Walking in to NAVCOM later that week Kate sighed after the last few days she had off she was feeling more refreshed and her mind was in a much better place. It had helped getting everything off her chest and talking to Mike helped enormously. It also helped that Jim was several thousand miles away, she still was slightly worried especially as he had been in a confined space with Mike but there wasn't much, she could do about that.

Sitting at her desk she sighed looking at the mountain of files that had been left by commander White with a note saying she needed them sorting by lunch time. Sighing in frustration she pulled the first file towards her. It was typical each time Knocker would dump a huge mountain of files on her and give her a unrealistic deadline to Compleat them in and because she managed it each time the deadline got tighter and tighter, she wouldn't be surprised if one day she came in and the deadline was three weeks yesterday.

She was about two thirds of the way through when her phone buzzed with an email. Unlocking her phone, she could see it was from Mike. He had been gone just over a week, after dropping the SAS off on the Samaru islands but they had a few FFV's that had been spotted that they had to escort back across the line. But he said they were heading home and should be in by lunchtime

"Lieutenant McGregor" Commander white appeared at the door

"Ma'am" Kate looked up almost dropping her phone.

"i am not interrupting anything important am I" she said with a snide smile

"no Ma'am just a email" Kate smiled politely putting her phone back in the draw of her desk.

"yes, well considering everything that's been going on I would have thought you would have wanted to dive straight in to work, I mean you must be refreshed you have had enough time off since you arrived"

"yes well its not my fault personnel couldn't have my house ready and sorted before I arrived, they didn't exactly not know I was starting when I did" Kate said

"yes, well as I said I need those files sorted by lunch, umm let's say 1pm" Maxine smiled looking at her watch

"of course, Ma'am" Kate forced a smile

Finishing just before the deadline ,Kate carried the folders along the corridor, balancing them on her hip she knocked on Maxines office door.

"your files Ma'am" she smiled

"thank you, Lieutenant, now if you could sort out the plans for Broome as she leaves tomorrow for a 21-day patrol and then Launceston also needs plans sorting for Tuesday"

"I was just about to go on My lunch Ma'am so I will do it when I return" Kate smiled

"Lieutenant it wasn't a to do list, it needs doing now" Maxine said

"i know ma'am but I have been in since 8:30 and have not had a break all morning to get these done." she said I will be back at 2" she walked out

She made it to the dock in time to see Mike walk over the gangway.

"hey" he smiled walking up to her "what are you doing here" he said

"i thought I would welcome you home and wanted to see if you wanted to sneak of and grab a bite to eat before you gave your report to commander Marshall" she said before noticing he had a split lip and a cut above his right eye. "what happened" she said brushing her thumb along his lip.

"it was nothing" he said pulling away slightly

"Mike?" she said "what happened, tell me please" she said starting to get worried

"Jim decked him" Nikki said as she walked past pulling her bag on to her shoulder

"what!" Kate exclaimed "Mike what did you say?" she said

"nothing, he was mouthing off about his "ex-wife" being a bitch to the rest of his men and I told him I didn't want that language on my ship. When I said I was a a friend he put 2 and 2 together and punched me"

"to be fair Sir you gave as good as you got" Nikki Chimed in

"not helping Nav" Mike said shooting her a look

"sorry Sir" Nikki Said "enjoy shore leave" she smiled walking up the quay

"Kate?" Mike said looking at her face trying to judge her reaction

"you idiot" Kate sighed rubbing her temples "you have made everything worse" she said turning to walk way

"Kate I wasn't going to have him badmouth you to his men and half my crew..."

"no" she said spinning around "you have just played in to his hands given him more reasons to go after me."

"Kate I am sorry I just" he said trying to pull her in for a hug "what can I do"

"leave me alone mike you have done enough" she said walking back up the Quay

Arriving back at NAVCOM Kate sighed sitting down at her desk, her phone buzzed. Seeing it was a text from Mike she stuffed her phone in the draw she was still annoyed with everything that had happened especially as he had promised not to start anything.

"Ma'am" a voice came from the door

Turning she smiled seeing a young able seaman at the door.

"yes kinngy?" she said softly

"this arrived for you whilst you were out" he said holding out a large brown envelope.

"thanks, kinngy" Kate smiled taking it from him.

It was quite a thick letter, looking at the hand written name on the front it was a hand she didn't recognise. Turning it over she carefully pulled up the opening. Pulling out a thick document she scanned over what was written.

There was a heading had the name of a fancy Sydney solicitors in a bold gothic type face. Scanning further down she was trying to read and take in what was being said.

"what" she said to herself reading the bottom of the last page.

Standing from her desk she suddenly felt faint, stumbling around to the front she tried to grip on to the edge of the desk for support. Slipping she fell forward hitting her head on the side before falling completely to the floor unconscious.

"thanks Steve" Mike smiled walking out shaking commander Marshall's hand

"so what are your plans for shore leave?" Marshall asked

"don't know, I need to find Kate and apologise"

"she was in her office last I saw" Marshall smiled "so you two are serious?"

"if I haven't blown it for decking her ex-husband for talking shit about her on my ship"

" I am really happy for you" Marshall smiled "you deserve some happiness after everything with Ursula. I need a word with Lieutenant Mcgreggor anyway so why don't I walk with you."

Knocking softly on the door to Kates office Mike took a deep breath.

"Kate?" he said softly opening the door. Walking in he saw her on the floor "KATE!" he called rushing over. turning to face the door "Steve, call an ambulance" he said carefully placing Kate in to the recovery position...

so hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. sorry its been a while but i have not been able to focus for the last few days but i am back and in a better mindset

enjoy x