A week later

Out somewhere on the water

Hammersley

Comcen

"How do you expect me to get them off without anyone noticing Sir?" Dutchy asks the person on the other end of the line.

"I do not care how you do it, you need to get them off that boat without anyone noticing you have done it. And as I say it has to be done within the next 12hrs." Comes from Captain Steve Marshall, to Dutchy as the two talk on a secure line. Marshall having contact the ship to talk to him. Marshall wont tell him why they must be off the boat ASAP just that it needs doing and he has to figure out a way to do it without anyone noticing.

Mike's Boat

5 hrs later

Mike and Kate are on their way back to Brisbane when they decide to anchor up in a small bay for the afternoon and evening. They are sitting down enjoying the pleasure of just being able to sit cuddled up talking and watching another movie, being able to be so free with their actions and emotions and feelings with each other. Without the worry or stress of being caught out by someone, at the moment they don't have to hide how they feel about each other, what they both want from each other and life.

They hear the sounds of boats cruising around out on the water, they knew anchoring where they did there be others around but then the unmistakable sound an RHIB can be heard, both tensing at the sound hoping like hell it isn't for them, that they'll be left alone, both not ready yet to return back to the real world yet. But as the sound gets closer they know it's for them, their guts tell them so, but why they are coming towards their boat they have no idea.

5mins later there is the unmistakable sound of the RHIB about to come alongside them, the call of if there is anyone on board, so they both move outside to see what is up. As they get out the back and look they see a Patrol Boat not too far away, and Dutchy in a RHIB along with Charge, and Swain with Harpy, driving, this sits alarms bells off on both of them. There is no XO on this RHIB. And there has been no radio sounds over the Radio of anyone missing.

"Dutchy what's up?" Mike says as soon as the RHIB is beside their boat.

"Ma'am, Sir, sorry that it has taken us so long to get here, I have our Chef engineer with us to take a look at your engine and see if he can get your engine back up and running again for you." They both pick up straight away that there is something up something that isn't right and that Dutchy is trying to protect them, protect their cover. Charge and Swain both know what is going on, though Mike and Kate have no idea just how much the crew on Hammersley knows about them, as well as what they are really doing out on the water right now.

"Sir show me to your engine room please." Charge asks Mike playing along with what is being said.

Mike takes him below deck,

"Sir read this." Charge says to Mike as the two are in the engine room area. They stay there for about 15mins.

"We will be ready Charge." Mike replies as he gives the note back to Charge, not wanting to accidentally have it left on board the boat.

"If you have any valuable documents on board please go get them and bring them to me I will take them back with me." Charge says after Mike hands him back the note, and he goes off and gets what he knows both Kate and him have on here as valuable documents, and then returns to Charge with them.

"Thank you Sir." he says, as he places the documents out of sight under his shirt, and under a strap so as to hold them in place so it looks like he isn't holding anything and then the two head back top side again.

"Dutchy the engine is all fixed for them." Charge says as they come top side, the RHIB leaves. Kate knows something is up just by the way Dutchy looked at her when he stayed on the boat deck. He made small talk and also said that it would be ok.

Once the RHIB had gone Mike quickly explains what is going to happen later. When it is dark.

4hrs later

Pitch Black outside

Mike and Kate are now kitted up in their wet-suits, being very thankful that they had placed them on board the boat before leaving Brisbane, it wasn't something they thought they would need but they thought if they wanted to go diving anywhere it would be handy to have them on hand to save them getting injuries.

They have turned the lights off on the boat and running a movie in the room they normally sleep, making it seem like normal for them just in case they were or are being watched. Unknown to everyone par Mike's uncle and them two is that the boat has another exit and entry point for just in case of fire and you can't get off the back of the boat. They use this method another hour after turning the lights off and slowly lower a rope to the water which they then descend down and into the water, they put their flippers on, and once they are ready they use their little portable air supply tanks to go under the water and swim away from the boat, both holding a rope to make sure they stay together with each other.

It takes them about 30mins to meet up with another boat that the crew had manger to get use of, before they motored off in this boat to another location where they get onto one of the RHIB's which takes them to Hammersley.

Hammersley

0100hrs

It's been

14hrs since the Chef of Navy received a phone call.

13hrs Since the Chef phone's Captain Steve Marshall

12hrs Since Marshall Phones Dutchy onboard Hammersley

Comcen Room

Hammersley

"Sir mission completed." Dutchy says as soon as Steve says hello to him.

"Good, they ok?" He asks Dutchy

"I'll pass them over so you can talk to them yourself." He replies back before leaving the Comcen room, allowing the three to talk in private.

"Steve what is going on? Why have we been pulled like this? Kate and I need this case to be closed for good." is the first lot of words out of Mike's mouth after they all say hello, and inform them they are safe and fine.

"I know you both do, but we have been given information, and not good information. The Chef got a phone call today, he then phoned me, he is one of the handful that know about your past together." Steve says just so they know he knows about them and their past work. "The phone call he got concerned him greatly and so he rang me as you both know I am your commanding officer still always have been always will be. Which lead me to pulling you two, Nick and Jen do not know yet but I suspect by now they do as they were also being pulled and taken away as well." This sets alarms bells off on both Mike and Kate.

"Sir what aren't you telling us?" Comes from Kate, she knows something isn't right.

"We got intel from the Army, The Pant Alum is involved with some major weapons smuggling going on. Not just smuggling either they've been supplying them to groups on the islands, more than what we first thought and knew about, one of the SAS teams involved raided a home connected to the boat, not knowing about what we are doing and found intell on you two as well as Nick and Jen. As their operation is classified due to its nature, they rung the Chef knowing he could talk in full to him about what was found, he didn't inform them of what you two are doing or why you are part of this, the Chef just said Hammersley had spotted them on radar awhile ago and then has been making reports on when they see it as they had lodge an order of suspected illegal activity but haven't been able to find a reason to board said vessel."

"Have they been in and out of our waters Sir?" she asks him.

"Yes they have Dutchy, along with Kingston and Childers, have noticed this boat in and out of our waters but also Childers and Kingston have noticed 2 other vessels that are always around before or after this boat has entered our waters." he takes a moment both absorbing the information he is giving. "Cause the Army is now involved as well, the CHef feels it is safer if you two are on board Hammersley, his words to me was they have to be onboard Hammersley by midnight tonight, so I got Dylan to sort it."

"Why did he say that?"

"Maybe because this morning just before he rang me I was informed that the place you are renting in Brisbane has been burnt to the ground."

"WTH." they both say at the same time.

"Suspected arson so along with that info I gave him and the Intel we felt you are safer onboard Hammersley. Your places in Cairns have been checked and are fine at this stage." There is a moment of silence between them all, Steve giving Mike and Kate time to adjust to the news of the place they were staying in Brisbane has been burnt to the ground.

"So what is the plan then Sir?"

"Stay on board, do not go top side at all no matter what."

"Great prisoners on our own damn Patrol boat." Comes from Kate. Steve laughs at this.

"Kate, it belongs to the Australian Navy remember."

"Sir if you remember correctly Mike does call her his baby. And if you believe everyone else he is married to this particular Patrol boat."

"Yes, true there, on another note, while on the phone with you two, I put in paperwork to the Chef, we have approved your relationship, I'm not stupid and neither is he, we know what happened last time and I saw the ring too Mike nice choice so it is also noted down that you are engaged, in the paperwork, the Chef said we should put they are already married but that might raise alarm bells."

"Steve." Mike Says to him not sure what else to say, he wants to rip him one but on another note.

"Don't Steve me Mike we all know if you both had your way, and not that of those who wanted you in this operation you both would of been together and married by now, remember I know what really was going on I know you both fell in love with each other, while doing that job. Plus it means that if anything happens no one can say a damn word about it, that includes Maxine as well, I have spy's too Mike. I know what she has been up to as well. Look I will let you two go, get some rest, we will speak some more tomorrow." He says before the call is ended and the two head off to rest. The two spend a couple more minutes in the room before leaving.

0300hrs

A big loud explosion can be heard throughout the bay, Hammersley catches the sight of something happening in the bay, as the light from it makes those on watch pay attention they turn the EOD onto it.

"Shit" comes from one of the sailors before heading off to get the CO, Mike and Kate.

5 mins later they are all up on the bridge.

"Mike." Kate says to him her hand on his arm, emotion in her voice seeing what is in front of them, the burning wreckage all that is there now, trying not to believe it is their boat that has just been blown up.

"It's our boat all right, bloody hell." comes from Mike, emotions showing for a split second before he hides them, Kate knowing full darn well that it means a lot to Mike being his Uncle's boat that was fully restored and then given to Mike in his will when he passed from Cancer. But also for them as well, not only did they share this boat over the last few months but when they were last undercover as well. It holds so many wonderful memories for them both including Mike asking her to marry him as well. A few tears slip down Kate's face, it's the loss of a special place for them, the only real place they could be themselves no matter what that is hurting her. Of course it doesn't go unnoticed by those on the Bridge that Mike called it their boat. Not his boat, he says their boat. This fueling their thoughts that there really is far more going on with these two, far more than they in fact even can fathom and know of. None of them as of yet have noticed the rings on both of them. Only 4 on board knowing about the rings that they wear and they think it is part of what they are doing not knowing that one of them isn't part of their operation at all.

Of course Hammersley sends the RHIBS out to look it over, to make it look like they are searching for survivors. Dutchy and Swain with a plan in their head, to help cover their bosses who are back on Hammersley.

Mike heads to comcen to get a hold of Steve and inform him of what just happened with their boat, that it was blown up into a million bits, Steve also knowing this boat has a lot of sentimental value to both of them. Steve knows that the boat is not part of the operation but a part of Mike's family and a part of the two of them history.

An hour later.

Mike and Kate are sitting in the Officers Mess, waiting to hear back on what was found, both not sure if they would be able to sleep at all, but both knowing that soon they will need to get some sleep. As they sit and wait word gets back that nothing could be saved from the boat. They both head off to where they have been shown they will be spending the night. For the first time in months they are sleeping in separate beds, in separate areas of the boat, neither of them are enjoying this at all. But both fully understanding the Navy rules and regulations and even though they are a couple and it is on record they still can not share quarters while on board. They both have a very restless few hours of sleep before getting back up for the day, to see what the day brings for them.