Ch 94
Over the two weeks, Kate kept herself busy studying the design of the new Hammersley, while the kids were at daycare and Mike at work. It was after one in the afternoon when her cell phone rang.
"Hi Mike," she said with a grin. "is everything ok?"
"Yes, it is. I thought you would like to meet me on the wharf?"
"Now? Why?" She frowned.
"The Hammersley will be here in fifteen minutes."
"I'll meet you there. Bye!" She said hanging up the phone and already grabbing her phone to text Nav.
Then she sent a text to Nav before leaving the house.
Mike was waiting for her when she arrived. Kate walked towards him, and he felt someone watching him, so he turned around and grinned.
"Hey!" he said when she reached him and kissed her.
"It's that her?" She asked half in the kiss. "She's bigger." Mike chuckled at her impatience
"That she is. Shall we?"
"After you," Kate grinned.
They walked into the new Hammersley looking around, Mike grinning at Kate's expression.
"Hey, this is bigger than your old cabin" Kate commented when they reached the captain's cabin.
"This will be a lucky Captain," Mike said. "It has its own suite!"
"Lucky Captain!" They walked out and checked the other cabins. They reached the XO cabin, and Kate opened a door. "Even I get my own ensuite! I love this ship!" After checking it whole, they returned to the bridge.
"Even this is much bigger," Mike said as he sat in the Captain's chair.
"Nav!" Kate said at the door way leading to the side deak as she saw Nikki by the wharf.
"Come on up!" She yelled from the bridge. Kate turn around and walk back onto the bridge.
"Nav here?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, I saw her on the whalf" Nikki walked to the bridge.
"Wow! I'm impressed!" she said looking around and smile when she saw who was in the Captain's chair.
"Sir! I didn't know you were here!"
"How did?" Mike frowned. "Kate told you."
"Yep," Nikki nodded. "I like what I see here." Nikki said when she look around the bridge.
"Then, you are going to love the rest of the boat Nav! We've got our own on suite!" Nav eyes widened in shock.
"You are joking!"
"Nope, the Captain also gets one."
"Wow!"
"You should go and check the rest of the boat" Mike commented with a grin.
"Yes, sir!" She said smiling before walking out of the bridge already fishing her cell phone out of her purse.
"She looks happy," Mike said.
"Yes, she is."
Not even fifteen minutes later they frowned when they heard heavy footsteps, and then there was a knock on the wall.
"Buffer!" Kate grinned.
"X! Sir, I have to say I'm impressed, and I've seen nothing."
"Did Nav call you?" Mike asked
"Yes, sir. She even gave me a tough time saying that she won't have to wait for hours to have a shower," Kate grinned
"Yeah, we got our own on suite."
"Really?"
"Yes… all cabins have them." They talked until Nav returned, Mike couldn't help but chuckle when all the crew showed up.
"For some reason, I knew I would find you here, Mike," Steve said walking into the bridge, the crew stepping to the side as he walked up the last step to the bridge.
"I was going to stay here for lunch only, and then…." Mike trailed waving towards the crew, Steve chuckled.
"They look happy."
"It seems to me that they are happy, Steve."
"Yeah, well… not even a happy crew can stop us from getting back to work, Mike." Mike stood up from the chair.
"Sir, before you go," Buffer said holding a box in his arms. "We would be honored if you placed Thor where he belongs," he finished, and the others nodded.
"Thank you Buffer."
Mike stepped forth and lifted Thor from the box; he walked outside to the front of the bridge. The others walked outside and watched as Mike placed Thor in his place.
"Now, Thor can protect the Hammersley once again," Buffer said, and they all cheered. Mike turned towards Kate and kissed her.
"I'll see you at home."
"In three days, the Hammersley sets sail for her first patrol," Steve commented as they walked on the gang way.
"I know," he answered, taking one look back towards the bridge as they walk along the whalf as he and Steve can hear the crew talking and laughing.
The day the Hammersley was due to set sail, the whole old crew showed up on the boat placing their things away. The new crew members found themselves walking towards Kate on the wharf and, after introducing themselves to Kate, they walked onto the Hammersley to find their designated cabins. Kate checked her watch when her phone rang.
'XO of the Hammersley,' started the text she got, 'the temporary Captain will arrive in half an hour.'
"Temporary Captain?" She frowned.
"Hey X! Where's the Captain?" Nav asked joining her on the wharf.
"We are getting temporary Captain," Kate said passing her the phone.
"So, no idea who it is, right?"
"No. At least we are leaving on time."
"At least," Nav nodded.
"Is everything done?"
"Yep, but… We haven't got an electric technician," Nav frowned.
"No. They trying to find ETs replacement."
"But then we can ship." Kate grinned
"One of the new crew members has an electrician degree."
"Oh, ok," after that, they walked onto the ship to see what has been done.
When it was time, the crew mustered on the deck. A silver car stopped, and two officers got out. Widened eyes and opened mouth showed exactly how impressed they were with the temporary Captain.
"You got to be joking," Kate mumbled. Steve chuckled at the looks.
"Mike," he started patting his shoulder. "I'll see you in three weeks."
"Thanks."
"Your crew looks shocked."
"Well, I'm not surprised."
"And your wife…" Steve whistled.
"She will understand."
"For your own good, I hope so." They shook hands. "Fair winds."
"Sir? You're our temporary Captain?" That was the first thing that Mike heard from his crew.
"Yes, Charge," He grinned. "Don't worry you all; it's only on this patrol. Lieutenant Commander Taylor had a family emergency in Perth. The fleet Commander couldn't find a temporary replacement on short notice, so I volunteered."
"Welcome back, sir." Buffer said smiling
"Thanks, Buffer. You are all dismissed. X, my cabin now, please."
"Yes, sir!" Kate followed Mike into the ship
"X doesn't look happy," Spider said.
"Why is that?" A new crew member asked.
"Oh, you are new. I'm Spider."
"Bomber. Chef and second medic," they shook hands. "So, what's up with the X and the Captain? Does she know him?"
"Knows him? Yeah, the Captain is her husband!" Bomber looked shocked.
"Husband? But, there are Navy rules," he frowned.
"We know. They wouldn't let Commander Flynn captain the Hammersley unless they got no other choice. He was the Captain of the old the Hammersley too."
"And the X?"
"Yep, let me tell you about what happened…" Spider grinned, and they started to walk inside as they talked about the past.
Captain and XO walked into the Captain's cabin, and Kate closed the door behind them while Mike lowered his duffel bag and briefcase on the bed. He sighed before he turned towards her.
"Kate, I know you don't want me here," he started. "I don't want to be here either."
"I understand, Mike. Do you know what's the Lieutenant Commander emergency?"
"Yeah," he lowered his eyes for a second before he met her again. "His parents were in a car accident. The report says that his father suffered a stroke behind the wheel."
"Oh, no!" She said feeling bad for the officer. "How bad was the stroke?"
"I don't know. They are doing the tests today. His mother, however, got a broken leg and ribs from the seat belt."
"It could've been worse," she whispered, and he nodded in agreement.
"So, fill me in while I'm getting changed, who are the new team members?" He asked undoing his shirt. Kate grinned mischievously watching him. He raised his eyes when she never answered.
"Kate," he grinned. "X," he added in a slight warning tone.
"What?" She said blinking as his hands stopped moving. "Sorry," she grinned blushing fiercely.
"The crew members," Mike trailed.
"Oh! Yeah…" She nodded and started her report. By the time she finished, he was finishing lacing his boots. "Mike? Who's looking after our kids?" She asked with concern after a while.
"
I called Hannah; they are going to look after them. I've explained to her the situation, and with mom and dad away she had no issues taking them under her wings. However, I will have to make her up when I return." Kate shook her head.
"That you will, Mike." Mike stood up and groaned at the expression on her face.
"Let me know what's what you want, no matter how much it costs," He let out.
"I'll think about it," she grinned victoriously. He placed a kiss on her lips.
"Mike...sir, you know the rules," it was her time to bring the warning up.
"It's just one for the seas," Kate shook her head before she escaped his arms and walked to the door. She opened the door and looked at him.
"Ah, if I was you, I'll hurry up to remove the lip gloss from your lips...sir. I'll see you on the bridge."
Minutes later, Mike was sitting in the Captain chair with Kate next to him as they took the Hammersley out of Cairns.