Kate woke the next morning to a strong pair of arms around her waist. She smiled to herself. It wasn't a dream.
Her and Mike had talked until the early hours of the morning, wrapped in each others arms. They were both so at ease in the others company, they had worked as partners together for so long and the trust they had built in that relationship transferred off ship too.
She rolled over and caressed his cheek, running her fingers across his forehead. Where frown lines often appeared aboard the ship, in his sleep, his features were much more relaxed. Her fingers trailed around the side of his face to his strong chin, and up to his lips. Mike Flynn had the most beautiful full lips she had seen. Or maybe it was just on him that she found them beautiful. The way they would curl up when he was trying not to laugh, or trying to make her laugh. How they would pout when he was concentrating. Or maybe the memory of them on her body is what made them so beautiful.
She gently run her thumb across his bottom lip. She hadn't realised he had woken and was watching with his eyes half opened as she focused intently on his features. She was startled as he kissed her thumb, to which she giggled nervously.
"Good morning beautiful" he said as he pulled her body closer to his, before rolling onto his back, bringing her on top of him, their lips millimetres apart.
"Morning Sailor" she grinned down at him as he chuckled.
"Well, that was the best night sleep I've had in a long time" he admitted as his hands lazily stroked her back and sides.
"Hmm, me too." She admitted as she rubbed her nose gently against his.
They were broken from their focus on each other by the sound of his phone ringing.
Mike groaned as Kate reached out to grab it for him, 'Maxine' she read on the screen, before passing it to him.
"Mike Flynn." He said, bringing the phone to his ear.
Kate rolled off him, resting against his side.
"Really, Max?" he groaned.
Kate listened to Mike's side of the conversation, her finger tips tracing a pattern in the middle of his chest.
"That won't work, Maxine. I have a meeting with you in an hour that I'm not willing to cancel."
She angled her chin up to him watching as his jaw tightened.
"Maxine!" Mike exclaimed "Contact Commander Marshall then. I refuse to sail Hammersley without having my meeting with you this morning."
Kate raised her eyebrows at the tone Mike was taking.
"I will be there in 30 minutes Commander White, Lieutenant McGregor will also be accompanying me." Mike abruptly ended the call and groaned loudly. Slamming his phone on the bed.
"Mike…?" Kate started
"She's trying to crash sail us."
"Okay…?" Kate asked.
"I told her we weren't going out until I was able to meet with her."
"I heard…"
"I think she does know about us, Kate. I get the feeling that's why she crash sailed us."
Kate smiled to herself.
"I know, I know. You told me last night."
Kate pecked his cheek quickly, before getting up out of bed. "I hear we're meeting her in 30 minutes, so…"
"You shower, I'll make coffee. I have whites in the car." He told her.
Kate smiled and turned to her ensuite.
"Oh and Kate?"
Kate turned to face him again "Hmm?"
"I forgot how stunning you are first thing in the morning" he grinned at her, before rolling out of bed.
Kate blushed furiously before shaking her head, turning back to the en-suite.
The pair quickly got ready, Kate packing a bag to take on-board Hammersley, if they were still being crash sailed.
"Kate!" Mike called from the front door, one coffee in each hand. "We're going to be late."
"I'm coming!" she called back as she ran down the stairs, stopping in front of him long enough to grab her coffee and quickly kiss his cheek before making her way out to his car.
Mike grinned to himself at the familiarity of their actions as he walked to the car/
As he buckled his seatbelt, he noticed Kate bouncing her legs. She was nervous. He pulled out of the drive way and onto the road before placing his hand on her thigh, catching her eye briefly before turning back to the road.
"It's going to be okay, Kate." He said softly.
She grasped his hand and nodded, before staring out the window.
"I promise you that I won't allow this to destroy your career, or your goals. I'm in your corner Kate." He continued.
She bit her lip and gently ran her other hand up and down his arm. "Mike, I don't want you to have to sacrifice your career for mine… I don't want you to have something to resent me for…"
"Kate…" Mike interrupted her face paced ranting. "I love you. I'm in love with you. Let me support you. Let me support our future, okay?" He said as he pulled up at NAVCOM.
He turned to face her. "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be." She responded.
The pair made their way into the building, heading for the elevator. As the elevator door closed before them, Mike looked sideways at Kate, taking in her rigid stance. He gently placed his hand on her back and felt as she slowly started to relax. As the numbers on the elevator screen got higher, Kate's back muscles softened beneath his touch.
Just before the door was set to open, she looked at him and smiled gently. "Thanks."
He nodded in response and removed his hand as the door began to open. They walked out together, making their way down the hallway to Maxine's office.
Mike reached forward and knocked, hearing Maxine's immediate response "Come in."
As they opened the door, Mike and Kate saw that their meeting was no longer just with Maxine, but Commander Marshall and Commander Sanders were also in attendance.
Kate and Mike quickly glanced at each other before greeting the Commanding officers.
Commander White gestured for them to sit and they did, sitting opposite from the NAVCOM crew.
"Captain Flynn, Lieutenant Commander McGregor; to what do we owe the pleasure of your complete refusal of direct orders." Maxine asked the pair, looking expectedly between them.
"Ma'am, I had a meeting organised with you this morning, and I believed it was imperative that that meeting went ahead, prior to heading back out to sea for an undisclosed period of time."
"And Captain, what could possibly be more important that the safety of your country's shores?" She asked with a quipped brow.
Kate knew Mike's jaw would already be clenched.
"I needed to inform you of the request I wish to make to secure a shore posting, for good." He said, an edge of frustration in his tone.
"And that couldn't wait until after this patrol?" She countered.
"No, Commander White. It couldn't wait."
She raised her eyebrows before looking to the men on either side of her.
"And yourself Lieutenant Commander McGregor, what is so important that you needed to share, that you at the last minute became a part of Captain Flynn's meeting with me?"
"Maxine." Mike exclaimed angrily.
"Ma'am!" She corrected, in a raised voice.
"I…" Kate began, before being interrupted by Mike.
"My request for a shore posting is because I wish to pursue a relationship with Kate, Ma'am. I wish to remove the only barrier that is standing in the way of our relationship, which is the fact that I keep getting put back on board Hammersley."
"Captain Flynn" Commander Marshall began. "I shouldn't need to remind you that it is against navy rules and regulations to have relations with a member of your crew."
"We're well aware of the rules and regulations Sir" Mike said, in a much more reasonable tone. "Those rules haven't been broken since Kate stepped on board Hammersley 5 years ago."
"They weren't broken since Kate stepped on board Hammersley? What about prior to that, Lieutenant Commander McGregor?" Maxine asked, as she narrowed her eyes at Kate.
"Ma'am, Captain Flynn and I had a brief relationship when I was at ADFA and he was an instructor. Neither of us realised when we first met that the other was Navy."
"So you've broken the non-fraternisation rule."
"Yes, 11 years ago…" Kate began to explain, before being interrupted by Maxine.
"There are serious ramifications for fraternisation, Lieutenant Commander McGregor. You graduated top of your class, isn't that correct?" Maxine asked.
"That is correct, Ma'am."
"All the while having an inappropriate relationship with your superior."
"At the time…" Mike started.
"I wasn't asking you Captain Flynn." Maxine interrupted again.
"Yes, Ma'am. I was having an inappropriate relationship with one of my instructors." Kate confirmed.
"And in the last 5 years Lieutenant Commander McGregor?" Maxine asked, her voice clipped.
"In the last 5 years ma'am, we have both tried to ignore our feelings for one another." Kate began, looking at Mike who gave her a small smile.
Mike continued "Kate's right, Ma'am, Sir" he continued, nodding at his supervisors. "We have ignored our feelings for each other, but now. Now we've both had enough of supressing our emotions just to stay on patrol."
"You didn't answer my question Lieutenant Commander McGregor." Maxine spat, seemingly ignoring the previous responses.
"Don't you dare speak to her like that, Maxine" Mike leant forward in his chair.
"Captain Flynn" Maxine roared "You are out of line."
"Commander Marshall, Commander Sanders… I believe this meeting is unable to be held amicably with Commander White. I need to disclose that I have recently found out that Commander White's 19 year old son is biologically my son."
Maxine stood up abruptly, slamming her hands on the desk. "Mike!" she exclaimed, her eyes burning in fury.
Mike continued "I don't believe she has the capacity to stay impartial in this instance, and I will not allow her to continue to reprimand Lieutenant Commander McGregor for something that we both have done."
Commander Marshall cleared his throat "Maxine, maybe you should go and get yourself a coffee" he commanded.
Huffing slightly, Maxine left the room, closing the door behind her louder than necessary.
"Mike. Kate. I have a great deal of respect for the two of you, both individually and as a team on patrol. Have you taken this relationship on board?"
"No, Sir." They both answered.
"Mike, I know you've had multiple shore postings in the last 5 years, some very short, others slightly longer."
Mike nodded.
"Have you had relations during those shore postings?"
"Yes, Sir. We have." Mike confirmed.
"Okay."
Commander Marshall looked at Commander Sanders and ever so slightly shrugged a shoulder.
"Lieutenant Commander McGregor, do you believe the two of you serving aboard Hammersley whilst being in an on-off relationship has compromised your ability to serve effectively."
"Sir, recently it has become increasingly difficult to be aboard Hammersley, but only because we've been trying for so long to change our situation, so that the rules no longer apply." Kate begun. "But it has never…" she stopped.
"Lieutenant Commander McGregor?" Commander Sanders prompted.
"Sir, last year when we believed Captain Flynn had died in the submarine explosion… We broke the rules. It's just occurred to me."
"How so Lieutenant Commander?"
"I uhhh… we all thought Mike was dead. I watched as the submarine exploded. We boarded Cavenaugh's boat… I found Mike, I untied him and we kissed then. Sorry, Sir." Kate looked down at her lap.
"Did anyone see this exchange?"
"No, Sir."
"Thank you for your honesty, Kate" Marshall said. "Mike, I know you've been requesting shore postings for some time now, explain to us the reason for these requests."
"Sir, the only thing standing in the way of Kate and I being together… getting married… having a family… is Hammersley. I love Hammersley, I have always loved being out at sea, but I love Kate more. I've gotten to the point in my life where that is so much more important to me than running a ship."
"I see" the older gentleman acknowledged, before looking at Sanders.
"And McGregor? How do you feel about this situation?"
"Sir, I've learnt to love being on a small ship. But it has also caused me a lot of heartache. I too wish to transfer to a shore posting. I don't want to spend months at a time away from Mike after the years we have spent trying to avoid each other."
"The navy is losing two of their best sailors to shore postings? And one of the greatest commanding officer and executive officer relationship?" Marshall asked.
Mike and Kate looked at each other and smiled softly.
Commander Marshall observed the exchange before breaking them from their reverie. "Captain, Lieutenant Commander; if you don't mind waiting out in the hall for a few minutes, I believe Commander Sanders and I have something to discuss."
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After sitting in silence for 15 minutes, Kate couldn't take it any longer.
"What do you think they're going to say" Kate whispered as she stared at the wall ahead.
They were sitting side by side on the plastic chairs in the hallway, Mike had his hand on the chair between them as his pinky finger gently caressed her thigh.
"Sweetheart, I don't know."
"I shouldn't have told them about Cavanaughs boat." She whispered, resting her head against the wall behind her.
"It's okay, Kate… you were being honest. We said we would be honest." He tried to comfort her.
"But what if I've ruined everything" she said, turning her head to look at him.
He noticed the tears that had pooled in her eyes.
"Oh, Kate…" he said softly. "You can't have ruined everything. Everything is us."
She bit her lip and looked up to the ceiling, trying to stop the tears from falling.
"McGregor, Flynn" came Commander Marshalls voice from the doorway.
Kate looked at Mike, who nodded at her. She stood up and he begun to follow her in, before Marshall stopped him in the doorway. "Mighty Mike Flynn, you really are a big softy" he whispered as he nudged him with his elbow. Mike blushed furiously before sitting beside Kate again.
"Sanders and I have discussed this, to be honest Mike and Kate, I have had my suspicions that the pair of you had had some form of relationship at some point." He confessed. "However, you have managed to uphold navy rules and regulations since both working aboard the navy ship, and for that we are grateful." He continued "At this point in time, we cannot offer either of you a shore posting as we need Hammersley in action, however we wish to propose that you both stay on board with the promise of one, if not both of you receiving a shore posting within 6 months."
"Sir…" Mike interrupted, not exactly thrilled with what was being offered.
"Mike, the conditions would be that you are able to pursue a relationship off the ship within this time without repercussion, and I will make it my personal mission to find replacements for the both of you."
Mike and Kate looked at each, communicating with their eyes.
"Sir, thank you. We appreciate your offer."
"You will need to disclose your relationship to a senior member of your crew, I will be present when this occurs. This crew member needs to agree that they will report to me immediately if they believe your relationship is effecting either of your ability to fulfil your roles. Do you have anyone in mind?"
"Swain." They said in unison.
Commander Marshall looked at them and shook his head, with a smile.
"Sorry, Sir. Petty Officer Chris Blake, our coxswain and medic."
"Very well, Lieutenant Commander McGregor you may be dismissed, Flynn can I speak to you for a moment please?"
"Thank you, Sir." Kate said as Mike handed her the keys.
As she was about to walk out the door, Commander Marshall called out "McGregor, Hammersley is sailing in 1 hour. You had better start calling in your crew."
"Sir." She nodded and walked out to Mike's car.
"Flynn, this development with Commander White, is it going to be an issue?" Marshall asked.
"Sir, it's not an issue for me, unless she treats Kate with a lack of respect."
"Mike, I think any further communication between NAVCOM and Hammersley should be with me primarily, Commander White will be informed of the happenings via email. If at any point you feel the treatment of Lieutenant Commander McGregor to be out of line, please let me know."
"Thank you, Sir."
"You're dismissed Flynn. I will meet you down at the docks at 0900 hours where I will discuss with your coxswain."
"Thanks again, Sir." Mike nodded as he stood and begun to walk towards the door.
"Oh, Sir?" Mike asked, turning and walking back toward his superiors.
"Yes?"
"I uh, I have my grandmothers ring, to give to Kate. I'm not planning on waiting until we're both off the ship." He said, boldly.
Commander Marshall chuckled to himself. "And there's the cowboy behaviour back in full force."
Mike grinned at the statement, understanding it to be the approval he wasn't necessarily waiting for, but grateful for nonetheless.
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