CH 164
Half an hour later Hammersley resume there patrol Swain went to check on bird who was in the galley getting dinner on
"Hey are you ok" Swain asked
"I will be"
"you did great today" she turn to him
"did i"
"Yes you did if you haven't of spotted that foot"
"then we wouldn't of known"
"Yes" He step ford and put his arm around her shoulder
"it will take time to get use to that sort of thing"
"I know"
"I'll leave you to get dinner sorted out"
"thanks" He walk out of the galley when buffer walk in
"Hey what can I do to help" buffer said as he put on the hat and apron"
"you can start pealing the potatoes for me"
"sure, you did good today"
"thanks"
Over the next three weeks they attended number of may day calls as well FFV. Bird only went on the may day calls in that time while watching what happens when the boarding team board a FFV.
When they return back to Cairn they were looking ford to few days off. When they dock every one left Hammersley looking ford to meeting up at the pub for dinner and drinks.
When Mike and Kate was in Steve office talking about there patrol and how well Jessica did, Steve was impress in that she done so far even though it was may day calls.
"sounds like she going to be fine" Steve said
"Yes she is" mike said
"mike we should tell him about what she did to two dads" Mike turn to Kate
"Which one"
"New year" mike grin then turn to Steve.
He told Steve about what happen between two dads and bird. When he told Steve about what Jessica said over the PA System. Steve chuckled.
"sounds like she might give him a run for his money" Steve said
"She might Steve but she doesn't play jokes unless the person play it on her first"
Jessica was in her flat sorting out her sea bag when there was a knock on her door so she went to see who it was "Two dads" she said when she open the door
"hi bird going to join us at the pub"
"Who going to be there"
"the whole crew is, we do it every time we return back from a patrol"
"Ok, When"
"An hour we can catch a taxi together with spider"
"ok see you out front then"
"Great" Two dads turn and walk away just as Jessica close and lock the door.
then she went to clean her flat then went to have a long hot shower since they only got a time limit when they are on Hammersley. After she had her shower and sorted out her sea bag then she made her bed.
When done she walk out of her flat locking the door behind her then walk down to where spider and two dads are just as a taxi showed up. They got in and headed to the pub.
When they got there, they went and got them selves a drink then walk out side to where the rest of the crew is. Jessica sat down next to buffer she notice a little girl on his lap, she was looking at Jessica.
"Hello" Emma said
"Hello what your name"
"Emma what yours"
"Jessica"
"Are you on Hammersley"
"Yes I am" Emma smile which cause Jessica to smile in return.
"Bird watch out for this one she would have you wrap around your little finger by the end of the evening" buffer said making every one laugh
"I know, X told me and I can tell she got you wrap around her little finger"
"what can I say she loves me"
"more likely what you buy her" buffer turn to Kate who was grinning at buffer.
Then he turn back to Jessica was was grinning at buffer. "It ok X told me this morning about what Emma is like"
"Ok" then he look down at Emma who was looking up at him
"Emma what to hear some thing funny"
"Yes" she said smiling which cause every one turn to buffer
"Well bird and two dads were on night shift on new years eve when two dads woke every one up just before midnight to let us know that it almost midnight"
He look around to see every one grinning except for two dads. Then he look down to Emma again.
"When he did the count down, he didn't say one"
"Why not"
"Cause all were heard was him screaming over the PA system."
"Scream why did he electrocuted him self" every one laugh
"No in fact bird here left the bridge for few minutes, when she return she was quiet like a mouse while two dads was doing the count down. What she did was...she drop a frozen snake over the captain chair where two dads was sitting and it landed in his lap. He jump as scream at the same time when he saw the snake on his lap"
"Was it poisonous"
"no it was a rubber snake" Emma laugh
"and you know what was really funny"
"what" Emma said. Buffer turn to bird
"Care to tell her" Jessica look at Emma
"I said over the PA system... 'Happy new year every one as for two dads he gone to change his pants since it looks like he wet him self when he spill last of his coffee down his front, night all'. Two dads wasn't happy with me playing a joke on him that morning" Every one laugh including Emma
"where did you get the snake from" Emma asked
"Two dads put it in my bed as a joke but it didn't work so I return it back to him...frozen" Emma turn to two dads
"that would teach you for playing jokes on some one uncle Leo. The joke was on you" Every one laugh.
When every one settle down after teasing two dads, buffer look around at every one.
"I got some thing to tell you all" buffer said. Every one turn to buffer
"I've been transferred to HMAS Melbourne. The last patrol was my last"
"what" the crew was shock excepted for Kate, Mike and bird.
"Why mate" charge asked
"I've spent number of years on patrol boats and after what happen few months ago... with the transferred I also been promoted. Commander Marshal told me this after noon about the promotion"
"congratulations buffer" mike said
"thanks sir"
"Uncle Pete will I see you again" Emma asked
"Yes you will when I have shore leave" He wrap his arms around her for a hug.
"Hey you will be seeing ET" swain said
"I know, he going to be shock when I show up on board. At least I can keep and eye on him and spider while on patrol"
"WHAT" every one said then look to spider
"Yeah I've also been transferred on to Melbourne as well"
"buffer you sure going to have your hands full with both ET and spider" Charge said making every one laugh
"i know, I can handle it" Kate pick her drink
"a toast to buffer and spider you both will be miss by the crew and family. And buffer congratulations on your promotion you deserve it to buffer and spider"
"To buffer and spider"
"thank you X"
Every one had a great time including Jessica as she watches the crew slowly get drunk. Later that night, Mike and Kate left cause it was almost kids bed time. After they left every one else enjoyed them selves over the next few hours before leaving for there own homes or back on to Hammersley since they got watch in the morning.
The crew enjoyed there five day shore leave then they return back to Hammersley with out having spider and buffer on board. They were heading north to drop supplies off two islands then returning back to cairns, they were away for six days.
When they return back to Cairns the crew was looking ford to MJ and David fifth birthday party which was the next day. The next day Mike and Kate were busy getting every thing set up in there back yard with Mike family help. They were lucky it a Saturday. All of MJ and David friends and there parents showing up to the party with the Hammersley crew and there families.
By ten O'clock every one showed up and having a wonderful time. The kids were playing different games while the adults were either joining in on the fun or talking while keeping an eye on the kids.
When it was lunch time the parents got there kids there lunch first since it was all finger food. When the adults started getting there buffer saw who walk around the corner of the house
"Nav, ET" he said smiling as he walk over to then and gave them a hug then look down at Micheal who was looking at him.
Then he look up at them "Great timing we were starting to have lunch"
"We know, I text X to let her know that we were going to be late"
"Ok" then some of the crew members walk over to great them then return back to get there lunch.
Buffer was sitting next to Nav while ET was siting across from Nav with Michel on his lap. ET was feeding Micheal while having his lunch at the same time
"Gee how old is Michel now?"
"six months" ET said
"they don't stay small for long" Buffer said
"No they don't...buffer we heard that you on Melbourne" Nav said
"Yeah and so is spider"
"We know" ET said as he feed Micheal.
"so don't worry Nav I'll keep an eye on bother spider and ET"
"Ah buffer you haven't heard" Nav said looking at him
"Heard what"
"josh isn't on Melbourne , he transferred to Bendigo last month"
"what" buffer was shock
"Yeah now I can spend more time with Nikki and Micheal, where as while on Melbourne I was lucky to see them two, three weeks in two months. When Nikki was close to her due date I was lucky to get that maturity leave for one patrol but when Micheal was late the captain extended"
"That was good of him"
"Yeah it was, I was with Nikki for two months before returning back to Melbourne"
"Ok" Every one had a wonderful lunch.
After lunch the twins blew out the number five candle that was on there birthday cakes. They both wanted blue so they got white star fishes blue sea shells, waves that was on the edge of the cakes and there names was done in blue. Every one enjoy a slice of cake they got.
While the adults relax in the afternoon while the kids return back to there games for the next couple of hours before the parents took there kids home leaving the Hammersley crew and there families as well Mike families stayed behind since they were having a barbeque dinner.
Two days later Mike and Kate took there kids to school. It was the first time for the twins to go to school and was looking ford to it. When the boys were settle in Miss Taylor class room they left to go to NAVCOM to see Steve since they were leaving that afternoon to drop supplies off on an island. Mike drop Kate off in front of Hammersley before heading to NAVCOM.
When he arrived there he went to see Steve only it wasn't Steve he saw in the office, he walk in with a smile on his face
"Maxine" she turn the chair around and smile
"mike" she stood up and walk around the desk to give him a quick hug
"what are you doing here" Mike asked
"I was transferred up here, you didn't know"
"no when did this happen?"
"Two days ago"
"Steve didn't tell me when I last saw him few days ago"
"I know he didn't get his new orders till the day after he saw you and it captain Marshal"
"Steve got promoted good for him. Where is he"
"fleet command in Canberra"
"good for him"
"so how are you Mike" Mike sat down while Maxine return back to her seat.
"I'm good thanks how Terri and Ryan"
"good they finish school last year"
"Ok I haven't seen them in years"
"Well you got no excuses now" she said smiling
"True. Maxine. What happening with Hammersley when I last spoke to Steve he said Hammersley will be dropping of more supplies"
"Yes that right" They talk for a few minutes about it.
"New orders from fleet command." She past him a sheet of paper. Mike read what it says
"security for I.P.P American ambassador Davis"
Mike reads that the ambassador will be on the HMAS New Castle giving medal presentation ceremony to four navy personal whom return from the gulf war a week ago.
Mike then look up at Maxine. "it cutting it fine with the supplies drop off Maxine"
"I know Mike and good news is that lieutenant commander Coburn will be back in four days to resume his command"
"Ok, is there any thing else Maxine?"
"Yes when Hammersley return after the ceremony Hammersley new Bosun will be here"
"that would great. It been hard that the crew had to be extra careful when they were attending may day calls"
"I bet" they talk for few more minutes before Mike left to head to Hammersley for the last time.