The next day it was 1100 when Hammersley left Port just after Kingston, as they both made their way back to Cairns Kate was sitting in the Captain's chair manning the bridge as her phone beeped pulling it out she smiled as the name 'Glen' showed up the screen opening up the message
'Now that we've met 'Sis' you up for a proper catch up back in Cairns tomorrow, maybe over a coffee?' she grinned as she replied
'I'd like that little 'Bro' look forward to it' she typed as she picked a laughing emoji and a winking one before pressing send.
Nikki who was looking at the charts smiled at her "You seem happier today X" she said looking up at her
"It's a new day Nik, can't keep living in the past" Kate replied smiling at her
"Right…" Nikki said confused as the bridge door opened and Mike entered
"Anything to report?" Mike asked looking at Kate
"No Sir, but since you're here I'll go make myself a brew" she replied quickly moving out of the chair as Nikki looked at her confused
"Very well, CO has the bridge" he said moving to sit where Kate had been seconds earlier
"CO has the bridge" Nikki said
"How long till we reach Port Nav?" Mike asked looking next to him
"Um about 7 hours Sir" she replied looking up at him
"So we should just get in after dinner?"
"Yes Sir" she said as she looked back down at the charts
"Very good" Mike said once more as he looked out over the water.
Kate was sitting in the mess staring into space nursing her coffee as Swaine made his way past stopping as he noticed Kate looking unlike herself
"Is everything alright Ma'am?" he asked entering the room
"Hmm?" was her reply as she continued to stare into space
"Is everything alright?" he asked again as she snapped out of it turning to look at him
"Yeah I'm fine..." she said softly
"Did you sort everything out with the Boss?" he asked indicating back to the scene that unfolded earlier that morning
"Oh yeah it was nothing just a disagreement, nothing I can't handle" she replied taking a sip of her coffee screwing up her nose as she realized it had gone cold
"Can I get you a fresh lot?" he asked pointing to her mug
"Ah no I'm fine, I don't know why I made it really" she said smiling softly at him
"How's the hand?" he asked noticing her bandage had gone
"Fine, I grabbed a band aid from your kit didn't see the point in having a bandage on something so small" she said holding her hand up.
"But you're still going to see the quack when we get back to shore" Swaine answered in a stern voice
"Yes Swaine, I will make sure I see the Doctor when we get back to Port" she replied grinning
"Good, can't have my best patient getting sick" he said smirking
"I'm your best patient?",
"And my worst, you get hurt so much more than anyone else on board" he said laughing
"Fair point" she said smiling at him
"I'll leave you too it, I've got to go do some stock intake" he replied moving towards the doorway
"Swaine?" Kate asked as he stopped turning to look at her
"Yeah?"
"You don't have anything for a broken heart do you?" she asked sadly as the smile disappeared from his face
"I'm afraid not Ma'am" he said softly
"Any advice then?" she asked hopeful
"Time…"
"Time?" she asked confused
"Give it time, it'll heal eventually" he replied smiling softly at her
"Thanks…" she said as he nodded before leaving the room as he made his way down the corridor.
Hammersley arrived back in port just after 1800, Kate was glad to be back in port but knew it wouldn't be long before they got called out again making her way over the gangway she smiled as she spotted Glen making his way towards her Kingston had pulled in 5 minutes prior to Hammersley
"Hey" he said smiling
"When you said coffee I didn't expect it to be so quick" she said grinning
"Ha-ha" he said sarcastically
"See ya X" some of the crew said as they walked over the gangway Kate turned to face them
"Have a good shore leave guys" she replied
"Remember X, Doctors" Swaine said grinning from his place near the crew
"Yes Swaine, I won't forget" she said shaking her head
"See ya later" he replied as Kate turned back to face Glen
"Where were we?" she asked as he laughed
"Dinner?" he asked hopeful
"Sure, Dad's supposed to meet here with Logan so maybe he could come too?" she asked as he nodded "Sounds great I can't wait to meet my Nephew he said nudging her shoulder as they began walking towards the carpark
"Kate!" Mike called out as he watched her walking away being too far for her to hear him.
"Mummy!" Logan yelled as Kate and Glen made their way out the gate
"Hey Kiddo!" she said as Logan jumped into her arms
"Glen?" Stan asked confused
"Hey Dad" he said hugging him
"How are you two together?" he said pulling away from the hug
"Funny story actually, Hammersley was called to help a fellow Navy boat who was having engine troubles and it turns out Glen here works on it his CO mentioned that there was a McGregor on Hammersley and he came looking for me" Kate said placing Logan down
"Well if this isn't fait I don't know what is" Stan replied grinning
"We had a good talk" Glen said smiling at Kate
"Yeah we did, speaking of which Glen this is my son Logan" Kate said as Logan moved from next to his Mother
"G'day Logan, I'm your uncle I guess" he said grinning as Logan gave him a hug
"So who's hungry?" Stan asked
"Me" Kate and Glen answered at the same time as Logan looked towards the gates into the docks
"Daddy!" he said running through the gate as he spotted Mike making his way over.
"Mike Flynn?" Glen said smiling as he made his way over with Logan in his arms
"Glen, it's good to see you" he said extending his hand
"It's been a long time" he replied shaking Mikes hand
"I'm sorry you guys know each other?" Kate asked confused
"Yeah he served on Hammersley for a year before transferring" Mike replied as he placed Logan down
"I didn't realise you were still on Hammersley, I thought she was decommissioned?" Glen replied as Kate watched on in confusion
"4 months left on the old girl" Mike replied smiling at him
"Fair enough" Glen said nodding
"How do you and Kate know each other?" Mike asked
"I'm…"
"He's my brother" Kate said looking at Mike as his expression changed
"I should have put it together I mean you share the same last name" he said smirking
"Yeah, look I've got to head home but we still good for coffee tomorrow Kate?" Glen asked hopeful
"Absolutely I'll message you" she said smiling as he moved towards Logan
"See you later buddy" he said giving him a high five
"By Uncle Glen" he said smirking as Kate brushed her hand through his hair as she smirked
"By Dad" he said moving towards the carpark
"I'm off to Katie, I've packed Logan's things back in your car" he said passing her the keys
"Thanks for watching him" she said giving him a hug before he moved to give Logan one
"Bye Poppy" Logan said as Stan made his way towards his car.
"Well that's enough drama for 2 days" Kate said grabbing Logan's hand as she walked towards her car Mike following after her
"Kate, you can't keep ignoring me" he said sadly as she unlocked her car
"I'm not ignoring you" she replied as she opened the door for Logan to get in the back seat
"You are, just talk to me" he said hopeful as she moved inside the car doing up Logan's car seat
"Can we not do this in front of our son?" she replied closing the door
"I'll come over, we can talk later when he's asleep" he asked hopeful
"There's nothing to talk about Mike, I can't be with you despite how much I love you and want to make this work" she said sadly moving towards the driver's side
"I'm sorry, I truly am" he said softly
"I know… Maybe if we met under different circumstances things would be different"
"How about this…"
"I'm listening" she said confused
"After your 4 months left are up we talk properly and discuss whether this is something we want to give another go, if not I'll respect your decision and with co-parent with you in raising Logan nothing more nothing less" he said in hopes she'd consider it
"4 months?" she asked
"Yes and I won't pressure you into making a decision right away" he said smiling at her
"Okay, 4 months but until then we keep things professional while I try and get past forgiving you" she said opening the door
"Okay…" Mike replied smiling as he watched her get in her car and drive off part of him feeling hopeful as she agreed to revisit things in 4 months.
Hey guys the next Chapter will be the last, I'll be doing a fast forward 5 years and we'll find out if Kate took Mike up on his offer of rethinking things after the 4 months :) It's been a whirlwind of drama and until it's done enjoy these 2 new Chapters. Much Love Xx