Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the storyline.

Chapter 3

"Aw Mate, you did the right thing and how the situation escalated from there was not your fault, Kate knows that and all she really needs now is for you to be there to help her and comfort her when she needs it" Buffer said as he saw Mike begin to cry
"Yeah I know it's just I never wanted her to go through all of this and all I really wanted to just be happy with her" Mike said before looking to see Kate coming down the stairs. Mike moved over and made space for Kate to sit down next to him, Nikki got up and walked over to Kate to give her a hug. Kate sat down next to Mike and placed her head on his chest whilst he rubbed his hand up and down her back.
"You okay?" Mike asked and Kate nodded, she obviously knew that there secret was now out in the open mind you they had only really been dating for 2 days. Sally walked out of the kitchen with a coffee in hand for Mike and one for Kate which she was going to take upstairs but then spotted Kate was on the couch with Mike.
"Here you both go" Sally said handing the coffee's over
"Thanks Sally" Kate said sitting up to take her coffee.

*3 hours later*

"Mike do you want something to eat" Kate called as she walked into the kitchen to grab something to eat.
"Um no thanks Kate but can you come sit with me I'm lonely and don't want you out of my sight" Mike whinged
"well okay just let me grab myself something to eat" Kate said but she felt hands wrap round her waist.
"You just can't be patient can you" Kate said
"I can but not when you're around" Mike said trying to pull Kate to the couch. Everyone had left about an hour ago so they were all by themselves and that was the way Mike liked it after what had happened today.
"I hope you're happy because I'm still hungry" Kate said as she sat down on the couch.
"Well I can fix that because how would you like a chocolate rose?" Mike asked
"yum" Kate exclaimed
"Kiss me first and you can have it" Mike bargained
Kate leant in and gave mike a kiss whilst her hands moved towards the chocolate rose. Mike pulled back as he felt the rose lave his hands and go towards Kate's mouth as Kate smiled in contentment.
"I love you" Kate whispered as she lay back on Mike's chest after eating the rose.
"I love you more than I have ever love anyone else" Mike replied leaning down to kiss Kate's forehead. Kate smiled she was back in the arms of the man she loved more than anything in the whole world and she would give anything to be with him forever which when it came time she was planning to do.

Mike looked down to see Kate had fallen asleep again mind you it had been a long day, he picked her up and carried her upstairs to her bedroom and placed her in the bed should I get in bed with her just to keep her safe and company, or should I go lay downstairs still in the same house, or should I get in the car and go home Mike thought before deciding in case Kate woke in the night he would just sleep on the couch downstairs. Kate woke up in the middle of the night after having a nightmare and decided she should go downstairs and get a drink to assure herself it was just a dream. She rolled over just to let Mike know she would be back but found an empty bed hmm must have gone home for tonight he'll be back in the morning Kate thought as she went back to getting a drink. Kate walked into the lounge room before going through to the kitchen, she walked back and went to sit on the couch though realised there was a body on her couch obviously didn't quite reach home before collapsing Kate thought as she went to sit at the table to finish her drink. Kate walked back into the kitchen put her glass in the sink and went to walk back upstairs when she heard the body begin to stir on her sofa.

"Hi" Kate said as she walked over to where Mike was laying.
"Hey Gorgeous" Mike said as he tilted his head up
"My bed was empty so I came down to get a drink" Kate said which made Mike smile.
" Yeah well wasn't sure if you wanted company or not" Mike answered rubbing his eyes
"Well I'd love you to come join me now" Kate said coyly as she exited the room and started to head upstairs. Mike flung off the blanket from the couch and walked off towards Kate's bedroom, he opened the door and moved towards the empty side of the bed before climbing in and snuggling up right next to Kate with his arms round her waist.

Kate woke to the sun shining in through the crack in the curtains and Mikes arms round her waist, Kate rolled over to watch Mike sleeping; she smiled as she saw him blush in his sleep what could he be dreaming about? On second thoughts I don't want to know Kate thought as she heard her phone ringing on her bedside table.

"Hello Kate McGregor"
"Kate is Marshall look I'm actually retiring so I was ringing to ask if you could assemble all your crew down at the docks for my ceremony, oh and if possible can you let Mike know because I can't seem to contact him"
"Yes sir I'll organise it and sorry to hear you leaving because I know your love of the navy"
"Yes well these times come and so it's my time to leave and Elizabeth is hounding me to retire"
"Okay sir I'll see you soon, when does this ceremony start"
"About 1000 hours"
"Okay Sir we will be there"
"Bye Kate
"Bye sir"

Kate put the phone down and got up to go start calling the crew to let them know hopefully they will be pleased with her and not angry but this was something she had to do. Right that's Buffer, RO, Nav, Spider, Swain, and ET and finally Bomber Kate thought as she put the phone down. Kate sighed and went to see if Mike had woken yet because they had to be there in about an hour and she still had to get ready. Kate peered into the room and saw Mike sleeping soundly like a baby. Kate sighed and knew she had to wake him which he would not be happy about.Kate sat down on the bed next to him thinking a way to wake him she decided to stoke her hands through his hair. She saw him begin to smile at this and open his eyes but then he peered down beneath the covers and he sighed.
"Morning" Kate said
"Morning" Mike replied
"Um you have to get up because we have to be at the docks in an hour" Kate explained whilst getting of the bed to grab her whites out of the wardrobe
"Well I kind of can't" Mike said
"What do you mean you can't?" Kate asked
"well we kind of have a problem down there" Mike said pointing below the sheets
"Ugh what am I going to explain to the boss then, Mike sends his apologies he had a enlarged problem"
"Nope but you did this" Mike said
"How did I do that it's your bodily function I had nothing to do with it" Kate said heading towards the bathroom to get dressed
"It's you as a person that sets me off because all I want is you" Mike said but Kate had already shut the door.

Mike lay in bed thinking of things which were absolutely revolting for his problem to subside. The problem had subsided by the time Kate came out of the bathroom.
"Are you planning on getting up anytime soon because we have somewhere to be in half an hour" Kate teased,
"Very funny and the thing has gone away now, so I'll meet you down stairs in 20 minutes" Mike said as he pushed Kate out the door, Kate just smiled sweetly as she left the room.

20 minutes later Mike and Kate were walking along by the docks talking when Nikki saw them close together.
"Hey Charge look over there" Nikki said pointing over to where Mike and Kate were walking too caught up in their own world to notice.
"Wow the captain and X looks a little closer than normal" Charge said as everyone was starting to turn and look at their blushing X and smiling captain.
"Yes well they are going out now after what happened a couple of days ago" Buffer pointed and saw lots of 'Oh yeah' faces coming from the crew.

"They're all looking at us" Kate noticed as she slipped her hand from his
"well let them look because I don't really care and besides it's not as if they didn't already know after what happened with Jim" Mike said trying to grab Kate's hand back.
"Yeah but we don't want the new Commander or the old one know about us unless we tell them" Kate said trying to ignore Mike.
The proceedings started after a few minutes and before anyone knew where they were the proceedings were over and everyone was just talking about love, life and work. Commander Marshall had handed over the reins of NAVCOM to Maxine White, who was otherwise known as Knocker.

Mike was talking to Maxine and Kate was talking to Commander Marshall yet Mike could not keep his eyes off Kate. She looked as beautiful as ever, he really wanted to go home because he wanted to be able to hug her and everything which is all he wanted. Kate looked up to the eyes of Marshall and saw he was crying.
"Why are you crying sir?" Kate asked as she handed him a tissue
"Kate I'm crying because now I'm giving this up I won't be able to see you again and you are like a daughter to me" Marshall said which made Kate's eyes water and she hugged him tight
"Oh Steve you'll still be able to see me because I can come around every time I'm on shore and spend time with you as you are after all like a father to me" Kate said
"That would be nice every once in a while, I will miss seeing you when you come into my office but we can still catch up for coffee. Right now though I have to go see someone but I will see you later" Marshall said before hugging Kate one last time and then Marshall walked away. Kate wiped her eyes and walked to get herself a drink.

Mike walked up behind Kate and lightly pretended to zap her, Kate turned around and smiled though mike could easily tell Kate had been crying which made him want to hug her but he knew he couldn't.
"Hey what's the matter" Mike asked
"Oh nothing, I'm just... it's nothing" Kate replied.
"Kate, something is up and I need to know what it is to help you fix it" Mike replied
"I'm just said to say goodbye to Marshall as he is a father like me and so it's sad" Kate replied, quickly wiping her tears away from her eyes.
"Oh Kate, it's moments like these I wish I wasn't in the Navy because right now I just want to hug you" Mike complained
"well you can't and trust me it's just as hard for me as it is for you" Kate said but then realised Commander White was coming over to Mike but giving Kate a death glare.
"Right well I am going to go and say bye to the crew and well I'll see you later... Sir" Kate obeyed the look Commander White was giving her bye quickly dismissing her. Mike saw the expression on Kate's face and knew who was coming up behind him though there was nothing more he wanted then to go after her and home to keep her company but no he had to finish off here.

"How are you Mike?" Maxine asked as she walked up to Mike
"Yeah I'm okay actually just about to head home" Mike replied still watching Kate retreating figure
"Well I was thinking maybe we could go for a drink to celebrate my promotion" Maxine offered
"Um that's good but I actually have plans but maybe another night" Mike said before walking away to head towards Kate's house after seeing how upset she was today, Maxine just growled after seeing mike leave looks like she's drinking on her own tonight.

Does Maxine feel love for Mike?
Guess you will have to wait for the next chapter to find out. It should be up early next week, Merry Christmas and please review.