Charge and Mike could not take their eyes off her. "Look, Boss, she's the living image of Swain."

"Swain in drag," quipped 2Dads, and everyone laughed.

Buffer said, "Definitely Swain's daughter."

The boat docked, and tied up. Buffer and Gregory unclamped Mike's wheelchair and helped him disembark. Charge closely followed with Amy and Bomber. Chloe said, "Hello Mr Charge," and stepped forward to receive a warm hug from Charge. He introduced her to Amy, then she turned to Mike.

"Hello, Captain Flynn. Mum said I was to call you that."

Mike said, "Well, tell you what. How old are you now?"

"I'm thirteen."

"Well, young lady, I think you're old enough to call me Mike." He held his arms open and she bent over and hugged him." He said to her, "that's my Dad there." Chloe offered her hand to Gregory, and she said, "I'm pleased to meet you."

Bomber took Robert aside. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"Yes. I did. I called Sally and told her about the Boss, and she agreed to let Chloe fly up here. She goes back tomorrow."

Bomber kissed him. "Robert, that's so sweet. You are so amazing." Robert glowed with pleasure. He put his arms around Bomber.

Buffer called out, "What are we doing with these fish?"

"I'm happy to cook them for you, providing they're cleaned and gutted," Bomber offered.

"You're on," said Buffer. "Right 2Dads, when you've squared away all the gear, grab a knife and crack on." He turned to the group, "BBQ at my place. See you all there."

The impending storm was closing in, so everyone hurried for their cars, to drive to Buffer and Nikki's.

Chloe's Story.

Chloe Blake was not used to all the attention she was receiving. Nikki had smothered her in a huge hug upon learning who she was, and everyone seemed so excited to see her.

She found a place between Gregory and Robert. She turned to Gregory, and said, "You're Captain Mike's Dad?"

Gregory said, "Indeed I am, Miss Blake. Can I get you some food?"

"No thank you, I just want to sit here for a bit. All those people are freaking me out," Chloe said.

Robert explained, "All of us here served on the Hammersley with Captain Flynn and your Dad. We all miss your Dad a lot still."

"Oh so do I, although I was a little kid when he died. Mum still has his picture on the wall, and Captain Mike told me heaps about him."

Gregory leant forward so he could hear her over the background noise. Chloe was telling him and Robert the little she could remember about her dad, then she went on to talk about all that Mike had done for her.

"He emails us each week, and I tell him how I am going in school, and how Mum is going at work. Captain Mike helped Mum get a job, and I go to a private school in Brisbane. He rings me for my birthday, and Christmas, and he came down to my school for Dads and kids' day. He gave a great talk about the Navy. I'm going to join when I leave school, but Mum says I have to get good marks in Year 12. I've joined the Navy Cadets already. Captain Mike says Dad would be proud to know I'm joining the Navy, but it's all I want to do, Mr Flynn. I'm doing it in my Dad's memory."

Gregory said, "I said the same thing to Mike when he was joining the Navy. I would only sign the papers if he got good results in Year 12. And my dear, it's lovely you want to join the Navy in memory of your father, but don't forget, it must be something you will really like to do as well."

"It is, Mr Flynn. I either want to be a medic like my dad, or join as a pilot. Captain Mike is putting money aside for me. It's called the Hammersley Fund, and he set it up for a trust for me when I leave school."

Robert said, "I know quite a few of Swain's former crewmates who contribute to that fund. Captain Flynn set it up after your dad's funeral. He didn't want to see you or your mum lack for anything."

Chloe continued, "We haven't. Mum and I have been so well looked after. Then we found out that Captain Mike had been in hospital, badly hurt, and Mum said, now it was our turn to do something for Captain Mike. So I came up to see him after talking with Robert, and I want to do something for him."

Chloe stood up, and took a deep breath, preparing herself to speak. Seeing this, Gregory clapped his hands to gain some silence. He said, "Miss Blake has something she wants to say. Would you all please be quiet and let her speak."

Looking over at Mike, Chloe said: "I don't know you all, but I understand that you are all Dad's friends and you were with him on the Hammersley. My Mum and I miss my dad, but it's great that all Dad's friends didn't forget him. Captain Mike, you have done so much for us, and now it's my turn to do something for you. I want to say thank you so much for all the emails, phone calls, school visits and gifts you have given me. I want to say thank you for looking out for Mum and me, and for the Hammersley Trust Fund you set up for me. I want you to know that I am going to join the Navy when I leave school, it's all I've ever wanted to do, and I'm sure my dad would be pleased too. Captain Mike, you have been so good to us, and now it's our turn to be good to you. Mum and I were sad to hear you'd been hurt, and we would like you to have this gift from us with our love."

Chloe picked up a large square object, wrapped in tissue with a card attached. She walked over to Mike, hugged him and put the gift on his lap. He opened it, and tears came to his eyes as he looked at a picture of himself and Swain taken onboard Hammersley. He remembered Kate taking that photo while they were having a BBQ on the boat deck after a patrol. He held the framed photo up and there was clapping and cheering from all present. Charge blew his nose loudly and Buffer stood silent, remembering his friend. 2Dads, standing next to Charge, flung an arm around his shoulders and said, "We've never forgotten Swain, mate. Nor ever will."

Robert had produced a camera, and photos of Mike with Chloe, and Chloe with Swain's Hammersley crewmates were taken.

The BBQ was drawing to a close, and Gregory asked Chloe if she had somewhere to stay. She said she might be staying with Robert and Bomber. Gregory said, "I think they're staying with Mike. You are welcome to come stay with me and my wife. Would you like that?"

"Yes please, Mr. Flynn. Can I call my Mum? I want to tell her all about today."

"Certainly." Gregory went to Buffer to say his goodbyes and thank him for the good day out. Then he told Mike he was going home, and he'd see him on Monday for his appointments. Gregory leant down and spoke so only Mike could hear, "Son, I'm very proud of you."

Mike returned his father's hug, and he too, left, accompanied by Robert and Bomber.

Gregory arrived home with Chloe, and called out to Amelia; "I'm home! And we have a guest."

Amelia came bustling in from the backyard, where she had been watering the garden, and caught sight of the teenager. She smiled enquiringly and Gregory said, "Amelia, I'd like you to meet Miss Chloe Blake. Miss Blake, this is my wife, Amelia."

"Hello Mrs. Flynn. My Dad sailed with Captain Mike on the Hammersley."

Amelia's face showed a mixture of welcome, and sympathy, for she knew who Chloe's father was. "Welcome, my dear, we are pleased to have you stay with us. Come and have something to eat."

While she was eating, Chloe retold her story to Amelia.