Disclaimer: I own nothing.

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With the HMAS Hammersley out for repairs following the Jezra incident, all junior sailors were expected to report for a sexual harassment seminar as part of their 'ongoing' training.

Lieutenant Commander Mike Flynn stood on the deck in his coveralls, arms folded over his chest as he monitored the repairs currently underway on board his ship. His junior sailors passed him by in their whites enroute to their seminar, and after he raised his hand in salute, he kept his eyes on them for a little longer as they walked down the dock, laughing and talking.

Turning his eyes back to the boat, Mike noticed that another sailor in their whites was now standing in front of him. Sharing a wry grin with Lieutenant Kate McGregor, Mike jerks his head in the direction of the recently departed sailors. 'Why do I get the feeling that they're going to come back worse than how we're sending them?'

Kate grinned in response. 'Our people are nothing if not resourceful and open to, ah, new ideas,' Kate agreed. Both stand side by side looking up at the Hammersley before Kate checks her watch. 'Well, I'm off sir.'

'X?' queried Mike as she left his side and stood in front of him.

'I've got a meeting with Commander Marshall,' Kate explained looking up into Mike's face. His facial expression said it all: Oh.

'I'll be here when you're done,' he said with an unspoken invitation as Kate saluted and left the deck.

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Kate McGregor was nervous. It wasn't a position that she was normally in – nor was it one that she particularly liked to be in much either – but it seemed that a constant state of nervousness was the norm ever since she'd discovered she was pregnant. But she had to admit, this meeting gave rise to the biggest bout of nervousness yet. Where was Commander Marshall going to post her? Her baby's father was in Cairns.

And that lead to a whole other can of worms. Was fraternisation going to be an issue here? Was she going to have to reveal that fact that she slept with her boss in order to ensure that she could stay near him? Truthfully, it wasn't like it could be hidden for much longer – particularly when their child was born in six months time: Mike Flynn's name was going to be on the birth certificate. Plus, Mike was going to be requesting leave come the baby's due date in May.

Kate rubbed her slight swell ruefully. She'd been spoilt these past five weeks. Being on board the Hammersley and continuing to serve had allowed her to conveniently push aside – to 'forget' – that there was a lot more at stake here and a lot of things to think about and worry about for the future. She was going to be leaving the Hammersley very soon – whether she liked it or not.

Kate was ushered straight into Commander Marshall's office upon her arrival at NAVCOM and released a breath she didn't realise she was holding as she sat down. She knew that the nausea she was feeling at the moment had nothing to do with her pregnancy and everything to do with her nerves.

'How are we?' said Commander Marshall as a means of greetings.

'Good thanks,' she responded. No point in dragging this out. 'I understand that this meeting is to discuss my shore posting.'

'Right to the point eh?' chuckled the man in front of her as he looked down and shuffled the papers in front of him. 'I've got two good postings here – one for Geelong and one for Sydney...'

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As Mike cuts up the vegetables for the salad later that evening, Kate snatches a piece of red capsicum and leans back against the kitchen bench. The only conversation they'd had on the way to his apartment (via the shops) had involved the weather, Hammersley's repairs and other meaningless conversation fillers. Biting into the crisp and fresh capsicum, Kate said nothing.

It's only after they've finished dinner and are sitting on Mike's small balcony that Mike finally brings it up. 'So... how was the meeting?'

Kate can read the unanswered question. So... when are you leaving the ship? 'Lieutenant Jamison Manger will be joining the Hammersley crew on Monday.'

She'd been expecting relief, but the huge sigh and 'Oh thank God!' was a little more than she had anticipated. She raised her eyebrow in his direction as Mike quickly fumbled and tried to correct himself. 'It's not that you're not a good officer – you're a bloody good one. But I'm not sure how much longer I could have handled you on the ship. I can't focus with you there.'

'Nice save,' said Kate with a grin as she leaned back against her chair and watched as Mike set his own drink down and leaned forward on his elbows, a serious look on his face. 'Kate...' he sighed. 'When the Jezra shot at us... I know I've said it before, but I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to your or out kid.'

Still not used to the fact that she and Mike are very much moving into a future that is very much real and doesn't involve the Hammersley, all Kate can do is take a sip of her drink and nod her head. She's glad when Mike turns jovial once again. 'And frankly, you're a distraction on board.'

Comfortable once again, she playfully reached over and hit his shoulder in objection. Mike grabs her hand and prevents her from having it back as he pulls her out of her chair and into his lap. Kate found herself seated sideways on Mike, and finding it the most natural thing to do, she wraps her arms around his neck as she his hands slip under her shirt and come to rest on her hips. 'So, tell me about this shore posting.'

'I was offered a Melbourne or Sydney post...' Kate responded and she felt his hands instantly grip her hips tightly. Taking in the look on his face, she could see that the possibility of an out-of-state posting had never occurred to him. '... but I turned it down...' ('Oh thank God,' was Mike's whispered response as she felt herself being pulled closer to him.) '... and so I've been appointed to the Disciplinary Committee here in Cairns,' she finished.

She could see that the news of her shore posting had rattled him. 'You'll be happy with that,' he said slowly. 'Plenty of orders, regulations and control – just what you love.' She flashed him a dirty look as his face grew serious. 'But seriously Kate, it's a good career move. A desk job will send you up the ladder.'

'Mm-hmm,' said Kate, avoiding his eyes as she played with his shirt collar. Mike looked a little rattled, and so she decided to keep the conversation that she and Commander Marshall had had about the father of her child to herself for a little while longer. Bringing her eyes back to Mike's, she elaborated further. 'Lieutenant Manger joins us on Monday. I'll be on board to show him the ropes, and then after that patrol, he'll be your new Executive Officer.' She took a deep breath. 'My shore posting starts the Monday after that that.'

Mike gently squeezes her hip. 'You're going to be missed.'

Feeling tears coming on, but determined that she was not going to cry, Kate sniffles. 'Come here,' she said as she leans down to kiss him. Mike's hands leave her hips and thread through her hair as their kiss deepens.

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Next chapter: The new Executive Officer arrives!