Jess lay awake for what seemed like ages just staring at the ceiling, eventually she drifted off in to a disturbed slumber her mind playing tricks on her of what ifs. Playing over and over all the things that could happen to Dutchy.

She awoke to the sound of her phone ringing loudly from the side. Reaching out she patted the bedside cabinet till she found it, pulling it towards her.

"hello" she yawned

"Jessica" Kate called down the phone "i didn't mean to wake you"

"X" jess replied nervously "I'm not late or anything am I?" she Stammered unable to remember if she was on watch or not.

"relax you're not late I was just wondering if you were alright you sort of disappeared without a word. Dutchy said you were feeling under the weather last night"

"yeah I just had a bit of a headache and didn't want to spoil the mood" she lied hoping it was believed.

"It's okay so long as your feeling better now" Kate replied. It was clear that there was something else bothering her but she didn't want to push. "you know where I am if you want to talk"

"thanks X" she called as the line went dead.

Pushing herself upright she pulled her knees up wrapping her arms around them. She looked around her little apartment in navy singles accommodation, it wasn't much but she called it home and she loved it.

The sun had just risen and the sky was a light with reds and golds and it was still cool. Throwing back the covers she reluctantly rolled out from under her duvet. She needed to clear her head. Changing in to shorts and a vest she grabbed her iPod from the side. A run would give her the escape she needed and hopefully take her mind off of Dutchy.

Running around the point and along the beach helped her feel free and alive. It helped clear her thoughts. She felt like a weight had been lifted. Returning home, she changed in to her DPNUs as she was on duty watch. Walking over the gangway she dropped her bag in her cabin before heading on to the bridge.

"Bird" Kate looked up to the approaching footsteps

"X" Jess smiled "can I ask you something"

"of course." Kate smiled putting her pen down looking up at Jessica

"I was wondering if you could help me with my application for the medics course?" she asked nervously

"of course," Kate smiled "why don't I see if I can arrange for you to go down for a tour of HMAS Penguin, talk to some of the trainees and get a feel for the place."

"wow X that would be fantastic" Bird exclaimed

"i take that to be a yes" Kate laughed

"yes, thank you ma'am"

Sitting on the bridge Jess stared out of the window. They were in home port so there wasn't much to do apart from check the deck and gangway reporting to port security every hour. Leaning back in the seat she turned at the sound of feet on the steps behind. Turning behind her, she looked around to see Kate walking up carrying 2 mugs.

"Jess" she held out one mug. "thought you could do with a coffee.

"thanks" she smiled back sipping her drink holding back with what she really wanted to ask. "X I was wondering umm what..."

Looking over it was like Kate could read the young girls mind "he will be on HMAS Newcastle. They leave on Friday." she smiled

"oh right" jess was taken aback. It was like Kate had read her mind. But she didn't expect the information to come so freely. "thanks" she was a little deflated, she didn't expect him to leave so soon, they only returned 2 days ago and only said a Propper farewell yesterday.

"and I have some news. I have spoken to an old friend who teaches at Penguin. He said that you could go down this weekend. I have cleared it with the boss"

"thanks Ma'am" Jess smiled if she went to see the base and got a feel for it then it may make the decisions a lot easier.

"you can leave tomorrow if you like" Kate smiled "get a feel for Sydney it's a bit of a whirlwind when you first get there."

"yeah" she paused "thank you X"

3 days later Jess walked through the gates of Garden island, the home base of some of the frigates including HMAS Newcastle. Newcastle was due to depart on a minimum 6-month tour of Afghanistan assisting the British and American forces in protecting interests in the area. The quay was filled with family of the 230 crew members all wanting to see their loved ones off and all praying nothing would happen. Edging her way through the crowds she looked around wondering where he was. She could see that most of the crew were already onboard and checking the flight deck was sound and generally waiting for the rest of the crew to make their way on board. Looking up she spotted him in his smarts chatting to a female officer he seemed to know. At least he would have someone looking after his back she smiled.

Slowly the crew began to walk over the gangway and take their place on the deck. She watched as the huge rope that was used to anchor the ship in place on the quay. The horn blasted as she began to edge away from the dock. The sailors turned saluting the flag that blew in the wind. Slowly Newcastle pulled out, the families on the quay watching as the ship left before slowly milling away. The sooner they left then the sooner that the ship would return safe and sound. Jess stood on the Quay watching as Newcastle sailed out of the bay until she was just a little grey dot on the horizon barely recognisable.

"stay safe" she whispered. Before turning following the crowds out.

Later that evening she sat in her hotel room curled up flicking through the channels on the tv. She wasn't actually interested in anything she just wanted some sound to keep her company. Looking out of the window she could just make out the light of the Hornby head lighthouse in the distance. Sliding from the bed she headed to the balcony, it was a clear crisp evening picking up his leather jacket she headed out side. She looked straight ahead at the horizon it was so clear and the stars were out shining looking down on the city. Looking dead ahead she stared at one bright star, praying to it asking it to look out for him protecting him.

Sat at the helm of Newcastle Dutchy Stared out at the dark horizon. He loved being at sea at night unless it was a cloudy night there was nothing stopping the stars from shining down on them.

"port 30 steer 240" the officer of the watch called after checking the chart.

"port 30 steer 240" dutchy called turning the ship.

Looking out the window his eye was caught by a bright star sat right in the middle of the sky. He could feel her presence even though he knew she would be asleep in her rack on Hammersley. Then he heard her whispers of "stay safe" clear as day

"I will" he whispered to himself looking at the star. Hoping it would convey his message back to her.

so hope you enjoy. just to note 1 I have never been to Sydney so have no idea on the layout and can only work with google maps and 2 I have no idea what would happen when a Naval vessel leaves port for deployment and have only seen very short news clips of the royal navy ships leaving (so I know all sailors stand on deck). please let me know what you think. the next chapter will fast forward a little.

enjoy xx