10 years later
Jess walked up the quay of HMAS Cairns. She hadn't been on the Cairns base for over 7 years. After qualifying as a medic, she returned to Cairns serving on Hammersley as the second medic. More recently she was one of the medics onboard HMAS Hobart on operations in northern and south east Asia.
It seemed surreal being back in the tropics especially as it was for Hammersley's decommissioning. the ship was only 15 years old. But the government in their infinite wisdom had decided to create a new super class of off shore patrol boats combining 4 classes of warships in to one. This meant the role of the Patrol boat service would be extended to mine clearing and hydrographic surveys as well as the usual boarder protections.
she came to a stop in front of Hammersley. Looking round she could see members of the current crew talking amongst themselves on the boat deck. Kate walked over the gangway pushing all the crew on to the quay to wait for the Commanding officer at Cairns and the admiral to arrive and the ceremony could begin.
Walking along to where the seats had been arranged for the former crew members and others who had been invited by the navy to see the Decommissioning. She tried to find an empty seat so she could see the ceremony without having to twist her neck to see everything.
Taking her seat, she watched as the ensign was lowered on Hammersley's Flag deck. It was folded by RO who was still on Hammersley and handed to Kate; who was the commanding officer. Kate waked over the gangway with the flag tucked under her arm. The guard saluted the flag as Kate walked past coming to a stop in front of Mike and the admiral
"Sir, Hammersley's Job is done. I commend her white Ensign to your safe keeping to the naming of the new Hammersley" she held the flag out.
"on behalf of the Navy I will keep this white ensign safe" the admiral tucked the flag under his arm.
Stepping back Kate saluted smiling at mike she turned on her heal and joined the parade before they marched up the quay.
Once the crew had left the quay Jess walked down to Find Kate. She
"Jessica?" a male voice called from behind her. It was a voice she half recognised.
Turning slowly, she saw Dutchy standing behind her in civvies. Turning back away she couldn't do this it hurt too much. Walking further up the quay she felt his hand on her shoulder
"Jess wait please" he called
Stopping she turned blinking back the tears. "Dylan" she forced a smile "what are you doing here"
"same as you. Hammersley's Decommissioning." he smiled his eye catching the insignia on her uniform. "you made petty officer?" he smiled she had only been in the navy 10 years and was already a petty officer.
"yeah 6 months ago. what about you how come your in Civvies?"
"medically Discharged 10 years ago" he half smiled
"what happened?" she asked fiddling with her chain. It was 10 years since she had last seen him. 10 years since her graduation and 10 years since he had left her with nothing but a cryptic note.
"my shoulder kept dislocating and I had bad scaring internal like, I had to have the shoulder pinned so I was deemed unfit for sea, didn't fancy a desk job so I took medical discharge" his eyes fell on her necklace.
Tucking the necklace out of sight she looked up. "10 years ago. Is that... is that why you left?" she asked trying not to cry
"yes" his answer was short and sweet.
Looking up at him. It stung he was so blunt in his answer. "but why?" she asked
"because of you. Look where you are now. I didn't want you to be stuck looking after me. Ferrying me back and forth to rehab and putting everything on hold for me"
"it wasn't your decision to make." she said turning away.
"but I didn't want you to put everything on hold you were too brilliant for that..." he placed his hand on her shoulder
Shrugging him off she turned "you broke my heart. I wanted to share that day with the people I love and the most important person disappeared on me" she said tears falling down her cheeks. "how long did you stay for?" she asked
"i saw you cross the stage and collect your certificate, I left just before you came over. it was the hardest thing I ever had to do" he closed the gap between them
"then why do it. We could have made things work." she looked up in to his eyes that still made her go weak at the knees.
"because I knew you wouldn't want to leave me and I didn't want you to wake up one day resenting the fact you stayed behind or I would resent the fact you were still in the navy sailing the seven seas and I was left on shore"
"i wouldn't..." she closed her eyes the tears still running silently down her cheeks
"you don't know that" he reached out brushing his thumb along her cheek
Leaning in her skin fizzed at his touch. "i missed you" she smiled
"Ditto" he pulled his hand away.
"so what you doing now then as you're not in the navy?" she asked
"i am a teacher. Year 3 mainly"
Trying not to laugh she covered her mouth. It was hard to imagen Dutchy, a big tough naval man through and through as a teacher, especially in a primary school.
"what is so funny about that" he protested
"nothing I wasn't laughing at you per say. Its just you being a teacher. This I have to see" she grinned
"well since you say that, I am looking for someone to come and talk to the kids about being a sailor. What you doing next week" he smiled
"well I am posted to the new Arafura Hammersley so nothing until she arrives in Cairns, where do you teach?"
"funny you should say that. My school is in Mission Beach"
"i will need to clear it with Kate, she is my CO but sounds good"
"i will send you the details. Look I need to head back, marking and planning and all that. But it was good to see you Jess" he smiled leaning in kissing her on the cheek
"yeah" she smiled "Ditto"
so the information about the Armidale class being upgraded to the Arafura class is info I found on Wikipedia that has been cited. as for the fic this is the last chapter as I have A lost it a little and B it is really hard to write about the future lol. hope you enjoy and let me know what you think x