HMAS Hammersley. Third Day – First Watch.
Kate handed over to her XO and descended to her cabin. She opened her laptop and logged into her emails. She saw one from her father; while that pleased her, she felt sad at the continued silence from Mike. Is this the end? Does he really want me to leave him? She pushed the thoughts from her mind and opened the email from her father.
"Katie, mo ghaoil, I hope this finds you in good spirits. I guessed that you were on Hammersley, and I also guessed that things with Mike aren't all that good. Your silence on that matter spoke volumes, Katie.
Anyway, I'm letting you know that I've sorted out the business here, and I plan to fly back to Cairns with the wee girl. She's had a wonderful time, and she actually said that she misses her daddy. That's a good sign, isn't it? We should be back in Cairns by Sunday evening. Jessica says she loves you Mummy, and she has a new song for you.
Well have a safe patrol, mo ghaoil, I'm looking forward to seeing you when you return. So is Jessica. Don't forget to sing Katie.
All my love,
Dad.
Kate smiled inwardly. So, he knows something is wrong after all, I could never hide anything from him, smart old fox.
She replied to her father, showered, and climbed into her rack.
Forenoon Watch.
David lightly tapped on Kate's door. She opened the door, fully dressed and ready for the day.
"Top o' the mornin' to ye, Ma'am," David said cheerily. Kate decided on a jovial response. "And the rest of the day to ye, X. What can I do for you?"
"Well, aside from having some breakfast, there's a call from NAVCOM. Cmdr Marshall."
"I'll take it here," said Kate. She turned back into her cabin, and picked up the handset. "LCDR McGregor-Flynn."
"Kate, good morning," the Commander's gruff tone came through. "Have you reached that gas-rig yet?"
"I have an ETA of just over 90 minutes, sir. What activity are we looking for?"
Steve conveyed the nature of the activity, then said he would be looking in on Mike later. "Want me to give him a message?"
"No." Kate was abrupt. "No, sir."
If Steve was taken aback, he did not give anything away. He merely said, "Fair winds, Kate," and ended the call.
Kate went to breakfast, and asked the X to join her in the officers' mess. She brought him up to speed on the nature of the activity they were looking for, and told him to prepare and brief the RHIB crew. Before going to the bridge, Kate went back to her cabin. She wanted to read the day's signals brought to her by her RO while she was having her breakfast. As she glanced through the signals, her eye fell on her computer screen which was advising of new incoming emails. She saw it.
An unopened email under the name, "Flynn, Mike."
Kate,
I cannot excuse my behaviour towards you before you left. I was a complete bastard to you; you certainly did not deserve to have me yell at you like I did. Robert and Bomber are here, and Robert opened up to me about his childhood. No wonder he is like he is Kate, growing up with an alcoholic abusive father. Robert said something interesting Kate; he said preferred to care for someone who is disabled than a drunk. He went on to say how a lot of disabled people do succeed in life, and he listed a few. Kate, I am so ashamed. You see, I was so frightened that you would abandon me if I ended up permanently disabled. I was making an effort to walk again quickly because I was told that if I hadn't improved within twelve months after the accident, then my condition would be permanent. All I could see was the end of my Navy career, and yours being ended because you'd have to be my carer, as well as Jessica's mother. I'm scared, Kate, so scared, and I am so ashamed at myself for the way I have acted toward you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? I don't want you to leave; I love you. And I will keep making every effort I can to walk again, but if I do stay like I am now, I need to know you will stay with me. I love you and I love Jessica. Once again, I am so sorry for being such a mongrel to you.
All my love,
Mike.
Kate sat in front of the screen, with tears in her eyes. She heard the pipe "CO to the bridge." Resolutely, she dried her eyes, turned to the computer and replied:
Mike,
For better, for worse, in sickness and in health. Remember?
No, I'm not leaving you now, or ever so get that silly idea out of your head.
All is forgiven, I understand now how scared you are, and it was the fear shouting at me, not you.
Love,
Kate.
Kate closed her computer, and strode out of her cabin to the bridge.
Cairns.
Mike and Robert were playing chess in early evening twilight. In his Hammersley days Robert was often seen with a chess game open during a watch. Mike now asked him about it, what is it about chess he liked?
"Well, it challenges your thinking, you have to think a couple of moves ahead, try to work out your opponent's moves, and plan a strategy. It is a form of war, I suppose," Robert said, as he moved to take one of Mike's pieces.
"Hmmm, didn't see that coming," said Mike as he looked over his chess pieces.
"Well, sir, you had quite a few scenarios like that onboard Hammersley. What did you do then?" Robert was studying the chess board, planning his moves.
"Depends on the situation, sometimes we'd pull back and rethink the plan; or go outside the square and conduct different evolutions, like a 'graunch' boarding." Mike saw the opportunity and captured Robert's bishop.
"Other times, you'd see the evolution through, regardless of what was thrown at you." Mike looked at Robert. "I have been thinking about things that people have been telling me about their lives; Dad, you, Charge, it's speaking to me, Robert. It's like in telling their stories, they want me to know something."
"I think people are saying, keep on going, even when it's tough. See the evolution through, regardless of what is thrown at you."
"Thank you, Robert."
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"Checkmate." Robert held up Mike's king with a look of triumph on his face.
Bomber appeared and asked about dinner. It was agreed to give Bomber the night off, and get some Thai from their usual restaurant. Bomber and Robert went to pick it up, and Mike thought he'd check his emails. He was hoping there was a response to his morning email.
He was not disappointed. Kate's reply had come through.
He responded with three words.
"I love you."
Bomber and Robert returned with the Thai meal. Robert had thoughtfully provided a bottle of the best Chardonnay he could find. Bomber kissed him and said, "Robert, you are wonderful!"
The three of them settled down to eat and enjoy the wine. Mike said to Bomber, "How are you enjoying serving aboard Canberra?"
Bomber laughed and said, "It's heaps different to Hammersley, sir," and she told Mike some stories of life as a cook on one of the biggest ships in the Fleet.
It was a happy evening, and Mike soon felt tired, and told his two guests he would turn in. He wheeled himself to his room, as Robert returned from the room he and Bomber were occupying. He had a book in his hand. He said, "LCDR McGregor-Flynn said you like classical literature. I've brought Ulysses with me. I thought you might like to borrow it."
"That's very thoughtful of you, Robert. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, sir."
Charge and Amy were having dinner with Buffer and Nikki. The twins took an instant liking to Charge, and he had both sitting on his knees. Amy laughed when she saw that. "You're a kid magnet, Andy!"
Charge asked his old friend, "How are you enjoying fatherhood, mate?"
"Next to Nikki, the best thing that ever happened. I love these little rugrats."
Buffer turned to the subject of Mike. He said to Charge, "It was one of my employees that hit Mike that day. Bastard was as drunk as a skunk behind the wheel. He hit Mike, then drove off. I punched crap out of him when I caught up with him, and turned him into the cops. I don't care what happens to him."
"Shit," said Charge.
"Oh, that's not all. When he was arrested, I found out he had a police record. Previous convictions for drink-driving. I wouldn't have hired him had I known."
Charge refilled his glass. "Mate, you can't blame yourself for that."
Buffer nodded. "Yeah. Nikki and I feel we need to get around Mike, and Kate, and support them through this. Mike's had a rough time of it. He came close to dying, and he's recovering well, given the injuries he copped. He's frustrated that he isn't walking yet, and I think he's worried that he never will; he'll lose his career if he doesn't walk. He doesn't want to be a burden to Kate, either."
"More to life than the Navy, mate," Charge took a drink out of his glass.
"You know that, and I know that, but it's something that Mike hasn't come to terms with yet. I think fear is driving him, and at the same time, slowing his progress."
"Let's get him out on your boat, and give him a good time. Unless, of course, you're planning to drown him."
"Thanks mate. Your confidence in my seamanship is overwhelming."
