Ch 78

"Admiral Clark"

"Sir, it's Commander Marshall from Cairns NAVCOM. And I'm sorry to inform you that we got a situation on one of the patrol boats, sir."

"Don't tell me it's the Hammersley."

"I'm afraid it is, sir. We need a new XO within two days." Steve heard the Admiral sigh

"Again? That makes it… what? The sixth?"

"Eight, including the one currently on the ship, sir."

"Lieutenant Commander Flynn better have a damn good reason."

"He has, sir. Lieutenant Bullier not only lied to him but she disrespected his family. There's a recording made by Lieutenant Caetano about it."

"Alright then, leave it to me. Send me copy of the recording and report"

"Yes sir."

The admiral started looking for a new XO as well read Mike and Swain report about about what happen and also listen to the recording that Steve sent to him. He under stands why Mike wants the Lieutenant off Hammersley.

"Sir, this comes for you," RO said getting a sheet of paper to Mike. The crew was busy moving the supplies on land.

"New orders? Who told Commander Marshal?" Mike asked turning his eyes away from Port Moresby whalf and turning his eyes to RO.

"Nav, sir."

"Nav?" he asked in shock

"Yes, sir. You did say you wanted the Lieutenant off the boat sooner rather than later. Lieutenant Young said that the fleet command would find a new XO by the time we return and I'll quote the Admiral's word for you, sir. 'Tell Lieutenant Commander Flynn to stop going through XOs like there's no tomorrow. And no matter what, the one we will send to you will be staying until the decommissioning of the Hammersley. Either you or your crew like it or not. We've got no more Lieutenant replacements."

"Thanks, RO"

"Let's hope it's not another Lieutenant Bullier, sir." Mike grinned.

"God, I hope not either."

Due to maydays, it took them three days to get back to Cairns. The crew was restocking the Hammersley when Swain walked Lieutenant Bullier out and off the ship. They all stopped when a car stopped close to them.

"It must be our new XO," Nav said to Mike. Three people got out of the car, and the whole crew looked at them with wide eyes.

"You've got to be kidding me," Mike said.

"Oh, boy!" Nikki said as they watched Kate grab her duffel bags from the driver before she followed Commander Thomson to Mike.

"Lieutenant Commander Flynn, I'm Commander Thomson. Let me introduce you to your new XO, Lieutenant McGregor."

"Sir? There's something wrong; I can't have her on my boat."

"Excuse me? Lieutenant Commander, this came from the fleet command."

"Sir, what Lieutenant Commander Flynn is trying to say is that my presence here is actually against the rules." Thomas frowned. "Husband and wife shouldn't serve in the same boat, sir."

"What?" He said in shock

"I'm married to Lieutenant Commander Flynn, sir."

"Lieutenant McGregor is right, sir. You can check our records."

"The fleet command knows this, sir. That's why I think there's something wrong, sir." Kate said

"They sure have, but I'm afraid I've got no other choice. Orders are orders, and we don't have time to sort this mess."

"Don't worry, sir. The crew will keep an eye on us," Kate said, she turned around and saw Amy standing close. "Lieutenant Bullier, I am not impressed by your words. Not only lied to your commandering Officer, but you've also got the nerve of venting what you thought of my private life. Even if you think that of me, you should respect your fellow officers and crew and keep it to yourself." Kate told her menacingly. "You were just lucky I wasn't on the Hammersley yet."

"Lieutenant Bullier, get in the car."

"Yes, sir."

"Sir? Where's Commander Marshall?" Mike asked

"Home, he was hospitalized three days ago with appendicitis and now is resting. He's doing well."

"Thank you, sir."

"No problem, Lieutenant Commander, I understand you've known each other for a while. Ah, you also get a new crew member. Seamen Billy Web should be here in few minutes." Mike nodded, and they saluted each other before he walked in the car. Mike turned towards Kate.

"I was informed yesterday. I got here last night."

"And the kids?"

"Mum and dad are looking after them." Nav signaled Mike that she was going to return to the ship and he nodded. "You look great in uniform, Kate." Mike grinned.

"Just wait until I'm in overalls."

"You know that we won't be able to..."

"We are grownups, Mike. We can be professionals on patrol."

"It's going to be hard."

"Just think about the rewards when we return home," Mike smiled

"You know, the way you talked to Lieutenant Bullier, was..." Kate put her hand over his mouth.

"Wait until we get home," she moved her hand away winking at her.

"Hot!" he finished grinning.

"Sir," she warned.

"I had to say it."

"I know."

"That must be our Seamen Web," Mike said, and Kate turned around to see a young guy in a sailor suit running towards them. He barely stopped when he reached them and saluted them both, still half panting.

"Sir! Ma'am! I'm Seamen Web. People call me Spider."

"Welcome aboard, Spider. I'm Lieutenant Commander Flynn, and this is our XO, Lieutenant McGregor, welcome to the Hammersley."

"Thank you, sir, ma'am."

"Nav? Can you get someone to show Spider the sleeping quarters while you take X to yours?"

"Yes, sir," Nav said before they all walked to the Hammersley. Nav found someone to take Spider before she took Kate to their cabin. The moment she closed the door behind them, she turned towards Kate with a grin. "Oh my God! I can't believe that the fleet command sent you here!" Nikki said, Kate grinned hugging her.

"Same here! Tell me, what happens with Bullier? I mean, Steve told me what the recording said, but he didn't want me to listen to the record."

"Well, he had a very good reason," Nikki told her, before telling all she could while Kate got ready.

"Hmm," Kate grinned thoughtfully. "It's not a bad idea," she let out in a whisper.

"What's not a bad idea?" Nikki frowned.

"You know? Softly passing my hands over his chest and getting up through his hair," Kate sighed. "What? I haven't done that in a while!" She grinned.

"I can tell," Nikki grinned, and both laughed. There was a knock on their door.

"Sir," Nav said seriously once she opened the door.

"Nav. I need a word with the X," she nodded, walking out of the cabin. As soon as she was out of the door, Mike closed the door and turned towards Kate. "Looking good... Kate"

"Sir"

"Mike, for a few stolen minutes," he grinned getting closer to her.

"Mike," she grinned against his lips before they kissed.

"I missed you," Mike whispered.

"I miss you, Mike." Then she stepped back, she turned around and opened her bag, pulling the letter she received. "Actually," she started biting her lip before she passed it to him. "I knew this was happening; this showed up when the kids and I were up here," Mike opened the letter and pulled it out.

"Home, you are home," he whispered with widened eyes and a smile.

"Yes, Mike. I'm home."

"Then, let's go and see what the crew is up to," Kate grinned.

"I'll like that," Mike said, Kate placed the letter in her bag, and they kissed once more before he opened the door.

"Show me what you can do, X."

"Yes, sir!" They walked out of the cabin and to the deck where they found Nav.

"Sir, ma'am," Nikki said with a grin that she couldn't stop.

"Nav," they both said frowning in confusion at her demeanor.

"Sir, I'm sorry, but you are wearing X's lip gloss," Kate laughed as Mike got a hanky out to wipe his lips.

"All better, sir. And we are ready to set sail when you are."

"X, shall we?"

"Yes, sir," she turned around and walked towards one of the doors with a little sway in her hips

"Damn her, she going to pay me back later," Mike muttered making Nikki laugh.

The trio found Swain on the bridge and Kate gave the orders as they left port and headed north to start their patrol for the next two weeks. Their first week was boring, nothing was happening but a calm sailing, by the start of the second week, the crew was getting bored of the plain trip.

"Sir, X," Buffer said.

"Buffer," Kate saluted.

"Sir, ma'am. The crew is bored, and that can be dangerous for our peace of mind. I thought we could schedule rescue drills?" Mike turned to Kate

"What do you think, X?" Kate turned to Mike, then to Buffer.

"Sounds like a great idea, I wouldn't mind finding out how well they do it," Kate grinned making Buffer smile.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You heard the X." Buffer grinned and rushed down. "What are you planning, X?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" She grinned mysteriously before she walked down and onto the bridge. Twenty minutes later, Kate watched as the crew trained. Once they finished Kate looked at them; her expression didn't let anything show.

"Well, crew." She started. "That was the worse sea rescue training I've ever seen!" She let out a bit louder. "Buffer, do it again!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

Four hours later, they stopped for the day.

"Buffer, we will do this again tomorrow, until they get it right."

"Yes, ma'am!" She dismissed everyone and walked to the bridge.

"How did it go?" Nav asked.

"They are back at it tomorrow."

"That bad, huh?"

"Yes."

"You are one hard taskmaster, X," Kate smiled.