CH 174
The next morning bird walk into the galley to start making breakfast when she was greeted by Dutchy
"Morning Dutchy, what are you smiling at"
"you" then he pick her up and put her over his shoulder while she squeal
"Dutchy what are you doing" He turn around and walk out of the galley and put her feet on the ground
"Dutchy"
"Go back to bed"
"i got work to do"
"bird, go on" he raise his eye brows at her
"Ok if any of the crew ended up with food poisoning I'll blame you" He smile as she turn around and walk away.
"all clear" Dutchy said then Kate and swain showed up
"Ok lets get cooking" Kate said
When breakfast was ready bird walk around the corner to where the others are when they were getting there own breakfast.
"wow Dutchy who help you and why"
"you deserve a brake once in a while"
"Ah ha you want dome thing from me"
"no" he said smiling.
Bird got her breakfast and walk into the junior mess where she join the others. After breakfast and every thing done the crew except for the ones who on watch went to the resort where they went and enjoyed them selves.
Kate and mike were sitting next to each other while they talk and enjoyed there drink while the crew was in the pool. Dutchy walk out with his bag and towel he put it down where the others put there then he walk to the edge of the pool
"Dutchy, bird"
Two dads said pointing to where bird was walking out of the women side of the changing rooms so Dutchy hid be hind a shrub and waited. When bird put her thing down she walk to the edge of the pool when Dutchy snuck up behind her and scoop her up in his arms causing her to squeal
"Dutchy" when she saw who it was
"Happy birthday chicken legs" then he throw her into the pool then he dive in next to her.
When she stood up she turn around to see the others laughing then she turn to Dutchy who just surface next to her. She slap his arm
"One day I'll get you back for that" then he pulled her in to his arm for a hug then they pulled apart and swam over to where the others were. They all wish her a happy birthday as well
"you know what that means" charge said
"What" bird said then he past her a drink menu
"you can have alcohol"
"I know that but I have to wait till I get my ID up dated"
"Already done before our last patrol" RO said
"what" bird said
"Yeah, X got it so what are you going to order first" RO said
"It to early RO"
"i know" Every one enjoyed them selves near the pool side.
That afternoon. Mike and Kate went for a walk along the beach with there arms around each other while talking.
Later that night every one turn up at the restaurant for bird birthday dinner party. Every one enjoyed them selves. Bird first alcohol drink was guava mojo which every one cheered when she took her first sip of it. Every one had a great evening, laughing, talking, joking, having a wonderful time. They all return back to Hammersley since some of them are due to be on watch while the others get there rest.
The next morning the crew left for a few hours shore leave since Hammersley was leaving that afternoon to finish there remaining patrol before returning back to Cairns.
When they return back to Cairns every one was looking ford to a week shore leave. Mike went to see Maxine while Kate finish things on Hammersley before mike picks her up since she would be carrying both of there sea bags off Hammersley.
When Kate got in the back seat next to mike since Mike car is in the garage for a service and a warrant of fitness and wasn't ready till tomorrow Mike driver was taking him and Kate home.
"Are you ok Mike"
"yes" Kate look at him and put her hand in his.
He turn to her "We will talk about it when we get home"
"Ok. Hannah dropping kids off at the pub in an hour"
"that ok most of the crew will already be there"
"True" when they arrived home They thank the leader before he drove back to NAVCOM.
When they walk in side Mike deactivated the security alarm then he and Kate walk up stairs to there bedroom where they went to have a long hot shower together and made love while in there. After wards they both got dress and sorted out there sea bags before sitting down on the bed together
"what wrong Mike"
"i ask Maxine if she found another captain for Hammersley, she said there none available and that I'm stuck on Hammersley for a year"
"what" Kate said in shock
"that what I said. I told Maxine she had six weeks to find some one..."
"she must be stalling mike"
"i know"
"Want me to make reservations to Canberra"
"Thanks Kate"
"I'll do it tomorrow" then she held onto his hand and stood up pulling him to stand up then they wrap there arms around each other and kiss
"Lets go and see our kids" Kate said
"good idea Kate" Then they walk out of there bedroom and down stairs again.
When they arrived at the pub Mike went and got them both a drink while Kate walk out side to where the crew is. There kids went to greet Kate with hugs and kisses then they sat close to her waiting for Mike to walk out the door.
When he did and put his drink and Kate on the table he was able to give the kids a hug and kiss before sitting down next to Kate. Every one enjoyed there evening talking and laughing. Later that evening mike, Kate and their kids left to go home.
The next morning Kate made some phone calls while Mike was cooking breakfast. When she finish making the calls she turn to him
"you got a ten o'clock flight to Canberra this morning and I manage to get you in to talk to fleet command at three this afternoon. There will be a car and driver waiting for you at the air port. Your flight back to Cairns is at eight tonight" Kate said as she pass him the piece of paper
"thank Kate" he lean over and give her a kiss. Just as the kids ran into the kitchen for breakfast.
Hour later Kate gives Mike a hug and kiss before he walk out the door to a waiting taxi. "Mummy where daddy going?" MJ asked
"He gone to see some one important about work"
"when will he be back" Emma asked
"Tonight" Kate said as she close the door and turn to her kids
"Who want to go shopping"
"Me" Emma said smiling
"ok lets get some shoes on before leaving shall we" The kids ran down to where they keep there shoes and sandles.
When mike walk in to fleet command head quarters he walk into Admiral of the fleet Baxter office. Mike saluted the admiral as he did in return "commander Flynn this is a surprise, please sit, what can I do for you"
"thank you sir" mike sat down
"It about Hammersley and my shore posting sir"
"Oh"
Mike and the admiral talk for over an hour before mike walk out of his office and walk the way he came in.
Later that night when he arrived home. Kate was waiting for him in bed when he walk into the bedroom "Mike how did it go"
"good rear Admiral Baxter and I talk and he know my decision. He said he would let Maxine know his decision on new captain. I ask him to let me know as well. I've told him what Maxine said and he going to look into why was I got to stay on Hammersley for a year and not a few weeks as they said i would be"
"sounds like Knocker manage to persuaded them in having you on Hammersley for a year"
"could be Kate" Mike got out of his uniform and did his normal routine before climbing into bed giving Kate a hug and kiss
"Lets not talk about work ok" Mike said
"Sure" they kiss and made passionate love before falling asleep in each other arms.
The next day mike and Kate stay home with the kids so they could spend time together as a family. On Wednesday morning Hammersley left port to do two week patrol.
Three days later they return back to port with a boat that got drugs on it since Hammersley did a boarding when the skipper didn't answer there call. The boarding team arrested four men and found over forty kilo of drugs on board. Since it was late afternoon Hammersley would leave the next morning to carry on it patrol. Kate was in her cabin when Maxine called her into her office. So Kate got chance then she went to mike cabin where he was checking his e-mails
"mike" he turn to Kate
"Kate" he look her up and down
"Knocker called me into her office, I'm leaving now"
"Ok"
"any word from fleet command"
"close the door" Kate walk in and close the door. Mike click on to the e-mail.
Kate lean over to read what it said "So it was her that suggested that you stay on here... what the... not experience enough" Kate said in shock then she finish reading what it said then she look at Mike
"We will know by the time we return back from our patrol Kate"
"Ok, I better go" He stood up and gave her a quick kiss before she walk out of his cabin.
When Kate went to see Maxine. "Lieutenant did you know that mike gone to fleet command"
"Yes ma'am"
"did you know his contract is due to expire"
"Yes ma'am"
"did you know he threaten not to sign his contract and leave the navy cause he wanted his shore posting back"
"Yes ma'am"
"do you know why he is doing this, the navy is his life, his love"
"You will have to ask him that ma'am"
"Lieutenant I know what going on between you and Mike"
"Excuse me...ma'am. What ever you think commander Flynn and I have, we done nothing wrong"
"knowing you both I believe you. If rumor got out it would destroy mike career...and yours" Kate couldn't believe what Maxine just said
"Mike threaten not to sign his contracts if he doesn't get his posting back. Did you know that?"
"Yes I did"
"We both know that the navy is Mike life don't we Kate...better than he dose... think about that lieutenant" Kate look at Maxine still in shock
"that is all" Maxine said then Kate stood up and put the phone to her ear
"did you hear all of it"
"Who are you talking to lieutenant" Maxine said as she stood up
"Ok" then she hung up
"Who was it that was listening in to our talk lieutenant, answer me" Maxine said yelling at Kate
"you will know soon enough ma'am" then she turn to see mike walking into the ball pen and into Maxine office looking very angry
"Mike" Maxine said in shock.
He turn to Kate and look into her eyes and calm down a bit "Can you wait out side Kate"
Kate nodded then walk out and into the ball pen when Nav and bomber walk over to her
"X what going on" Nav asked when every one heard
"what the hell are you playing at Maxine" mike said yelling. Every one look at Maxine office
"Mike calm down I was thinking of your career"
"My career or my personal life"
"Mike"
"don't you mike me Maxine"
"mummy" Kate turn to see Michele walking into the ball pen with the kids, they ran over to Kate for a hug when they all heard
"Mike I know what you are like with blondes."
"that enough Maxine. I heard every thing you said to Kate. No wounder your marriage failed Maxine cause you couldn't get what you wanted"
"what is that suppose to mean"
"Hannah told me every thing now I know why you got me as Ryan and Terri god father, you were using you kids to get to me" Every one was shock
"and now you trying to get Kate to brake up with me cause you trying to black mail Kate"
"mike the navy is your life, your love it has been before you started your affair with lieutenant McGregor. I'm trying to do what best for you, I'm trying to save your career"
"My career. The only person who try to sabotage not only my career but Kate career is you"
"I'm doing what best"
"for whom for you. I know for a fact that you trying to stop Kate from getting her promotion and you trying to keep me on Hammersley. That is why I went to fleet command in the first place and I even gave them my list, not your... my list for captain of Hammersley. I put Kate name up on top. Admiral of the fleet Baxter got my list and I told him that Kate is the best dam excursive officer I have ever work and she stay the longest on Hammersley than any other lieutenant I had working under me. It not what I do or say about Kate promotion it will be her record and experiences that would give her, her promotion, not me" Mike said yelling at Maxine.
"Mummy dose that women want you to leave daddy" Emma asked. Kate crouch down
"Yes sweetie she dose but your daddy is telling her off cause of it"
"Are you going to leave daddy" Kate smile
"No sweetie, I love mike very much, you seen us hug, kiss and snuggles on the couch"
"Yes"
"so there way I'm leaving Mike cause he to dam good looking in his uniform" Emma smile and giggle then she gave Kate a hug then they all heard.
"Mike she hasn't had that much experiences"
"she had more than you ever had before you got promoted Maxine and if I want the next captain to be on Hammersley I hope it will be Kate. Look at what happen to the other captains in the past seven years."
"what if fleet command get some one else"
"If they do who ever he or she is, I hope they got the experiences and is able to put up with Kate ideas and...deep throat debates when it comes to boarding. She one person who never back down from an argument"
"Mike what about your contract"
"what about it. Fleet command knows I want my shore posting back, they know what will happen if it doesn't happen"
"your black mailing them"
"no I'm not if I did would I be standing here. You are the one who stopping me from returning back to my shore posting"
"so you willing to give up every thing you work for, for her" she pointed to Kate
"Yes I am. She means more to me than the navy. That is what love is about, willing to give up every thing for the one you love"
"Mike the navy is your love"
"Dam it Maxine Kate is my love, my life not the navy" Mike said yelling.