Ok here is the third and final part! I hope you've enjoyed this little three part story. Anyway without further ado...

Part 3

A few years later...

Kate was walking along the coast. It was mid morning so the sun was really bright so Kate had some sunnies on her face. She was in blue board shorts and wore a red billabong tee. Her hair was tied up in two pigtail plaits and she wore a bucket hat on her head. She had her thongs in her right hand and she strolled casually along the beach without a care in the world.

Today her team had docked at port and the rest of the day was their own. So Kate decided to enjoy it by walking along the beach.

Things had changed a lot since Kate had left Hammersley. She was now a Lieutenant Commander and she enjoyed it. She had started dating though none of them had ever been serious but Kate's heart was starting to heal at last.

Kate walked down and around the corner and bumped into a group of men and women playing beach cricket.

"Lieutenant McGregor??" Kate looked towards the source of the voice.

A younger woman came over to her. It was Nikki Caetano.

Kate's eyes widened in surprise. "Nikki Oh my gosh what a surprise!! I wasn't expecting to see you."

Nikki threw her arms around Kate and gave her a big hug in which Kate returned with equal measure. While Kate and Nikki were hugging the rest of the group had stopped the game to watch the two women. Kate pulled away first. (they kept in touch via email)

"It's soo good to see you. How have you been?"

"Oh so-so. The CO is still unbearable but you know how it is." Nikki replied with a huge smile on her face.

The rest of the group moved in. There were choruses of "Ma'am" "How are you doing?" "Great to see you."

Kate looked around and saw the crew of Hammersley. "Talk about a welcoming commitee." Laughed Kate.

Buffer came up to her and shook her hand. "Lieutenant McGregor it's a pleasure for you to grace us with your company." He put on a posh accent which he failed miserably while the rest of the group laughed thier heads off at his bad acting.

Kate laughed and smiled then said with her old Engilsh accent, "Well thankyou very much good sir but actually it's Lieutenant Commander McGregor but you can call me Ma'am for short."

Everyone burst out laughing. Nikki laughed and turned to Kate, "If I didn't know any better I would have said you were a pom."

Kate laughed and said nothing.

"LUNCH GUYS. COME AND GET IT!"

"Woohoo!" Spider yelled as he ran to get some food. The rest of the crew followed except for Nikki.

Kate turned to Nikki and said, "Well I'd better get going. Anyway it's great seeing you maybe we'll catch up while I'm here."

"Yeah definitely but you should stay. We can grill I mean, ask you what you've been up to."

Kate just laughed.

"Please?" Nikki put on her best puppy dog look. "Pwease? Pwetty pwease?"

"Oh alright. I haven't got anything else planned for today anyway."

"Great!" Nikki linked arms with Kate and practically dragged her to the food. As they were walking Kate looked around. She was trying to look for a specific face but then she mentally slapped herself. Don't go there she thought.

As they got to the food, Nikki grabbed two plates and handed Kate one.

She still had her arm linked to Kate so Kate couldn't go anywhere but where Nikki led her.

Nikki piled the food on top of both of their plates while Kate greeted the rest of the crew.

"Let's go find a spot to sit and chow down this food."

Kate just followed.

A few minutes later they were both seated and eating and in the middle of conversation. Kate was determind not to think of Hammersley's CO but that all went out the window when he came jogging along the beach with his boardies on. Kate had to advert her eyes away from him as he made his way to the crew. Damn he still looks good she thought.

"Boss!! Finally now we can completely annihalate the XO (Nav)!! She won't get out Sir." said whined Cheffo (remember it's a girl).

Mike turned to find his XO (Nav) so he could talk to her. He found her talking to a blond headed woman. She looks so much like Kate he thought. He had to get that out of his head. Every blond woman he met he immediately thought of Kate, ever since she had left in fact. She's not coming back he thought.

He made his way over to his XO when the blond turned her head. She was laughing and that was when he realised it was Kate. He froze. He was unsure what to do. Should he go over there or not. In the end the decision was made for him.

"Sir! Guess who I found? Lieutenant Commander McGregor." Nikki just laughed.

Kate turned to look at him and smiled. "Hey. I hope you don't mind me crashing but Nikki, I mean your XO here practically dragged me over here."

Mike slowly walked over to her. She seemed so different from when he last had talked to her. More carefree or something like that.

"Hey Boss come take a seat and help me grill I mean, get the goss on what's been going on." Nikki said smiling.

Mike hesistated. Then he walked forward and took a seat next to Kate.

Just as Nikki was about to say something her phone went off.

"Sorry Kate I have to take this. It's Josh. Sorry." Nikki got up and walked away. "Hello..."

There was silence after that. It was awkward and neither were willing to be the first to break it.

Kate cleared her throat and turned to look at him. "Your looking well."

"Thanks so are you, less stressed."

Kate laughed. "Yeah, less stress but see me tomorrow and I'll be a completely different person. My crew think I'm an ice queen. It was so funny when I came to the pub with them the first time. I think their jaws dropped a good foot and a half. I'll never forget that." Kate laughed hard at that memory.

Mike just watched her and smiled as he thought about it. "I can imagine."

"Yeah." Kate fell silent. "Um, so how have things been? How are you Mike? It's been a long time."

"Ah yeah, it's been good. Been busy, you know with more illegal fishing and all that um, other stuff. I'm going ok. How have you been Kate?"

"Yeah not bad busy like you but trying to keep the motely crew in line but that's no biggie. They're actually really good." Kate's voice dropped. "I miss Hammersley though."

Mike just about missed the last comment but he had strained his ears and hadn't.

"Really?" There was surprise evident in his voice.

Kate looked up, "Yeah I do. It was great less stress for one thing but Hammersley have a great bunch of people on her and yeah..." Kate's voice trailed off.

Mike sat there for a moment before plucking up his courage to ask her the question that had been plaguing him since he had sat down.

"Um, so, um is there a "Mr" in your live?" Mr he thought what a way to ask. He mentally shook his head.

Kate sat and thought about it before answering. "There have been a few people but none at the moment. You?"

No one else he thought but didn't say. "No one at the moment." He smiled.

"How long are you here for?"

"Just for the week. We have to reload if you get what I mean." Kate grinned.

"We should catch up while your here." Mike blurted out. Crap he thought. I'm up shit creek without a paddle.

Kate just smiled, "I'd like that." she said softly. Her watch beeped and she looked down.

"I gotta go. I'm staying at the hotel on Wall Street. Let me know when you want to catch up." With a quick smile Kate was up and jogging away.

Mike let out a breath that he hadn't realised he had been holding and breathed in the sweet air of the sea. He had a huge smile on his face as he got to his feet.

"Alright guys and girls let get this game underway."

3 Days Later

Mike stood out the hotel passing nervously. Tonight was the night. He had spoken to Kate yesterday and they had organised to catch up tonight. Man was he nervous. He didn't want to stuff it up.

Kate walked out of the hotel. She had a a flowing black skirt that reached her knees. She was wearing a ocean blue halter neck top and her hair was done up in ringlets. She smiled as she got closer.

"I gathered it would be better for me to come out her otherwise an hour later I think I'dl still be waiting." Her eyes twinkled.

"I, ah, I" was all Mike could get out.

Kate stopped in front of him and smiled. "Relax Mike. I'm not going to bite. I promise. Tell you what, how about you tell me what you got up to today?"

"Ah sure. Well Commander Marshall..." With Mike's mind firmly on work he was able to relax a little.

Kate just smiled as she let out a breath of nervousness. So far so good she thought. She slipped her arm through his and he led the way to the restaurant that he'd booked earlier.

As soon as they were seated Mike clammed up when he really noticed how beautiful his date was.

Kate just looked down. She remembered the times he had looked at her liked that. It would send shivers down her spine. Kate looked back into his face and smiled.

"Ah Mike I have a confession to make."

Mike just looked at her in amusement.

"I was really looking forward to this."

"Really? Why?"

"Because I haven't seen you in a long time and I thought it would be really nice to just catch up and I'm glad you suggested it." Kate lied. What she had really wanted to say was that she had just wanted to spend sometime with him before they both parted ways. It would be sad when they would but Kate pushed that thought out of her mind.

"Wow I know what you mean. I've been looking forwards to this as well."
Kate's stomach grumbled. Mike laughed. "I think that's the sign for us to order."

"You think?" Kate smiled as Mike chuckled.

They sat and enjoyed the conversation and food. They had just finished their dessert when a song floated through the air.

Kate and Mike both froze. Then Kate turned and smiled at Mike. "Do you remember this song?"

"Yeah I do. It was the first song you and I danced to. Would, would you like to dance?" Mike asked nervously.

"You're the only person I'd dance to this song with."

Mike got up and went to Kate and offered his hand. Kate reached up and took it. Mike gently pulled her out of her seat and led her to the dance floor. Once there he gently put one of her hands on his shoulder and the other was held in his hand. While his hand went round her wait and they began sway together.

Every night in my dreams I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on.
Far across the distance and spaces between us
You have come to show you go on.

Their eyes locked as the words washed over them. Bringing memories of happier times.

Near, far wherever you are.
I believe that the heart does go on.
Once more you opened the door
And your here in my hear.
And my hear will go on.

Love can touch us one time and last for a lifetime,
And never let go till we're gone.
Love was when I loved you. One true time I hold to
In my life we'll always go on.

Kate smiled into Mike's eyes as she was held safely in his arms. Kate pulled her hand out of his and wrapped it round his neck. Mike put his free hand round her wait so he that could hold her more securely.

Near, far wherever you are.
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more, you opened the door
And you're here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on.

You're here, there's nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on.
We'll stay forever this way.
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on.

They had moved closer together without noticing. They were in their own little world. No one else existed which was good in both their cases because both crews were watching their senior officers dancing intimately together.

"They look so perfect together." Nikki whispered.

This was followed by a round of agreement.

The song had finished yet they hadn't let go of each other. The next song that came on was a boppy song which shook both of them out of their trance. Both taking a hasty step backwards and both blushing profusely.
Mike quickly lead Kate to the front so that they could pay for their bill and get out of there. They paid and walked out into the night.

Mike led Kate back to the hotel. They got to the front door. Kate looked down at the ground then she looked up into his face bravely, "Mike we need to talk."

Mike just nodded and followed Kate silently up to her room.

Kate unlocked the door and Mike walked in. He got a shock and a half when he entered. Clothes were everywhere.

"Oh sorry about the mess. I ah, had trouble deciding what to wear." Kate had a sheepish look on her face.

Mike laughed nervously.

"Hang on." Kate scooped up the clothes quickly and put them in a pile to one side. "Take a seat."

Mike sat and Kate followed suit.

"So. what did you want to talk about?"
Kate just stared at him. She took a deep breath. "Mike I need to know what is going on between us. One minute, your my ex- boss the next your my ex. What I'm trying to say is do you care for me?"

Mike's mind was working a hundred miles an hour. He decided to go with honestly. He had nothing to loose. Well, other than Kate but he'd never really had her in the first place anyway.

"Yeah, I do. When you left I realised how much I missed you. Sure I dated other people but they weren't the same. They. Weren't. You."

Kate had a big smile on her face. "I still feel the same Mike. So what are we going to do about it?"

"I'll leave the Navy."

"What?!?! We don't have to do anything drastic like that."

"Kate." Mike put his hands on either side of her face. "If we want this to work one of us is going to have to give up their career otherwise we will never see each other."

"Then let me be the one to throw it in." She put a hand on his lips.

"Hammersley is like a family and they need you and well I'm ready to. I love the navy but I love you more and I will do what it takes to make it work. Even if it means becoming a goat farmer ( sorry couldn't resist) or a shop manager or something like that. Please Mike don't give up Hammersley." Kate's eyes were begging his.

Mike just smiled. "Your beautiful and if this is really what you want then I'll stand by you."

Kate smiled, "This is really what I want. Besides I think this is where I'm meant to be and nowhere else."

Mike leaned in and captured Kate's lips with his own.

The End.

From the Titanic soundtrack- My Heart Will Go On by James Horner and Will Jennings

Thanks for reading this, if you have time could you please leave a review as it will help me with future stories. Anyway thanks. I hope you weren't disappointed with the ending. Anyway thanks,

Fantasy