Hammersley arrived home 2 days later. They had managed to apprehend the gang with minimal fire-fight, with most of the causalities on the gangs' side. After overseeing the handover of the gang to the federal police and the boat owners to the paramedics Kate headed down to her cabin. Chucking the folder on to the desk she pulled her whites out of the wardrobe. She had a debrief with commander Smith at NAVCOM before they had to return to their patrol who had already been on the phone giving her a dressing down.

Feeling her phone buzz in her pocket she pulled it out. She could see it was the home number.

"hey" she smiled sitting on her rack

"you sound close" he said

"yeah well we are back in port. Just completing a hand over to the AFP after assisting them take a gang that stole a yacht and were heading our way.

"oh... right well how long are you in port for?" he asked

"just a few hours. I have a debrief with smith and then we have to sail" she sighed

"right..." he said

She could hear the deflation in his voice "anyway what was the problem" she asked

"sorry" Mike said

"you rang me. Is everything alright?" she asked now a tad worried

"oh yeah everything is fine. Well apart from Chris" he said

"what! Is he okay what's wrong!" she asked now really worried"?

"he's fine just as you can probably hear he is havening a meltdown. that's why I was calling. Have you seen Baa-baa" he asked?

"Mike, I have been at sea for a week. How the hell would I know where his bloody baa-baa is "she sighed. "he had it when I left"

"Jeez Kate I only asked" he snapped

"yeah I know Mike but I am kind of busy trying to run a warship" she said "look I have a meeting to get to"

"yeah whatever Kate" mike said hanging up

"Mike" she sighed as the line went dead.

Leaning back against the wall banging her head against it in frustration. she hadn't meant to sound so harsh but everything was getting on top of her and it was just a stuffed sheep he had plenty. But recently it seemed baa-baa was his favourite, although it changed every week.

"you okay kate?" Nav asked as she walked past

"yeah just too much drama" she smiled "look can you check the supplies and what we need and make sure austere has a deep clean with the disinfectant and anti-viral cleaners please"

"sure." nav smiled "are you sure everything is okay"

"yeah it will be. And thanks Nikki" Kate smiled shutting the door

Kate walked out of NAVCOM, leaning against the wall she pulled her hat off screaming silently in to it annoyed at everything. She couldn't do right from wrong it would seem. Smith had called her up on doing a Night time boarding despite them being allowed and she had done them herself in the past, well over saw them she had been on light duties. It was annoying as if they had waited till dawn then the yacht would have been in international waters and they couldn't do anything. Taking a deep breath she replaced her hat and headed back to the ship.

Walking over the gangway she could see Nav stood on the deck like she was waiting for her.

"is everything okay Nav?" Kate asked as she got close

"depends what you define as okay. Supplies arrived and are in the stores and austere has been fully sanitised..." she paused

"i sense a but coming "Kate said taking her hat off.

"Capri has noticed a problem with the port engine and the navigation system" she spat out hoping Kate wouldn't shot the messenger

"can today get any worse" Kate moaned "where is he?" she asked

"on the bridge trying tying to google the solution as he has no clue"

"thank you" she sighed making her way on board

Walking up the bridge steps she forced a smile bracing herself for what was to come.

"what's the problem Capri?" she asked.

"well I can't actually diagnose the problem there seems to be a leak in there somewhere in the system but I can't seem to locate it. If it's not sorted then we risk blowing the engine if we sail" he said

"Right" Kate sighed "how long do you think it will take to sort out the problem" she asked

"i don't know. Until I can locate it and assess the damage"

"right you get on to that and I will inform NAVCOM that we will be delayed in our departure." she forced a smile as she headed down to her cabin to change back in to her DPNU's.

Commander Smith was none too pleased that they were staying put for a few hours. Replacing the phone back in the cradle Kate could feel the anger rising at the way he was being. She had served on the patrol boats for 15 years she knew what she was doing.

"You okay ma'am" Nav asked as she walked past seeing the anger rise in Kates face

"why does he always do that to me"

"who and what?" Nav asked walking in sitting on her friend's rack

"just commander Smith having a go saying I am deliberately stalling Hammersley's departure."

"come on. We are stuck here for a while lets go get a coffee. My treat and I may even throw in a chocolate muffin." Nav grinned

"okay" Kate sighed grabbing her phone. Following her best friend out. "but lets make it a hot chocolate" she grinned "after the morning I have had I blooming well need it"

After getting their coffee. Take-a-way only they managed to find a little bench to sit on

"so how has it been with the Kids?" Nav asked

"don't ask. Home schooling is a nightmare. I have not got a clue on how to do any of it so can't help and that's when I can get Grace to actually sit down and do her work she would much prefer to play like Chris and Nicole just keeps to herself and won't even ask for help." Kate sighed sipping her drink.

"glad I haven't had to deal with it. Don't think I would have had the patients" Nav smiled breaking her cake in half, taking a bite. "and hows things going with Mike?"

"its okay nothing really has changed in that much apart from he is working from home but its nice getting to spend time together when I'm not at sea.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she could see it was the ship. She just hoped it would be good news. If she had to tell Smith that they couldn't sail then she swore he would have her up on charges.

"Kate Flynn" she took a deep breath

"Ma'am" Capri's voice echoed down the line. "Bad news. The engine is really bad I am going to need marine tech to take a look but I think the engine is beyond dead. Oh, and the leak came from a snapped fuel line." he sighed

"how long are we going to be grounded for?" Kate asked

"i don't know it will depend what marine tech say but at least a week I would say"

"Right. Well you did your best Capri. I shall inform NAVCOM when I get back" she sighed this was going to be worse than having teeth pulled at the dentist.

It was after 22:00 when Kate eventually got home. NAVCOM, well Commander Smith was not that happy and she had to wait onboard for marine tech to do an initial investigation. They didn't arrive till after 15:00 and she had to wait until they had finished and submitted their assessment and for Smith to get back to her. She knew he was taking his time on purpose just to make her suffer.

Dumping her bag in the hall she made her way through the house she could see mike sat on the sofa. He had dozed off whilst watching a film. Sitting next to him she leaned in kissing his cheek.

"Kate!" he said jumping looking at her. "how come you're back I thought you were only in port for a few hours"

"well the port engine is buggered so we are grounded for now" she smiled. "sorry I was a mardy cow" she grinned "did you find baa-baa" She asked as the house was unusually quiet if Chris had lost his favourite teddy

"nope he is still AWOL" Mike sighed "I had to read to him until he fell asleep" Mike sighed

"he likes hiding it in the freezer" Kate smiled heading in to the kitchen. Opening the freezer, she pulled open the bottom draw where they usually had the ice-creams she smiled as sure enough tucked away was baa-baa"

"why does he put it in there" Mike smiled as he walked in

"i have no idea. I don't think he does really. He just loves hide and seek" she placed it on the counter. "sorry I was a mardy cow. Smith was just having a go and..."

"well I am sure you can make it up to me" he grinned wrapping his arms around her pulling her close.

so hope you like it. so i know lockdown has put a strain on the relationships of some people. hope you like this and I do have a few more ideas.