CH 63

MacGyver notices it and walks over to her. "Something puzzling you Bird?"

"Yeah, what you said about the captain and the X."

"They are married as you can see with their last name being the same. The captain got a shore posting and X is posted here. However, the captain does fill in as a temporary captain for a patrol or two if another lieutenant commander can't be found."

"Ok..."

"Look, if you're not sure about something, don't hesitate to ask."

"Ok. It's all new to me."

"Just pay attention and you'll catch on."

"OK"

Over the next five weeks, the Hammersley was busy with mayday calls and dealing with FFVs. Bird would ask questions when she was unsure of some things. When they returned to Cairns the crew looked forward to having a week off. It turned out to be good timing since Valentine's Day is in three days.

When June arrived home she did what she would normally do when she returned from patrol. Jim arrived home and they hugged and kissed, happy to see each other. They had dinner at home and then went to the pub for drinks with the crazy crew.

"Jim, how are things with the SAS?" Mike asked.

"It's been busy. Got back two days ago from a mission."

"Ok"

"June told me what Two Dads did to Bird and the trouble he got into."

"Well, she is new and willing to learn," Kate said.

"June said the same thing."

They enjoyed their evening with the crew then left for home where they made love that night. Two days later it was valentine day. Jim surprised June with different things all day.

The day Hammersley was leaving for their next patrol the crew learned that Commander Marshal was being transferred and they didn't yet know who the new commanding officer was going to be.

Jim drove to the Navy base's security checkpoint when he and June saw Kate walking towards Hammersley.

"Jim, would you mind stopping here? I want to talk to Kate alone."

"Sure. Are you ok?"

"Yes," and she leaned over and kissed him. "I'm fine. I want to talk to her about how to help Bird out since she is learning and trying to find out what she wants to do in the Navy."

"That's a good idea. See you in three weeks."

"Sure will." They kiss passionately, then they break the kiss.

"I love you," she said.

"I love you, be safe out there."

"I always am." They kissed once more before she got out and grabbed her seabag. "See you when I return."

"I'll be counting the days," he said smiling.

She walked over to the security gate, showing the guard on duty her ID before he let her through. She waved at Jim and blew a kiss to him and he blew one back. She turned and ran to catch up with Kate.

"Kate!" she called out.

Kate stopped, turned and she saw June running up to her.

"Hey! How was your shore leave?" June asked as they walked towards Hammersley.

"It was great. You?"

"It was great, I had just one duty shift."

"So Valentine's day, what happened?" she asked smiling making Kate laugh. "Only if you tell me yours."

"Ok, so... breakfast what happened?"

"We were enjoying the sleep in when NAVCOM called in Mike and he had to go in straight away. So he told me to stay in bed until he returns."

"Ok, then what happened?"

"Well stayed in bed and when he got back, took his clothes off, and then said he would be back. He walked out of our bedroom and then returned with a tray in hand. I had to sit up and he put the tray on my lap, then got the big pillows and put them behind me."

"Late breakfast."

" It was just after nine-thirty when he had returned from NAVCOM."

"Ok... so the tray?"

"There were twenty-four hearts that looked like flowers. There were the chocolates, two glasses of orange juice and a large plate with heart-shaped waffles and pancakes covered in whip cream, maple syrup, blueberries, and sliced strawberries."

"Wow! Valentine's breakfast in bed. Did he join you in bed?"

"Yes, he did. He cut the pancakes and waffles and fed me and I let him and even fed him strawberries and cream."

"Oh! Sounds sexy."

Kate laughed, "Yeah and the chocolates were milk chocolate, my favourite."

"That's good to know."

"While having breakfast Mike told me Steve was being transferred to Canberra tomorrow and we would be getting a new CO but don't know who it is."

"Commander Marshall's leaving?"

"Yes, I was shocked."

"I bet. So what happened after breakfast?"

Kate smiled, "Just like with the drink... sex with the captain."

They laughed, "that's funny."

"Ok, what about you?"

"Jim is always full of surprises. It started off with us making love. Then he said he would be back and for me to stay in bed. So I did. I could hear him downstairs so I couldn't help but wonder what was going on plus someone was knocking at our door. But I stayed where I was. I could smell something cooking."

"Jim cooks?"

"Sure. When he walked into our room I had to laugh. Jim was wearing his robe, holding a tray that had two glasses of grape juice and a bottle. He had a rose in his mouth and in both hands are ribbons holding on to helium balloons. On them was I love my wife, I love you June, be my sexy valentine and the one which brought tears to my eyes said June Roth I loved you the first day we met, I loved you yesterday, I love you today, I'll love you tomorrow and I will always love you forever, your loving husband Jim Roth with a number of Xs."

"Oh my, that is amazing."

"I know. When I read out loud what was on the balloon that brought tears to my eyes."

"That would do it for anyone."

"So true."

"What else was on the tray?"

" A plate of large pancakes wrapped up. He placed the tray onto my lap and I removed the rose from his mouth and kissed him. He got back into bed and I told him that this is the best Valentines gift ever."

"I bet it was. So what was in the pancakes?"

"One had bacon strips and maple syrup and the other whip cream and blueberry sauce. He cut it up and we fed each other then afterwards I got up and got his Valentine gift."

"What did you get him?"

"A night at the Kewarra Beach Resort up in Palm Cove for the night."

"Did he like the gift?"

"He loved it. Okay, your turn again. So lunch, what happened?"

''We went into town to do some shopping and then went to a cafe. How about you?"

"We had lunch in Palm Cove in our hotel room, we had champagne and seafood platter."

"That sounds good."

"Oh, it was all right. So now what happened in the afternoon and evening?"

"He took me out for a candlelit dinner at the marina."

"How romantic."

"It was. Then we returned home to end our amazing day in bed making love."

"Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Oh.. did Mike buy you anything while on shore leave since he's back on Hammersley?"

"He did, milk not dark."

June laughed. "Good for you."

"What about you and Jim?"

"Ahh, we went for a walk along the beach and then went back and had drinks and a romantic dinner with dancing. We returned to our rooms for a night of passion. Then returned to Cairns the next day."

"Sounds like you and Jim had a wonderful time."

" We did. We are both very lucky women who are married to men who love and respect us, unlike some men today who use and abuse them."

"That is true."

When they reached Hammersley they said good morning to those that they saw on board then they went to their cabins to sort out their bags and report to their duty stations.

Shortly Hammersley left port and headed out to sea.

"Swain what did you get Sally for valentine day?" MacGyver asked.

He smiled, "a dozen red roses, breakfast in bed, took her out to dinner and dancing, while our neighbour looked after Chloe."

"How romantic," Kate remarked.

"Yeah it was," he said smiling.

"What about you X, MacGyver?" Two Dads asked.

"Breakfast in bed, lunch at a cafe and a candlelit dinner," Kate answered.

"What! No roses?" Charge said, shocked.

"Chocolate heart roses, it's the thought that counts. Besides I get to eat them," Kate grinning.

"Agree," MacGyver said.

"what about you, MacGyver?" Mike asked.

"Breakfast in bed with a single red artificial rose, helium valentine balloons, lunch and dinner at a hotel and stayed the night."

"How many balloons?" Swain asked.

"Four different ones."

"Wow, lucky you."

The conversation then moved to other things like they always do.

When their patrol was almost over they were tasked to be extra security for HMAS Newcastle as a number of sailors were getting metals. Swain, Bird, Two Dads and MacGyver were on the side deck watching the proceedings and commenting on what the recipients did to earn their medals.

"Why is the American Ambassador handing out some of the medals?" Bird asked.

"The Americans are grateful for the support Australia provided in the gulf," Swain answered her.

"Swain, the Yanks give out medals like they were chubby chomps."

"Sounds like you're jealous, Two Dads," MacGyver said.

"I don't need some tin ass to tell me how great I am."

"You do a pretty good job by yourself," Swain said, making MacGyver and Bird laugh.