Disclaimer: I own nothing.
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When Lieutenant Kate McGregor and Lieutenant Commander Mike Flynn next entered NAVCOM, it was a mere ten hours since they'd last left it.
HMAS Hammersley had met up with two other patrol boats, a frigate and a number of civilian vessels to help rescue the passengers onboard the sinking Queen Ardent. They'd discovered the Atlantis crewless – a mystery that had yet to be solved.
Docking back in Cairns, HMAS Hammersley was the last ship back in port. As they saw the last of their passengers off the ship, Kate and Mike made their way to NAVCOM. Their crew was refusing to leave the ship until they were guaranteed shore leave. If the Hammersley was expected to head back out, Mike had been advised that they would not disembark.
They are ushered straight into Commander Steve Marshall's office as the man himself raises his eyes up from the papers in front of him to take in his two tired sailors. 'Flynn. McGregor,' he said as a means of greeting and gestures for them to sit. 'Good job out their today.'
'It was a good team effort sir,' said Mike as he sat down. 'Minimal casualties and everyone off the boat and at a safe distance before the Queen Ardent sank.'
'Mmmhmm,' said the commander. 'Anything else?'
'Sir,' Mike said respectfully. 'My crew have been working non-stop for the past 36 hours and are due for some shore leave. Permission for 24 hours shore leave?'
'Granted,' said Commander Marshall with a nod. 'You'll report back on Friday at 0800 hours. You'll be escorting the ship Lady Bethany to Tomlasin Bay.'
'Understood. Thank you sir.' When Mike stands, but Kate makes no move to leave, Commander Marshall probed. 'Anything else?'
'Actually sir, I have something I need to advise you of,' said Kate, a degree of nervousness present in her voice. Mike's head whipped around to her as she struggled to find the words.
'Well spit it out,' said Marshall impatiently.
'I'm pregnant.' Both Mike and Kate look at their superior's face as he takes the news. Commander Marshall's face was blank as he processed what he'd just heard, before he heaved a giant sigh. 'Great.'
Kate's face fell at this response, as Commander Marshall quickly righted himself. 'I mean congratulations – but I'm down another good sailor. The Navy is seriously short on staff here,' groaned Marshall. 'Are you requesting shore leave as of now?'
Before Kate can respond, Mike interjects. 'If I could offer another option, sir?' When Marshall nodded, granting his permission to speak, Mike continued. 'Allow Lieutenant McGregor to remain on board the Hammersley on restricted duties until a replacement can be found.'
Seeing potential in the suggestion, Marshall muses aloud about it. 'The HMAS Islington is back in port next month and there's a promising officer on board that could take on the XO position capably. I think he'd fit into your crew well...'
Leaning forward, Commander Marshall laced his fingers together as he faced the fine officer in front of him. 'Kate, you've got a choice here. You can remain on board on restricted duties for the next five weeks, and then do the handover to the new XO, or request shore leave now, and Mike, you'll be sailing without an XO until I find you a temporary replacement.'
'Commander Marshall, sir. I will remain on board the Hammersley on restricted duties until the new XO arrives,' said Kate formally, a little shocked at her good fortune.
'You'll be given a shore posting after that,' clarified Marshall.
'Understood, sir.'
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Walking down the dock to the HMAS Hammersley, Kate and Mike salute as they pass a fellow sailor, before drawing closer to the ship. Neither is speaking, until Kate releases a breath. 'Whoo. That went better than I expected.'
Mike offers no response as he squeezes her elbow and allows her to board the Hammersley first.
As the Hammersley crew gather forward, expectant looks on their faces, Mike grins as he faces his crew. 'Good news!' he declared. 'We're on stand down until Friday morning, 0800 hours.'
When the HMAS Hammersley crew discovered that they would be on shore leave until Friday morning – that meant a full day of shore leave! whispered someone – an impromptu cheer arose amongst them.
'You will report back for duty then. Dismissed!'
This was normally a cause for celebration and an occasion for the team to head to the bar, but having been confined in close quarters with people for the better half of the past 24 hours, and combined with tiredness from being constantly on the go, every sailor was heading home to their own bed, Mike and Kate included.
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Slowly awakening the following morning, Kate McGregor revels in life. It was 6:27am in the morning, but she didn't mind the early hour, relishing nine hours of uninterrupted sleep. Enjoying the luxury of her own bed, she wrapped the sheets tighter around her form and rolled onto her side to think.
She was pregnant and the doctor had said that everything was fine with the baby.
She would be remain on the Hammersley for a little while longer, before she received her shore posting.
And best of all, that horrible sickness she'd encountered that morning on the ship three weeks ago hadn't returned.
Rolling onto her back, she realised that she had spoken too soon. Throwing back her sheets, she made a dash for the bathroom to upend the contents of her stomach...
... and that was how Mike Flynn found her when he arrived half an hour later.