Ch 88

Four hours later, Mike and Kate walked into Steve office and sat down.

"Mike, Lieutenant, how was your patrol?"

"Tiring. We are all happy with the two weeks off," Mike said.

"That busy?"

"More than just busy," Mike huffed. He pulled out his notebook and opened it. "Forty maydays, sixty FFV none of them seaworthy. Fifty boarding on suspicious boats, ten of them were drug busts and one ice boat," Steve sat back in his chair

"You have been busy. No wonder you both look so exhausted."

"That is why we are looking forth to the two weeks shore leave. We are in desperate need of it."

"Spending it with the kids I assume?"

"Yes! We are taking them to sea world for two weeks," Mike said smiling

"Some of the crew are going too, and they offered to look after the kids for a few hours while we go onto some of the rides," Kate explained making Steve smile.

"Well! I'm sure your kids will enjoy it."

"Yes, they will."

"Before you go, I spoke to agent Murphy. Dr. homes were able to test her samples and other samples that the agent collected for her. It's not good, I'm afraid. The quarter she got from Bright island came back positive for the toxin, and the ones that the agents collected also came back positive. Also, when the Agents were getting the samples, they came across a boat anchored close to the island. They found two male corpses. The autopsy marked their decease three months earlier. They send their blood to Dr. Homes, and it was poisoning. The agents reported four crab shells half eaten on board."

"So, the Bright island is a biohazard because of the toxin."

"Yes. They also found where it was being made. The good news is that Creek island came up clear."

"That is good news," Mike said

"And what about the Pacific mariner, sir?" Kate asked

"Agents are on the lookout on both islands, they have spotted the barge sometimes and reported it in."

"The owner doesn't know about the agents on the island?"

"They believe they don't. But, the lookup has brought some leads."

"How so?"

"Dr. homes were able to identify some people who were at the labs around the time she started working on the antidote. One person, a male called, Rick Gallagher."

"Who is he?" Mike asked

"The owner and Captain of the Pacific mariner," the Flynn's looked at each other.

"What are the feds' plans?"

"They don't have proof for now. Now, hand me your reports and go enjoy your two weeks leave," they grinned and gave their reports.

"Good. I don't want you close to NAVCOM until the end of your two weeks."

Mike and Kate stood up and walked out of Steve office.

"Well, at least we know who's behind the toxin," Mike grinned.

"Leave it to the feds, Mike!" Steve warned.

They walked out to the parking lot and once, inside the car, Kate placed her hand on top of Mike's.

"Mike," he turned around to look at her. "Forget about work for the two weeks. Please, if it not for me, do it for our kids."

"I'm sure you will know a way to make me forget," Kate smiled.

"Yes, I do. Let's go and pick up our kids."

"Sounds good to me."

Once they picked the kids from his parent's house, they headed home. There, Kate kept the kids busy while Mike got changed. Then it was his turn so she could get changed. They went out for an early dinner, then, as there was no food they went into a grocery store to pick the things they would need for breakfast. On the way home, the kids fell asleep, so when they arrived, they put the kids to bed. Lowering down they kissed them goodnight and walked down to their bedroom to start packing for their holiday.

"We only need to pack the kids' clothes," Mike said, and Kate grinned mischievously.

"I'll pack them earlier," she added, and he walked to her wrapping his arms around her waist.

"Everything ok?" She asked.

"Yes," he whispered before he lowered his head to kiss her. She started undoing the buttons of his shirt, and after making the most of their early night, they fell asleep in each other's arms.

The next morning, they packed the kids' clothes before they made breakfast and woke the kids. Soon the van that was going to take them to the airport showed up, and as Mike took care of the bags and stroller, Kate took the kids to the van. Once they arrived at the airport, they found Buffer, Spider, and ET waiting for them.

"Morning guys," they greeted.

"Morning, X, sir," they all said

Buffer walked around to help Mike with the bags and stroller, while Spider and ET helped Kate with the children.

"Uncle Pete!" Emma jumped up and down on Kate's arms.

"Hey, Emma!" Buffer greeted her before Emma jumped into his arms.

"Have you been a good girl?"

"Aha," she nodded

"Good girl."

"Come on, guys. We don't want to be late for our plane," Kate said once the twins were settled in the stroller and Emma was seating on Pete's shoulder. They walked to the front desk to leave their bags.

"Here you go, sir. Your flight will be at gate two, and leaves in twenty minutes."

"Thank you," they all said then walk towards gate two.

"Daddy! There's Auntie Nikki!" Emma said pointing over to the seats.

Nikki heard her name and looked up from her book smiling when she saw Emma on Buffer's shoulder. She stood up, closing the book and shouldered her bag and walked towards them.

"Hi, guys!"

"Hi, Nav. Are you still joining us next week, right?" Mike asked

"Yes, sir."

"Auntie Nikki! Hug!" Emma ordered. Pete lifted Emma from his shoulders and lowered to Nikki's arms. "Are you coming with us?" Emma asked with a big grin.

"Not yet," Emma frowned. "I'm going to Perth for a few days then I'm joining you all."

"Why?"

"Because my family is there and I haven't seen them in a long time."

"Really?" Nikki smiled.

"Yes. But don't worry, we'll see each other next week." Emma grinned.

"Good."

"Have heaps of fun with your mummy, daddy, MJ, David, uncle Pete, uncle Billy and uncle Josh. Can you do that for me?"

"Yup."

"Good girl," then they heard over the PA system that their plane to Gold Coast was ready for boarding.

"That us," Mike said. Emma and Nikki hugged once more before Emma was back on Buffer's arms. "Bye Auntie Nikki."

"Bye Emma! Bye guys have fun!"

"We will come on," Mike said as they walked away from Nikki.

Once they got to the gate, Josh turned around to smile and wave at her quickly. She waved back and rushed to her gate. But not before she placed her ring on her finger.

On Gold Coast, Mike rented an SUV for the two weeks, he took it to the group, and quickly they piled the things up and placed the kids in car seats and took off. Ten minutes later, they had to make the first stop, Emma needed to go to the washroom. Then after a while, they were parking in front of the hotel. Once they were all settled, they meet at the Waterfall Café for lunch.

Over the first week they all enjoyed their time, they went to see the sea animals, and Kate and the kids watched the guys as they went down different water slides. Kate and Mike went swimming with the dolphins. Buffer, Spider and ET gave them a hard time with Spider yelling out "Kiss the dolphin!"

"Uncle Billy? Why don't you kiss the dolphin?" Emma asked making them all laugh. Hearing the laughter, Mike and Kate turned towards the crew.

"Emma asked Spider why doesn't he kiss the dolphin!" Mike and Kate laughed. The trainer looked at them then to the crew.

"They are our friends and kids," Kate explained.

"Ah, Spider is a funny nickname."

"It's his Navy nickname," Mike said

"Navy?"

"Yes, ma'am. We are stationed on a patrol boat in Cairns."

"Really?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm the Captain, and my wife is the XO or second in command."

"Well, it's good to see you all get along. Shall we go swimming?" They nodded and took off, once the time was up, they signed the papers and completed their address so they could get the pictures and video send home.

Another day, the guys knocked the door to pick the kids for the day.

"Hey guys," Mike greeted, opening their suite door to let them in.

"Mike, what's going on?" Kate asked seeing the crew enter the room.

"It was going to be a surprise," Mike grinned. "If there's something wrong, we will have our phones out."

"Don't worry, boss. We are going to have heaps of fun," Buffer said

"So, we are leaving now," Mike said extending his hands towards Kate.

"Daddy? Where are you going?" Emma asked.

"I'm taking mum somewhere for a little while. But don't worry we will be back soon."

"Will you?"

"Yes, and guess who's coming here today?"

"Grandma!"

"No, Nikki and Charge are arriving today!" Emma grinned "When?" Kate tried not to laugh.

"This afternoon before we return. And you can tell her all you've been doing so far."

"Ok," Mike hugged her before passing her to Buffer.

"Now, you be a good girl, ok?"

"Ok," Emma nodded.

"Have fun you two and don't worry about us," ET said

"I'm the one that should be worried," Kate muttered.

"Don't worry, X. You can trust us."

"It's not you the ones who worry me," she grinned.

"Hey! When did I surprise you with something you didn't like!" Mike pouted.

"Oversensitive, aren't we?" Kate grinned. "I was talking about the kids."

"Oh, okay!"

"Emma, be good, will you?"

"Yes, mummy."

Kate kissed Emma's cheek and grabbed Mike's hand and pulled him towards the door. The moment they closed the door they could see her Spider's voice.

"Who wants to go swimming!" Spider yelled.

"Me! Me!" Emma grinned.

"Alright, let's get you all ready to go swimming," ET said as they moved to

get the things ready.