Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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'Do you hear there, ladies and no gentleman? Here I find you on this fine October day as we mosey our way across the flittering oceans of possibilities...'

All crew members pause a moment as they turn their heads to the PA system where 2 Dads' voice is wafting out at 0700 hours in the morning. '... Nothing to do but sit back and enjoy those little sunny rays that have made their way out to us on this floating paradise...'

Swain is grinning as he listens to 2 Dads turning commentator behind him on the bridge. He has control of the ship as he sits at the helm, HMAS Hammersley patrolling the waters with no clear destination in mind. Spider is laughing out loud as 2 Dads suddenly turns poetic, glad that at least his watch this morning wasn't going to be too boring.

Bomber's in the galley as RO holds out his plate for breakfast. She has a grin on her face as she loads up RO's plate and laughs at the radio officer's disgruntlement. RO glares up at the speaker and promises that when he arrives up on the bridge, 2 Dads was going to be summarily booted out of it, and god forbid if he's sitting in his chair again.

Nav rolls onto her side on her top bunk, laughing at 2 Dads' bad singing as Kate leaves the bathroom at 0715, just like she has every other morning for the past two weeks. 'You're getting to be like clockwork!' laughs Nav, as Kate wipes her face. 'I'm all for giving up the morning watch to deal with this wretched morning sickness, but I got to say 2 Dads' singing is providing for a slightly less pleasurable experience this morning!'

Mike was in his office in his sweatshirt and coveralls rolled at the waist, feet propped up on his desk with Homer's Odyssey in his hands as 2 Dads' voice spread below decks. He smiled at 2 Dads' creativity, but his main focus was on the picture he held in his hands. It was a grainy black and white image, but as he ran his fingers over it, Mike feels a sense of pride and a rush of love. This was his child.

Charge is listening to the drivel coming out of the speakers and shakes his head good-naturedly, rolling his eyes as he goes about cleaning and polishing his tools on deck in the weak October sun. Buffer too is rolling his eyes as he heads for his CO's office.

With the team only patrolling the waters, now was a good time to go speak with his boss about something that was weighing heavily on his mind. After the Iluka incident – and especially after the Tomlasin Bay operation – Buffer had noticed that Kate's role as the executive officer on the ship was being seriously undermined. The CO was going on more boarding parties than ever before, and he himself had had the lead a fair few times. Unable to find an opportunity to speak with the XO about this strange situation, he's decided to head straight for the top. They were both too stubborn minded for their own good, and so he was going in to bat for Kate.

Knocking on his CO's office, Buffer enters at his consent. Stepping into the room, he shuts the door as his boss places a book on the shelf. 'What can I do for you Buffer?'

Mike had been expecting that Buffer could be here for any number of things, but he had not been expecting for Buffer to suddenly accuse him of being a shocking leader in not allowing Lieutenant McGregor to lead boarding parties and argues that his egocentric tendencies are getting in the way of their XO doing her job. He listens patiently as Buffer rails, unable to get a word in edgewise until finally a knock on the door halts Buffer's arguing. 'Enter.'

When Kate McGregor stepped into the office and closed the door behind her, she found the two men looking intently at her. Buffer stood breathing heavily in his position behind the door as she turned to the left where Mike was seated with his arms crossed over his chest, an amused expression on his face. Raising an eyebrow in question, she hands Mike the folder she had brought with her. 'Sir, my report on our latest operation.'

'Thanks X,' said Mike as he stood up and took the folder from her hands. Turning to leave, Kate looks at Buffer. 'Are you okay?'

'Actually,' said Buffer. 'I've got a question to ask about what's been happening lately...'

Knowing what Buffer is going to ask, Mike stops him. 'It's the X's business - not yours,' said Mike taking a step forward as Buffer turns an angry glare on him. Having figured out what these two men were 'discussing', Kate steps between them and turns to her boss. 'Sir, you can tell him.'

'Tell me what?' seethed Buffer, crossing his arms over his chest.

'The XO is pregnant and on restricted duty,' said Mike factually. 'That is why I have been leading the boarding parties. And that is why my 'egocentric tendencies' have been out to play.'

'Oh,' is all Buffer can offer, suddenly feeling very foolish as he uncrossed his arms and let them fall to his side. All that arguing and yelling - at his boss no less - could have been prevented by a simple question. 'I apologise...' he started as Mike waved off his apology.

'I trust that I can count on your discretion?' asks Kate, as Mike sits down once again and she looks at Buffer. 'Yes ma'am,' said Buffer respectfully. 'And if I may ask, when will you be leaving...'

'I'll be on a shore posting next month,' said Kate, one hand on her hip as the other rests on her still flat stomach. 'But, until then, I've just got to be careful.'

'Understood. I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of both of you. You can count on me,' promises Buffer. 'Congratulations ma'am,' he says with a nod in her direction, preparing to leave as Kate gives him a smile of thanks. Hand on the door handle, he turns to face his CO. 'And sir?'

'Yes Buffer?' said Mike, looking up from his desk.

'Congratulations to you too.' Leaving behind his gobsmacked superiors, Buffer left the office. 'Now if you will excuse me, I need to go organise some drills for some particular sailors.'

Kate and Mike grin when a change can be heard in 2 Dads' commentary soon after. 'But what is this I see? The tranquillity of our morning is about to be shattered! Will the presence of Mr Peter Tomaszewski on the bridge spoil our peace? Only time will teeeeelllll....'

The next thing heard above and below deck is an order. 'Do you hear there? Buffer speaking. All officers not on watch are to muster on the deck for drills...'