Ch 79
The moment they got back to Cairns, the crew made all the best to get out off the Hammersley as fast as they could after have spending three days with the sea rescue practices. Mike and Kate walked into NAVCOM and into Steve office
"Mike, Lieutenant. How were the two weeks?"
"Too quiet, Steve. Not even a mayday."
"What did you do?"
"Training practice, sir. Until they got it right," Kate said.
"And how many times did that made?"
"Three days."
"Three days?"
"Yes, sir," Kate gave him a file. "Here's my report, sir."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. And how well did you two do out there?"
"It was complete torture, Steve. Kate set some ground rules while we were on patrol," he sighed while Kate tried not to smile.
"But you do work well together."
"Yes, sir."
"Steve, what happened at the fleet command? Did someone screw up the orders again?"
"I'm afraid so, Mike. You were supposed to get Lieutenant Jacobson, but he ended being posted on a frigate heading to Iran."
"And there's no other Lieutenant available."
"I'm afraid not Mike. As the fleet command told you before, you are stuck with her until the decommissioning of the Hammersley," Mike sighed.
"This is going to be torture."
"We can handle it, sir," Kate affirmed. Mike turned to Steve.
"I'm quite sure this is the fleet command revenge," Steve grinned.
"I have no idea, Mike. Now, with the engine problems, the Hammersley is going to be in dry dock for two weeks. Your crew will be getting messages to let them know."
"Thanks, Steve."
They left NAVCOM a while later and got home fairly quickly. After discarding their duffel bags, they walked straight into the shower kissing. They made love and spend the next hours in bed.
"How are you feeling, Kate?"
"Happy, you?"
"Very happy," his cell phone started ringing.
"Let's hope it's not a crash sail," Kate said as Mike answered the phone
"Mike Flynn. Hi, Nav. Sure, we will be there. Alright," he hung up, lowered the phone on the bedside table and turned to Kate.
"No crash sail, it was Nav wondering if we're going to join the crew for dinner and drinks at the pub. She said there was a surprise waiting for us."
"Do you want to go, Mike?"
"No, but if we don't show up," he trailed.
"They will come here."
"Exactly," he moved until he was on top and made love once more before they got up to get ready.
They walked into the pub, after paying the cab. The crew was outside talking and laughing, and Kate smiled at the view while Mike got them drinks.
"Kate," Mike called passing her a glass of wine
"Thanks"
"Shall we go and join them?"
"We better. We've been spotted," Mike grinned and they walked outside, Mike's hand rested on her lower back.
"Sir! X! You've made it!" Nav said smiling
"It seems we did, Nav," they sat down with the crew listening to them laugh and joke.
"Sir, what are your plans while on shore leave?" Spider asked
"I'll be spending it with my family," Mike grinned.
"I didn't know you were married, sir. Where is your family?"
"That would be me, Spider. Or part of it at least, I'm his wife," Kate grinned, Spider frowned.
"How can you serve on the same ship?"
"That's what we said, but the fleet command posted Kate on the Hammersley. There is no other Lieutenant available."
"Don't' worry, Spider, the crew, knows our relationship and our kids."
"Emma has all the guys wrapped around her little finger," Nav said smiling
"Hey! We are not that bad!" ET said
"Yes, you are ET. I've seen you play with our sons," Mike said with his eyebrows raised.
"How many kids do you have, sir, ma'am?"
"Three. Emma's two and the boys will turn one next week."
"You are joking, X! Next week?" Buffer said
"Yes"
"You know what that means, sir, ma'am?" They laughed.
"Of course, Buffer! And yes, you are all invited." They all cheered.
"Mummy! Daddy! You are back!" The whole crew turned to the little voice before they all saw Emma running towards them. Mike moved to pick her up.
"Hello, sweetie! This is a surprise, I've missed you," Mike whispered to Emma
"I missed you, daddy." He hugged her close before she went to Kate and then to Nav and around the table. Mike turned to see the rest of the family standing a little further away.
"Mum! Dad! This is a surprise," Mike said walking towards them.
"We've been up here since yesterday. Commander Marshall called us."
"I should have guessed it, dad." The kids also went around from arm in arm as they made room for Mike's family. "How long are you going to be here?" Mike asked
"Until your next patrol."
"Really, are you staying with Hannah and Brad then?"
"Yes, we are."
They talked and laughed over the next hour before they all ordered dinner and more drinks.
"Enjoying yourself, mom?" Kate asked Michelle as they found each other in the washroom.
"Yes, thanks for asking. I've got the papers for you to sign."
"Really? Thanks! Can we talk about it tomorrow?"
"Sure," Kate walked out and went to get herself a drink. "Enjoying yourself, Charge?" she asked as he joined her in the bar waiting for their drinks.
"Yes, ma'am. It's good to have you on the Hammersley," Kate turned towards him.
"Why is that?"
"The boss is happier and more relaxed than I have ever seen him while out on patrol," Kate smiled
"That's good to know."
"You know how it is; a happy boss keeps a happy crew."
"Hopefully, we'll get some action."
"Yeah, and hopefully we can beat Kingston record."
"What's that about?" She asked Charge snorted
"They are our rivals, X. There's been a competition between both crews for years… in their last patrol, they got five mayday's, three drug busts with one hundred k of drugs and five FFV in a month getting way ahead of us; they are rubbing it in."
"Well, then we don't want that," Kate said smiling
"No, we don't, ma'am. They got the new patrol boat, and that gives them advantage."
"Charge, it's not the boat. It's the crew."
"You are right, ma'am. But, how can we?"
"Think positively, Charge. And when does this contest ends?"
"When the Hammersley gets decommissioned, ma'am."
"Then it sounds like we got our work cut out."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Hi mate, what will it be?" The bartender asked as they turned towards him.
"Fifteen guava mojos, and ten orange juices. Thanks, mate."
"Coming right up," Charge paid the drinks, and the man started to prepare their order.
"So, the crew's getting drunk tonight."
"As they do, every time we have a night on shore leave," Kate shook her head smiling.
"How are your kids?"
"Good, Jamie's on HMAS Darwin as midshipmen. Amy is on HMAS Sydney as seamen."
"Just like you."
"Yes, ma'am!" Charge turned when he felt someone looking at them. He frowned and Kate followed his line of sight. Amy Bullier was glaring at them, but at the end, she turned around and walked out of the pub.
"Sorry, ma'am."
"Nothing to apologize, Charge."
"She didn't look happy."
"How would you be if you get an honorary discharge because of that incident?"
"Not happy," he agreed. "You know, that's the second officer on the Hammersley that got honorary discharged."
"Who was the other one?" Kate asked
"Lieutenant Watson"
"I didn't know that"
"Yeah, I found out about it today from a mate of mine in NAVCOM."
"Hey!" Buffer interrupted them as he walked closer. "Where are the drinks, mate? The crew is getting restless."
"They are coming," Kate said
"Cool. Hey, I've noticed Bullier leaving the pub. She didn't look happy, did she say something to you?"
"No, but she has a very good reason to be angry. She got honored discharged for the incident," Kate explained.
"Well, she should've known that no one tries to flirt or have their way with the captain and get away with it," Buffer affirmed, Kate, smirked
"What about me, Buffer?"
"Sorry, X. You have a very good reason to do it, as long as you are not bringing it to the boat, I'll be happy."
"You don't have to worry about it, Buffer. We know the Navy rules, and we figured ground rules for him too."
"For him? He's the captain."
"Yes, I know he is the Captain. But there is such thing as temptation. Just think when there are other women on the boat, and you like them. For Mike and I, can be complicated because we are a couple. It's a lot of self-control on both parts."
"Well, X. What can I say but I'm really glad I'm not in your shoes!" Charge said as the bartender lowered trays in front of them.
"Thanks, mate!" Buffer smiled thankfully to the bartender as they picked the trays walking outside.
"Guava mojo!" Buffer and Charge called over, and the crew cheered at them. Inside, the bartenders exchanged a grin.
"I guess the Hammersley is on the port?" A guy on the bar said.
"Yep, that's them alright." One of the bartenders answered. "It's a shame that the other crews don't act like them."
"I agree. Who's the blonde woman? I think I've seen her before."
"Andy called her X, so she must be the new XO."
"Gee! That makes it what? Five?"
"Yeah! I hope she stays, the Captain looks happy."
"Hopefully he remains like that," he took one look at Kate. "You know, her husband must be a lucky guy."