Thanks to everyone for the reviews of this story. Judging by the comments, at least one of you will like how the story goes this chapter

Saturday 2 May 2015

Peter had arrived home yesterday. Dylan and Kate had welcomed him back at the wharf and helped him pack up his belongings from his cabin before they drove home together. Nikki had joined them for dinner and the four had had an enjoyable evening.

Pete had some news, which told them all over dinner. He told them that he had been picked for a new position that was opening up at Fleet Base West. Instead of being assigned permanently, well for two years or so, to a single ship, he would be in a backup role, going to sea to cover positions when the usual senior sailor was sick or on leave or training. It would probably mean spending a little less time at sea but would see him serve on a variety of ships instead. When not at sea, he would work in office roles at the base, perhaps doing some training.

The other three had congratulated Pete on his new role and they had spent some time discussing what it would mean for him, and about how all four of them would be able to see more of each other.

Dylan had been in contact with Pete via email not long after Kate told him about Pete's concerns and had apologised for his behaviour prior to Pete's sailing. When the two had met again yesterday, it seemed that the air had been cleared between them – Pete had greeted Dylan with his usual male hug and punch to Dylan's shoulder. Kate and Nikki had each received a gentler version of his greeting.

The three had all slept in this morning and were now having a late breakfast out on the terrace. Kate had prepared savoury French toast for them, which both men had enjoyed. Knowing what was coming up, Kate was tense and hadn't been able to eat much, feeling each mouthful choke her as she swallowed. After finishing their toast, they were sitting around the table, sipping coffees, when Kate started the conversation. She'd been dreading this discussion, but realised that it wasn't fair to Pete, or to Dylan, to delay it, and the sooner they had 'the talk' the better it would be all round.

"Pete," she paused and wet her lips before continuing, "So, you know how you and I were before you left?

"Mmmm?" Pete glanced at Dylan, who looked back to him with a slight smile on his face.

"Well, it seems that we weren't as discreet as we thought we were. Just after you left, Dylan told me that he knew what we'd been doing."

"Ah" said Pete, glancing apprehensively at Dylan. "I, uh, I hope that that's not a problem."

"Well, that's going to depend on you somewhat." replied Kate. "You see, since you've been away, Dutchy and I have been well … ah." Kate's voice trailed off.

Dylan took up the story, "You see mate, Kate and I have been enjoying some time together, just like you and she did since January. We talked about it and decided that we wanted to tell you this to your face. It's not really the sort of thing to put in an email."

Pete's face fell, and the corners of his generous mouth turned down. With downcast eyes he said in a very quiet voice, "Oh. I suppose you want me to move out then?"

"No!" "Not at all" came the responses from Dylan and Kate. Pete looked between both of them, a confused expression on his face.

"But, if you two are getting together, surely you won't want me hanging around?"

Dylan continued "You see Pete, it's like this. I've always had feelings for Kate. She's the one I told you about, who it wasn't appropriate for me to have a relationship with."

"Kate, not that junior sailor - Jess?" asked Pete.

"Yep – never Jess. Only Kate." Dylan confirmed "And then I behaved like an ass towards both of you after I realised that you two were sleeping together. I couldn't say it in my email to you Pete, but frankly I was jealous – totally consumed with hating the pair of you for a little while for what you had between you that I wanted and didn't have. Until Kate forced me to talk to her one morning and we had things out."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that there was a reason for how you were behaving before I left. I've got to admit, at one point just before I sailed, I was wondering if you were going to thump me – you were really aggressive towards me."

"Yeah, I'm not proud of how I behaved then, towards you especially, but also towards Kate. I was pretty horrible to her as well," responded Dylan.

"I've forgiven him, and I hope you can too." said Kate to Pete.

"Already forgiven." Pete paused and then continued. "Just wondering Dutchy. It's not particularly relevant, but what gave us away?" asked Pete.

"A touch of insomnia I had for a week or so back then. I couldn't sleep one night, and I got up to go and have a swim to see if that would help, or at least tire me out. It must have been about midnight. I saw you going to Kate's room. Her door's across the yard from mine – I could clearly see the door opening, and you going in. And then another night, I went to the kitchen and could hear sounds from your room, and it was kind of obvious what the noises were. I was pretty sure that there was only the three of us in the house that night."

"Ah. Fair enough." Pete nodded. "I still don't see where this conversation is going though." he added, a frown creasing his forehead.

"It's all my fault," said Kate. "Dylan and I have been talking while you've been away. Obviously, he has the advantage of you, because he knows about you and I and we've been able to talk about the whole situation. You haven't known about he and I until now and we've kind of hit you with it full on. Anyway – I find that I really care for both of you, and not just as friends, like I've kidded myself over this last year. I've tried, believe me, I've tried," she stressed, "But I can't make up my mind about one of you over the other. It's stupid of me I know, and not at all satisfactory but there it is. Dylan's been great since I told him that I couldn't decide – he's been hugely patient and understanding these past weeks and hasn't pushed me to make a choice between you." Kate paused here to take breath and have a mouthful of her coffee.

Pete thought over Kate's words for a little while before carefully asking "So, just where do you see things going then Kate?"

"Well, I've been thinking about this lots over the last month. I've done a bit of internet searching, looking to see if there was something that would help me make a decision. You know me – research and planning. You see, I'd been thinking that I needed to choose one or other of you."

"Certainly, that's the usual thing to do." commented Pete. "But I get the feeling that's not what you're going to suggest."

Kate smiled at him before continuing, "Anyway, I found that there's this thing called a 'V' relationship. Imagine the letter 'V'," Kate gestured a 'V' shape in the air with her hand, "with me at the base as the connection and each of you as one side of the 'V' shape. I'd have two relationships, one with Dylan and one with you. Each of you would spend separate nights with me together as a couple, and some nights on your own. I'd have a night alone too occasionally; a girl's got to sleep sometimes after all." Kate smiled at both men. "We could have date nights and other time together – some of the time with just one of you and me, and other times with all three of us together. To use your words, it's not a usual thing to do, but frankly I can't imagine going ahead in my life without both of you beside me."

Pete digested what Kate had said before turning and asking Dylan "And what do you think of Kate's proposal mate?"

"Well Pete, it's taken a bit of getting used to the idea," replied Dylan. "Since Kate first mentioned it, I've done a fair bit of thinking. I can't say that it's a typical solution to the issue, but I'm not going to hold it against Kate that she can't choose between us. After all, imagine anyone having to choose between two such good looking blokes as you and me?" He grinned as he said his last comment.

Pete snorted in response to Dylan's words. "Well, it's a bit of a surprise I must admit. It's not the sort of thing I thought I'd be coming back to. I'd been thinking about things too, while I've been away." Pete turned back and spoke his next words to Kate, "I really enjoyed our time together since New Year's. And I've certainly been hoping that we could resume our relationship when I got back. I hadn't thought about sharing you with Dylan here. It's going to take a bit of thinking about things. I really can't give you an answer now."

"I understand. Dylan had to think about it too." replied Kate "All I'm asking is that you consider it. At least you haven't rejected it totally."

Sunday 3 May 2015 - next day

Pete had spent most of yesterday in his room. He had joined Kate and Dylan for lunch and dinner but had been distracted, clearly thinking about the proposal. By mutual agreement, neither Kate nor Dylan had brought the subject up with Pete. He had joined them this morning for breakfast, showing signs of having had little sleep last night. His eyes were red and he hadn't shaved properly this morning. Kate had heard him moving about outside at one point in the night but, having checked who it was, and that it wasn't an intruder, she decided to leave him alone with his thoughts.

Around lunch time Pete said that he wanted to speak to Kate and Dylan. Once again, the three went out onto the terrace, their preferred gathering spot. Each had a coffee, and Dylan also carried a plate of ANZAC biscuits for sharing. Kate and Dylan sat at the table; Pete put his coffee on the table but remained standing, pacing back and forth across the terrace.

Eventually he began to speak, "You know, when I was away at sea this last month, I was thinking about you Kate. Remembering the fun we'd had over the months since New Year's. Thinking about what might happen when I got back." Pete looked at Kate before continuing, "I've gotta admit – this wasn't what I thought might happen. It's taken a bit of thinking about and considering. I needed to think about sharing you and how I feel about that." Pete laughed briefly and stopped his pacing to have a drink of his coffee before resuming. "Long story short, I'm willing to give this V relationship a try. I can't deny that it'll be something different, but it means that I would still have a chance of a relationship with you. And that's something I do want."

"Oh Pete," Kate stood up and kissed and hugged him. "Thank you."

Dylan got up and also hugged Pete but refrained from kissing him. "Thanks mate."

When the hugs were finished, all three sat back down at the table. Pete looked at both Kate and Dylan and asked, "So where do we go from here?"

"Well, I suppose that we have to think about arrangements – deciding nights together and things like that." replied Kate. "Or we can just play things by ear. I just want to be fair to both of you. And the one thing that we'll have to remember is to talk with each other. All three of us – talking about our feelings. Should be interesting. It's not something I've done much of, and I'm not very good at sharing that sort of thing, but clearly things will have to change." Kate smiled, as did Dylan and Pete.