Chapter 2

A/N - Bit of a short chapter not 100% sure on this one, ill let you decide what you think :)

Kates P.O.V

NEXT NIGHT

So I'm lying in my cabin not quite sure what time it was I got off my shift around 2345hrs and headed straight for my bunk, most of the crew had headed out to the local pub down the docks, I got asked to go but didn't really feel like joining in the fun much, the crew mind you seem lovely as I walked up to the bridge this morning they all greeted me and introduced themselves.

I'm lying in my bunk reading my book as I hear the tumbles and mumbling from the outer decks I assume it's the crew heading in for the night, as I try to get myself back into the book in front of me I can't help but over hear the conversation outside my cabin,

"Yinno the new xo its quite a hottie doesn't you think" I assume was a drunken Buffer

"You think, I think she's quite good looking, smokin" now I'm sure that was ET

"SSssshh guys she might hear us *hiccup* "Not sure who said that I listen in further to Buffers voice

"Ah come on boss you got to admit she's hot"

"Nah not my type bit to …" a small pause is all I heard until ... "Sure shes a lesbian or something" Giggles soon followed as they headed down the hall their loudness started to fade into silence before you could hear a pin drop. That was it, my heart sunk my book fell into my lap as I burst into tears listening to my fellow crew talk about me like that especially my boss, now I know why he's been through so many XO's.

Before I get a chance to think about what I'm doing I get up and throw on my boots and jacket, shove my clothes and items back into my duffle back and head out my cabin in a flash, I head out to the docks and for a taxi back down to base, I cant bring myself round to staying and confronting Mike, realising I shouldn't be doing this I continued my journey home and left a message for Commander White to ring me back.

Mikes POV – 0645HRS

Getting out the shower to try and freshen myself up I quickly towel dry myself and get dressed to head up to the bridge for my shift, as I get up to the top of the stairs I see a Buffer and ET looking worse for wear leaning on the bench with a cup of coffee in hand, "Morning everyone"

A few moans and groans I get as reply, as I sit in my chair I ask "Has the XO risen yet"

"No sir I will go and get her now" Giggled Nav as she headed down to her bunk,

NAV'S POV

*KNOCK, KNOCK*

"Ma'am it's time for shift"

No reply so I knock again and listen, "Ma'am its NAV time to get up"

"Ma'am" I said as I open her door and peer my head in to see the cabin is empty, I race back up the stairs to the bridge "Sir she's not there"

"What do you mean she's not there?"

"Her bunks empty as if she hasn't been in all night, everything's gone"

Mike grabbed the phone and asked RO to patch through to Commander White, "Ma'am I've got an XO AWOL I repeat Lieutenant Kate McGregor is not aboard Hammersley"

"Mike calm down I know where she is, Lieutenant Commander Flynn, Petty Officer Pete Thomashefsky and Sailor Josh Holiday My office 0900hrs" And with that she hung up the phone… what we were up for next we weren't prepared for…