sure what you are talking about Ma'am, I did speak to him this morning in the parking lot of NAVCOM, about my resignation, but he said to hold off on that until he contacts me later on."
"No, I mean about Mike and you, you told him about me warning you to back off, and now he is telling me you have known Mike for a very long time, in fact you both used to be in a very serious relationship. He also said it was in your files but I never saw anything to that factor so stop bloody lying to me Lieutenant." Maxine says with some anger in her voice, Jim just stays on the couch not moving at all. He is even thrown by what Maxine is saying.
"Ma'am I didn't mention that at all, and yes Mike and I used to be together a long time ago, I went to school with his youngest sister Millie who is also one of my best friends. Regarding why it isn't in our files, that will be something you need to talk to the Brass about." Kate replies back with a cold voice, showing no emotion to Maxine.
"Don't lie to me Kate, by the time Steve has finished his investigation into me, I will make sure you are fired from the Navy and loose everything, you do not cross me, and get away with it, plus stay the fuck away from Mike he is not yours." Maxine says as she turns and walks away from Kate's house.
"What the hell is up her nose." Kate says as she walks back into the lounge area where Jim is sitting. Jim wants to ask her questions but decides to leave it for now, he can tell Kate is all worked up over things. And the last thing he wants is to have her pissed off with him with them going to her parents place tomorrow. He watches as Kate heads off to her room, she doesn't even stop and explain things to him, he is wondering how this visit home will go if her mood is going to be like it is right now.
TUESDAY
FLYNN FAMILY HOMESTEAD
"Mike is making sure that fence lasts a long time, when he said he was going to work on it I never expected him to pull everything out and replace everything." Comes from Kerry as she hangs the washing, as Mike works away on the fences.
"And he is doing the pool fence as well. I tried to give him some money but he refused. Said I had better things to spend my money on and that he had savings and was putting it to good use, he reckons." Comes from Suzy as she helps her mum hang the washing on the line.
"Sounds like Mike and yes you do have better things to spend your money on than on us honey."
"Come on mum that must be costing Mike an arm and a leg to replace, and I am sure that truck load of supplies that came is more than what is needed for just the house section and the pool fence. I don't mind helping out with the costs, I just didn't want him to feel like he had to pay for it all himself, because dad said he was paying as I tried to give dad some money as well."
"I think he is just trying to do something, take his mind off everything that is going on with him personally."
"He has sure had some shit luck with being in love hasn't he mum."
"He sure has and he's taking it real hard this time around. I think we are best to just let him do what he needs to do and if keeping busy and replacing some of our stuffed fences is his way of processing and will help him get through it all then by all means let him do it." They keep hanging out the washing watching Mike work away.
"When is she due?" she asks out of the blue, forgetting that Mike has no idea.
"Tonight, I was told they are renting a car. I've sorted the spare room for them."
"She's still bringing you know who?"
"As far as I'm aware yes."
Several hours later.
"We are going to be visiting my foster parents, they basically adopted me when I was eight years old, they helped look after me when my mother was working, she is no longer with us, but these people are like my parents, they loved me the same as my mother did, also helped their youngest daughter is also my best friend from school." Kate says to Jim as they drive towards the Flynn resident farm. She leaves out that it is Mike's parents place, she knows if she mentions it is Mike's parents he won't come, as he will be concerned regarding if Mike is there or not. She wants him to meet her family, though who helped her through her mother's illness and then passing. She goes into more details about the family, that they have four kids, and Millie is Kate's best friend.
They arrive at the family homestead, and Kate introduces them to everyone who is there, Mike though is out at present so has no idea she has arrived and Kate has no idea that he has arrived. The children are all in bed due to the hour that they have arrived.
The family is semi nice to Jim, but Kate can tell that something is up, they are being nice to him, but they aren't being normal, she can tell they are hiding something, but she isn't totally sure what it is they are hiding from her and Jim.
Early hours the following morning.
The darkness of the house is interrupted by the sound of the house phone ringing.
"Who was that?" Kerry asks as she walks into the kitchen where Paul is making himself a coffee.
"Our oldest, he needs to pick up."
"What the hell it's like 2am in the morning."
"I prefer that he rings then drives home honey." he says to him, he's not had to go collect Mike from a night out in a bloody long time.
"I know it's just he is forty-seven years old surely he would organise a taxi or something instead of waking us up."
"He has tried but Penny is home by the sounds of it as well and is causing issues."
"Do you need my help as well?"
"I should be okay, go back to bed."
"Mike you okay?" Paul ask's his son as they sit in the car.
"Can you stop asking me that all the damn bloody time." He bites back at his father.
"I keep asking because something is up, something isn't right with you. And I'm hoping that one day you will tell me what the hell is going on, you aren't yourself right now, we all can tell. You keep daydreaming, we find you in silent tears, and you're engrossing yourself in work that you do not need to do around the farm."
"Look Mike, I just want to be able to help you. I feel useless watching you going through whatever it is you're going through and not being able to help."
"Nothing you can do dad, I'm in this position because of my own choices."
"It's not all your fault son."
"Yes, it is dad, the woman I love, loves someone else more than me, all because work was a complete arse and wouldn't get me off Hammersley. So yes, this is my fault I should have walked away months ago, not a few weeks ago." He spills out to his father, for the first time Paul is hearing what he has suspected was the issue when he arrived.
"You resigned, have you?" He asks him.
"Yes, that is why I had the phone call the other day."
"Does anyone else know?" He asks, wondering if Kate knows about this.
"Nope I handed it in to Fleet Command, they approved it then I came here the following day."
"Thanks for coming and picking me up dad, I didn't plan on getting this drunk nor staying out this late." he says to his father, as they pull up at home.
"Seeing the others have partners, kids, Millie being pregnant as well and enjoying their lives hasn't helped, I contemplated going back to Cairns, but going back means going back to the dead silence of an empty home. That should be my dad, I should be with them showing off what my family is doing, what my kids are achieving at school and sports, watching them interact with their cousins and uncles and aunts, enjoying spending time with their grandparents but instead I'm on the side-lines watching it all happen, I feel like a ghost right now." Paul hears the emotion from his son, over his failed life, failed relationships.
"Then Penny showing up while out tonight didn't help matters either." He says a little bit later. The two are still sitting in the car, at the homestead.
"I had no idea she was home, I saw her parents a couple of days ago and they never mentioned her coming home, as I did tell them that you were home visiting along with the rest of the children."
"They properly told her and she has decided to make a visit without telling them, wouldn't surprise me with her. This is the longest I have been home in a long time." he replies back, they all have an agreement that when Penny is going to be home and Mike is around, they let Mike's parents know, they even let her parents know when he is home, they also do not agree with what she did to Mike many years ago, and the crap she has put him through.
"One day you two will need to get over what happened."
"I have dad she is the one who won't back the fuck off and leave me alone. She doesn't give a shit at all, even when I got a court order asking her to stay away, because she hasn't threatened me or tried to kill me. There isn't much they can do. It's just a bit of paper and totally useless."
The two talk some more and it's about four am by the time both of them get to bed.
Hours later
"Dad, what were you up to early hours this morning? I heard your car going out." Susy asks her dad when she finally sees him for the first time, having noticed he wasn't at breakfast, and neither was Mike.
"Up being a father, and dealing with your older brother." He says to her, he can tell she is shocked and surprised.
"Did he finally talk?" She asks him, she has been worried like hell for her brother ever since she got home.
"Yes, he did, give him some space he will have a very sore head today and more than likely not get up until later on, and be careful when you go out Penny is around and pass that onto the others." Suzy just rolls her eyes.
"Why can't they sort their shit out."
"Mike has tried honey; she is the one causing the issues and there's nothing that can be done." he replies back. The two talk for a few more minutes before they head off.
The family thinks Jim is okay. He isn't Mike who they know Kate loves more than Jim. Jim has already figured out that this is Mike's family, after seeing some photos of Mike in the house this morning. But there is no sign of Mike so he feels good, but he is wondering if he can handle being married to Kate if Mike is going to be around at family gatherings, and their wedding. He is enjoying seeing a more relaxed Kate, she seems to be enjoying talking to Millie about all sorts of things in general, but he never hears them talking about a wedding, this was something he thought she would talk to her best friend about.
"Aunt Kate who is that?" One of the boys asks Kate as he points to someone standing in the doorway to out the back.
"That is a nobody, and she isn't worth your time." Kate says as she gets up and walks towards the person standing in the doorway, the rest of the family have turned and Suzy has also come up behind Kate.
"Get the hell out of here." Comes from Kate, her voice so full of venom that it even throws Jim to hear her speaking like she is to this lady. Kate would prefer to swear at this person but with the kids around she holds her tongue for now. Her arms are across her chest.
"Excuse me, this isn't your family."
"It's not yours so get the fuck out of here." Comes from Suzy, backing Kate up they both hate this lady. Kate is surprised to hear Suzy swear in front of her children.
"I'm here to talk to Mike, I saw him last night and he told me to come around this afternoon."
"That's total bullshit Penny, there is no way in hell he would ask you to come around. He hates your guts." Comes from Kate, their voices have started to rise and they have woken Mike up. Of course, Penny saying Mike asked her to come around lets her know Mike is here as well.
The three stares at each other, no one saying anything, nor backing down from each other.
"Are you going to leave or not?" Comes from Kate. Hands on her hips. Having had enough of this lady being in the house.
"No not until I see Mike."
"How many times, do we have to tell you Mike doesn't ever want to see you again and id dad and mom where here they'd be kicking you out faster than what we are right now, so get the bloody hell out of here." Kate yells at her, so cross for not leaving when asked, she must have been waiting for Paul and Kerry to leave before visiting as if they were here, she would have been dragged out of the house kicking and screaming by now.
"What's all the yelling for?" Comes from a sleepy Mike as he walks towards the group. He's walked out just in a pair of shorts, no shirt on at all. His toned, tanned body on full display to everyone.
"What the hell are you doing here Penny?" Mike spits, Jim sits shocked at how they are treating this lady including Mike.
"You said to come visit today?"
"Like hell I did. Get the hell out of this house and never come back ever again."
"I'm family Mike."
"No, you are not. Now leave." He says she starts to walk towards Mike and before she can touch him Kate has grabbed her and got her arm behind her back.
"You're leaving right now." spits Kate, Jim is shocked to see what Kate is doing, and that fact she is protecting Mike.
"What the hell you can't do this to me." Penny spits back at Kate.
"Yes, I can or I will arrest your bony arse for trespassing." she bites back at Penny.
"You can't do that Kate."
"I sure can. The joys of working for the government." she says back with a bit of an evil laugh on the end. Susy grins at the laugh Kate has after saying what she has to Penny. Jim isn't sure what to take of what he has seen today.
