The crew would be meeting at their favourite pub as they always did their first night in port.

ET said a quick, casual goodbye to Nikki, asking her if he'll see her later at the pub.

The first night of leave always meant drinking, pool, drinking, and rowdiness. This group really enjoyed each other's company, they were a very close crew.

At 7:00 Charge and Buffer, arrive at the pub, right behind Chefo and Spider. ET wanders in around 7:20 with Nav coming in shortly after. They were all sitting at a large table, relaxing, telling tales, enjoying their drinks and kicking up a ruckus. ET and Charge took up a game of pool. ET was trying not to keep looking at Nikki. She was doing the same.

Around 8:30, Kate showed up and then Mike a bit after that. They joined in for a drink then begged off, leaving separately and then meeting for a quiet dinner date. They wanted to try and sort things out between them.

When Josh finished his pool game, he asked Nikki if she wanted to have a drink, and they found a table close to the others.

"Did you notice X and the Boss?" Nikki said, smiling conspiratorially.

"I saw them, what of it?"

" It's the way they looked at each other right before they left—sort of like we do," she said chuckling.

" You think there's something there?"

"I do", still grinning. "We had better be careful if that is what we look like."

" It's not like I can help it," Josh replied sheepishly.

The following day was Josh and Nikki's planned outing to Josephine Falls, 75 km south of Cairns and near the Town of Mirriwinni. They were comfortable that they wouldn't be spotted there, they just needed to be careful getting out of the city.

Up at 7 am, Josh packed his backpack and added his board shorts. Throwing his dive gear in the trunk of his steel silver Sebring Convertible, he was ready to head over to Nikki's by 8:00.

Josh shared a rented Navy house with two other Sailors from different postings. Because of sea schedules, it was unusual for them all to be there at the same time. This, however, was one of those times. To further protect himself and Nikki, he told them that he was headed north to Palm Cove to do some diving.

Nikki was renting a townhouse, off base, on Cairns' north side not too far from the beaches. Josh called her when he was 5 mins out so she would have the garage ready for him to pull in. Never could be too careful.

Getting out of the car, Nikki was waiting by the door into her house.

"Hi," she greeted him with a smile. She was dressed for hiking in a lightweight top and shorts.

"Hey," a quick hug.

"Would you like some breakfast?"

" How about we get out of town and stop outside the city," Josh suggested.

"Perfect!"

"Be sure to bring your swimmer. There's a great swimming hole there" Josh being an avid hiker along with his love of diving, has explored a lot of the area around Cairns.

"Got it, all set then."

He went down to the garage to move his car out while Nikki slipped her's back in. Once she was settled in the car, they left the city heading south. As soon as they cleared the city, Josh put the top down. They started to relax, putting on his playlist, listening to music, and enjoying being out together. Deciding that Airlie Beach would be a great place to get breakfast, that became their first stop.

After a leisurely breakfast, they continued to head south to Mirriwinni, Wooroonooran National Park, and Josephine Falls. An hour and fifteen minutes later, Josh pulled into the car park. Getting out, stretching and gathering their gear, they headed for the trail.

Nikki leads the way, which suited Josh just fine, he was enjoying the view. The rainforest was beautiful with its earthy smell, the wildflowers, and the birds' sounds just adding to it. The kookaburra especially, it's call lending an exotic feel. Taking their time they reached the uppermost platform in about 40 mins.

"MY GOD! Josh! It's so beautiful!"

" I was pretty sure you would like it," smiling and sneaking his arm around her back loving it when she leaned into him, he kissed the top of her head. They hadn't been very physical, not even sharing a kiss yet, afraid of not being able to keep things professional on the boat. Josh was also fearful of her thinking he was moving too fast, especially knowing his reputation. This relationship is important to him.

Not in any rush, they stayed there for a bit just taking it all in.

"The falls start from Josephine Creek that flows down from Bartle Frere, they fall around 200 meters," Josh tells her.

When it was time, they started back down, stopping at the various other viewing platforms on the way. Once down, they made their way to the picnic area for lunch, after stopping by the car to grab their lunch and picnic rug.

"This looks like a good spot," Josh said, spreading out the rug. When lunch was finished, Josh laid back and closed his eyes, Nikki snuggled over and used his shoulder for a pillow, feeling content, they took a short nap.

I love being able to be close to Josh, Nikki thinks while she is laying there.

" Josh," giving him a slight shake, " it's almost 1:30, are you ready to hike to Big Rock Campground?"

Sitting up and stretching," Ya, You bet."

"OK, let's get this picked up, and we can get going."

Returning to the car after their afternoon hike, they stowed their gear.

" Ready for a swim? There's a great swimming hole at the bottom of the falls. Rockslides and all." Josh told her.

"Sounds awesome!"

The ride to Josephine Falls Swimming Hole took about 10 mins. Changing into their swimmers, they relaxed and frolicked in the natural pool, sliding on the rock slides like little kids, and sunning on the rocks.

" This is fantastic!" Nikki exclaimed.

It was getting late in the afternoon when they made their way back to the car.

" I was thinking, dinner in Mirriwinni? There's a nice pub with outdoor seating" Josh suggested.

" That sounds perfect. Chips?"

Chuckling, " Yea, chips".

It was almost 8:00 by the time they got back to Cairns. Josh pulled up near her garage, got out, and walked Nikki to her door.

"I really had a fantastic day," he said, bringing her close for a hug.

Hugging him back and a peck on the cheek, " I had a great time. Thanks for taking me."

" See you soon, bye, Nikki."

"Bye Josh"

Josh got home at 8:30 and unloaded his car, making a show of rinsing his dive gear to keep up the ruse he had been diving. When finished, as he was heading to his room, Sully called to him from the kitchen.

"Oi, mate! How was your dive?"

"It was good. I'm gonna head to the shower."

" I'm ordering takeaway, want anything?"

" Nah, thanks, I ate on the road."

Just as he walked into his room, his phone alerted with Nikki's text tone. Smiling, he opened her message, *Want to come over for ice cream and a movie?*

His heart did a lurch, * Ben & Jerry's?*

" Chocolate Brownie or Chocolatta*

" Just taking a shower, see you in 35 - 40."

" See ya then."

Josh finishes showering and changes into one of his flowered shirts and a pair of cargo shorts. Walking out through the kitchen, Sully is eating his pizza.

"Are you going out again?"

"Ya, I met this girl up in Palm Cove."

"Of course you did."

" Well, go figure, she's from Cairns. We're meeting up for a drink."

" Unbelievable."

"See ya, mate, don't wait up," winking.

Josh made a quick stop at the market to pick up the Ben & Jerry's and made it to Nikki's by 9:30.

She had the DVD player ready to go when he got there. Getting settled on her couch with their ice cream, she started the movie.

" What are we watching?" Josh asked her.

"Swerve, it's one of my favourites, a thriller. My favourite actor, David Lyons, is in it. As a matter of fact, you remind me of him."

"Really?"

Nikki curled up next to Josh, as they ate their ice cream. When the movie finished, Josh stretched. " I've got forenoon watch, I best be going."

" Yeah, I'm drained, long but wonderful day. Thanks for coming over."

" You bet", a hug and kiss on her head and he was off.

Nikki sat back down on the couch, hugging a pillow and grinning like a fool.