CH 173
Two days later Hammersley left port for two week patrol with Mike being the captain once again. Three days later it was on the front page of all Australia as well the Washington post a photo of bird and Mike standing on Hammersley with the Hammersley sign above there head plus another one of them both together for a close up cause of there metals. With the tittle saying
'Australian navy patrol boat Hammersley hero's save American ambassador Davis life'
it got in it about what happen and that the assassin is a wanted man for number of dearths of foreign delegates around the world and that the man it a train killer. And that number of government agency's were please that the killer has been captured but shock when the learn that a seventeen year old girl defeated as well knock the assassin out after he try to kill the captain of Hammersley.
When Hammersley return from there two week patrol they were looking ford to some shore leave. Mike went to see Maxine while Kate sorted out the rosters before Mike return to pick her up before heading home for three days before leaving for a six week patrol. When mike finish talking with Maxine about there patrol, Maxine past mike number of large envelopes
"what this" mike asked when she saw some with his names and bird names on them.
"I have no idea Mike but half of them is for Seamen bird"
"Really, I'll give her these when I return back to Hammersley"
"Now business out of the way, got any plans tonight Mike" mike smile
"an early night as the reports show we had a busy five days with may days and FFV, X ordered me to my cabin to get some rest during each calls"
"and you let her"
"Yes she told me she would wake me when we got closer to the boat since it was two, three hours before we reach the ship in question plus I haven't had much sleep cause of the number of may days during the storm didn't help either"
"you do look tied"
"thanks" they talk for a few more minutes before mike left to get his car then drove to Hammersley to pick up his sea bag and Kate.
He also found out that bird left half an hour early back to her place. So When Kate and mike left ten minutes after he return to Hammersley they went around to the navy complex to drop the letters off for bird.
Mike walk up to bird apartment and knock on the door and waited. When the door open bird got towel wrap around her head and she was wearing a bathrobe
"sir"
"sorry bird did I get you out of the shower"
"I got out couple minutes ago, is every thing alright, I didn't received crash sail message" mike smile
"no these came for you they were sent to NAVCOM" he pass her the envelopes
"thank you sir"
"Enjoy your shore leave"
"Thanks sir, I'm off to bed to get some sleep after the storm we went through haven't had much sleep"
"I under stand, get plenty of rest"
"I will sir, have to be back on Hammersley I'm on gut watch tonight"
"Alright, enjoy your shore leave"
"thanks sir" mike turn and walk away while bird close and lock the door.
Then she walk into the living dinning area where she open her mail. In side the large envelopes was a letter and a special award certificate that was laminated with her name and the government signature. The first one was from Ambassador Davis. She read what he has to say
"Dear seamen Jessica Bird this government award certificate is only award to person who is not American for putting there lives on the line to save a government effectual life. I have put you name ford for what you did to save not only my life but of commander Flynn. Seamen bird my government has read my report about what happen that night and with my recommendation to reward you this certificate. Only a hand full of people like your self earn it. As Dutchy said to me that night at the pub you are a hero... my hero. For what you did that night you took out the most wanted dangerous assassin in the world. My government is please that he is caught. Thank you. Ambassador Davis'
Jessica was shock then she look at the two signatures one was from ambassador and the other from the president of the untied states of America. Then she notice some thing else in the envelope she she pulled it out and smile it was a photo of her with the ambassador after she received her metal.
She sat down and open other large envelopes to see the same thing from other counties including one from the prime minster of England and one from the queen her self. When bird finish reading all her mail she gather it up and put it away then she went to get into her nightwear and took care of her hair before going to bed and getting some rest.
When Mike and Kate arrived home Kate went to sort out there bags and groceries while mike went to see what was in the envelopes. When he pulled out the laminated certificate award and letters he read what they said then he notice one from ambassador Davis a photo of him shaking hands with the ambassador for the media. It was after he received his metal. He smile when he notice Hammersley in the back round.
When Kate walk into the office she was already change in a light summer dress. She walk over and sat on his lap to see what he holding in his hand
"You look handsome in your uniform Mike" she turn to look at him and gave him a kiss
"so do you"
"what was in the envelopes"
"these" she show Kate the letters and the awards
"We should make copies of these for Security reasons and get these framed"
"Good idea Kate but for now I need to get out of this uniform"
"Need any help"
"Why not"
Kate stood up and held onto mike hand as he stood up then they walk out of the office together while grinning.
Later that night mike and Kate heard a car pull up out side. "I'll see who it is" Kate said as she stood up and walk to the door when they heard the door bell ring. Kate open the door and was shock to see who on the door step
"commander white" Kate said in shock
"lieutenant McGregor" Maxine said in shock
"Are you here to see... mike" then she notice what Maxine got in her hands
"Ah yes, what are you doing here, you know the navy rules, I hope you and mike aren't seeing each other" Kate was shock with what Maxine said
"what mike and I do is our business ma'am"
"Kate who at the door" Kate turn to Mike
"commander white" mike was shock then he walk to where Kate is and look out side
"Maxine"
"Mike I thought I bring these to celebrate your metal" she show him the two bottles of wine
"you should of called first Maxine. Plus I said to you that I was planing on having an early night" Maxine look from mike to Kate then back to Mike
"I see" the the phone rings
"I'll get it, it my phone" mike said as he walk away
"Lieutenant how long has this...affair been going on"
"commander white what goes on in mike or my private life got nothing to do with you ma'am good night" then Kate close and lock then door then she walk down and into the kitchen to see mike talking to some one then he hung up
"Kate what happen"
"Knocker wanted to know how long this affair been going on for"
"what" mike was shock
"Even I was shock. I think she was here to seduce you"
"seduce me"
"Yes two bottles of wine. Like the last time she try what was it eighteen, nineteen years ago, remember" Mike thought about it
"Your right. Well she was disappointed and shock when she saw you"
"Yeah...who was on the phone" Mike smile
"Mum she invited us around tomorrow night for dinner"
"sounds good to me" Mike pulled Kate into his arms and gave her a kiss
"Lets go to bed"
"Sounds like a great idea to me"
they kiss before walking around turning lights off and making sure the doors and windows were lock before they walk up and into there bedroom not knowing that Maxine was watching the house from the road side. When she saw the lights turn off she left to head home.
The next night Mike and Kate showed up at Mike parents place for dinner, they were greet by the whole family including their kids whom Hannah been looking after them while mike and Kate were out on patrol. Later that evening while out side Mike went in side to to to the toilet. When he walk into the kitchen to get another drink when Hannah walk in
"mike are you ok" Mike turn to Hannah as he close the fridge door
"Maxine drop by last night"
"Did you know she was showing up"
"no I was shock and so was Kate" Mike lean against the bench while removing the cap of the beer bottle
"I bet there a but"
"she showed up with two bottles of wine" Hannah was shock
"you joking Mike"
"I'm not her excuse was to celebrate my metal that I received"
"doesn't that women ever give up"
"Hannah"
"Mike look at what happen last time when was it twenty years ago she showed up at you place with two bottles of wine. You said no to her cause she was married and all you want to be is friends. When you told me about what happen that night and what I founds out from her, I was shock"
"I know when you told me even I was shock. That is why I hardly saw her and Stewart over the next few years but at least I keep in contact with Ryan and Terri"
"that true and I did tell you back then you should of told Stewart about it but you said no"
"I know he has a right to know. But there marriage fell apart when the twins were six years old"
"i know...Mike to told Stewart what happen" mike was shock
"you what" she put her hand up
"i did when i started telling him what you told me, he was going to hunt you down but I stop him and told him the rest. I said to him that Maxine is a friend and nothing else and that you don't sleep with your friend you known for a few years especially a married friend who trying to start a family. That is why there marriage fell apart. When I saw him after there divorce he told me what happen and that and he wanted to know if he is Ryan and Terri father. Maxine couldn't give him an answer. He told me that Maxine wanted you to be god father to the kids" mike thought about it
"she using the kids to get to me, no wounder Stewart was angry with her"
"Now you know. And now she trying again. Dose she know that you and Kate are married"
"No"
"Mike you should tell her then she would back off"
"i know Hannah. When Kate and I return back from out patrol and fleet command hasn't got a captain by them I'll be going to see them. Give them a choice"
"Choice"
"I'll be giving them a month to find another captain or I won't sign my new contracts which is due about that time" Hannah was shock
"dose Kate know this"
"Yes she dose and she backing me one hundred percent. I'm thinking of our family first. That is why I'm going to do it"
"good for you Mike"
"thanks, lets head out side"
"sure" then they walk out side talking about some thing else
The next morning Hammersley left port for there six week patrol. A month into there patrol every one heard
"Now here this captain speaking"
"no kidding" Kate said which every one heard and chuckled
"Since we had a busy month thank to fleet commander we are stopping off at a resort this afternoon where we got three days shore leave. X will do up a roster for the three days which starts tonight. And good news as a special reward fleet command is paying for meals and drinks while we are there" Every one cheered
"So please all be on your best behavior or the you will have the X to deal with, that is all" then mike put the mic back in it spot then turn to Kate shaking his head at her
"sir you forgot to add to your announcement" charge said
"what that charge" mike asked
"It bird birthday tomorrow"
"I know"
"Oh"
that afternoon Hammersley dock, every one walk looking ford to some shore leave so the ones who wasn't on duty left Hammersley to enjoy them selves. Mike and Kate stayed on board so they could finish there paper work.