Jess awoke with the sun creeping through the window. Stretching out she smiled to herself. Today was the day she had been waiting for, she was graduating as a medic. All the hard work, tears, stress and determination had finally paid off. feeling the weight shift she rolled over to face Dutchy

"good morning" he smiled "happy graduation day" he whispered leaning in kissing her

"thank you" she smiled back "what time is it?" she let out a little yawn.

"just gone 8, what time do you have to be there?" he asked

"Noon, it starts at 1" she said sliding from the sheets. "I'm going for a shower" she smiled

Standing under the water she couldn't help let out a sigh of relief. It was all becoming real and she had finally made it as a medic in the navy. She hoped that she could go back to Cairns and the patrol boats. She had many friends still living in Goat central and she loved the patrol boats as there was always something different to do. Hammersley was her family.

Having changed in to a pair of leggings and a vest she walked through in to the main living room. Dutchy turned as she approached.

"i thought we could have pancakes for breakfast" he smiled carrying a bowl of fruit over to the table. Placing it with a range of other toppings he had prepared

"looks yummy. Did you make these by yourself?" she asked sitting at the table.

"i want to say yes but alas they are Aldi's finest" he grinned.

Laughing she was just about to lift one of the warm pancakes on to her plate when there was a knock at the door.

"would you get that Jess I am kind of holed up" he called from the kitchen

"sure" she called heading to the door.

Pulling the door open a huge smile grew across her face.

"Kate!" she cried "what are you doing here?" she asked

"Dutchy called said it was your graduation and that you would want some family there. So, we thought we would come down and support you"

"well come in, we're just having breakfast but there is plenty" Jess pulled the door open.

Kate lifted the pram, through the door.

"is this Christopher." jess cooed looking at the sleeping baby "shall we have those pancakes before they go cold, Kate, join us. Dutchy has made enough to feed the whole of Ardent division" she laughed

"it certainly looks like a feast" Kate laughed sitting at the table. "but I think a whole division may be stretching it" she smiled pulling a pancake towards her topping it with the fruit Dutchy had laid out.

"Mike not with you?" dutchy asked carrying over a second plate of pancakes.

"He's outside. He had a last-minute phone call to make. he should be in in a bit" she smiled glancing in the pram, Christopher was still fast asleep. "do you know where your heading next Jess?" she asked

"no, no one has said anything guess it's still all up in the air" she sighed. She had hoped to hear something by now. Cutting in to her pancake.

Once they had all eaten their fill of pancakes Jess and Kate moved to the sofa whilst dutchy cleared the table. His insistence Jess shouldn't have to lift a finger on her special day. Flopping down she smiled as Christopher began wailing in the pram. As soon as Kate lifted him in to her arms he instantly stopped and calmed at being close to his mother.

"do you want a cuddle?" Kate asked grinning seeing how transfixed Jessica's gaze was

"sure" she smiled

Placing the baby in to her friends arms Kate sat back watching. Christopher was a little unsure at this new face staring down at him, let out a little wail.

"hey" Jess cooed "shhh,shhh shhh" instantly calming the baby.

"good luck getting him back X" Dutchy grinned walking over to the kitchen

"shut up, he is adorable" Jess turned back to look at the baby. Smiling as he gripped tightly around her finger.

"well do you want to hand him back to his mother as I want to give you something" Dutchy smiled

"fine" Jess sighed as she eased Christopher back in to Kates arms.

Sitting back in her seat she looked over at Dutchy. "well" she said

"patience my friend just wait" Dutchy smiled as there was a knock at the door.

Walking over Dutchy pulled open the door and Mike walked in.

"sorry I am late I had some stuff to sort" he smiled winking at Kate.

"its fine. Come through" Dutchy smiled "right. Jess I just want to say Congratulations and I couldn't be prouder." he handed her a small glittery box.

Lifting the lid Jess saw a silver chain with a pendent of what looked like snake coiled round a branch from a tree hanging down.

"its beautiful" she cried "thank you" she lifted it from the box.

"what is it?" Mike asked staring at it, to him it just looked like a weird pattern

"it's a Rod of Asclepius" Jess smiled

"the rod of what?" Mike asked

"the Rod of Asclepius. He was the Greek god for healing" Jess smiled. "if you were sick then you would go to the temple of Asclepius. Some stories say the snake even cured someone who was blind" she carefully fastened the chain around her neck. "all of his children were gods or goddesses to do with health and medicine"

"its beautiful Jess" Kate carefully lifted the pendent inspecting it closely "now this is from us" Kate passed her a envelope. "its not much but we hope you like it"

"thank you" Jess smiled carefully pulling a sheet of paper. Her eyes scanning the information. Looking up she grinned "really"

Kate nodded "you are officially a medic on the HMAS Hammersley"

"thank you" she leaned over hugging Kate "this is the best" she looked over at the clock, time was running away so quickly. "I best go and get changed otherwise I am going to be late" she turned heading towards her room.

Standing on the parade square Jess watched as the different classes went up collecting their certificates. She watched as the next cohort of Navy doctors said their Hippocratic oath, declaring they would do all they could to treat those in their care. Then it was her turn walking up she was greeted by the commander of Penguin.

Once all the formalities were over everyone was dismissed to enjoy the day with their friends and families. Dashing over to where Kate stood with mike Jess looked around.

"congratulations" Kate hugged her friend

"where is Dutchy" Jess asked looking around the crowds trying to spot him.

" ummm he was here a moment ago" Kate turned around. "maybe he has gone back to yours?" she suggested.

Opening the door to her apartment Jess ran in looking around. It was extremely quiet and no sign of life. Looking in each of the rooms there was nothing. All of his stuff had gone and she found a envelope addressed to her on the side. Ripping it open her eyes scanned his handwriting

The truth is complicated.

Please forgive me

Goodbye

Falling back, she landed on the edge of the bed tears running down her cheeks. Curling up in to a ball she held on to the note and the necklace he had given her that morning.

"Jess?" Kate called opening the door "i thought we could..." she paused seeing Jess in a crumpled heap on the bed. "Jess?" she sat on the edge of the bed.

Sitting up jess looked right at Kate. "he's gone" she sobbed handing over the note

"oh Jess" Kate pulled her in to a hug. It was a pain she had known well. It was practically the same words mike had left when he disappeared from HMAS Watson 12 years previously. Turning as she heard footsteps on the floor. Walking over to Mike who was holding baby Christopher she shook her head. Looking back over at Jess who lay still curled up. She could kill Dutchy for doing this. What was he hiding that he couldn't share with them and why make a spectacle that morning with the masses of pancakes and treats? All she knew was her friend was heartbroken. It would take a lot of getting over she just hoped that being on Hammersley and her work would distract her.

so hope you like it please dont kill me :P. the Rod of Asclepius is the international symbol used for medicine. in the uk it is on most of our ambulance services badges. In aus I know it is on the army medical corps like with the British army. (I did history of medicine for GCSE (year11) history exam) hope you like this and please let me know what you think