Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: Ah, the joys of a creative licence! Next chapter is finally up.

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Zipping up her shore bag for the last time, Kate McGregor took a moment to look around the cabin that she shared had shared with Nikki for the past three years. Whilst she'd be back later on the weekend to clear out all her stuff, this moment felt so final.

She grinned ruefully. For one last ride, she had sure gone out with a bang on the last patrol!

Her thoughts are interrupted by the arrival of Mike Flynn in the doorway. He stepped into the room and placed his hand on the back of her neck, saying nothing as he stood beside her and allowed to have those few extra minutes of thought. Gently squeezing her neck, he let go as he reached forward and picked up her bag, before turning in the direction of the door. 'Come on. Crew's at the bar and awaiting our presence.'

'New guy there?' she queried as she grabbed her handbag.

'Nope,' responded Mike as he picked up his own bag near the door. 'Picking up the keys to his new place.'

Kate stepped out of the cabin, pulling the door closed as she watched Mike fling both bags over his shoulder and walk up the stairs. Her eyes took in his form as her eyes wandered south. Nice ass. She loved seeing him in clothes other than the standard, and frankly not that flattering, navy coveralls.

Resting her hand on swell currently hidden under a flowing top, she takes one last look down the corridor before she followed Mike up to the top.

Sliding into the back seat of the taxi next to him, Kate felt no guilt as she sidled up close to him, resting her hand on his thigh as his arm went around her shoulders. 'Going to tell them tonight?'

'Mm-hmm.'

It wasn't long before they pulled up in front of the bar. Entering, Mike heads to the bar for their drinks, whilst Kate heads for her soon-to-be-ex-crewmates.

Noting the conversation level drop to non-existent when she arrived she had her suspicions what they were talking about. They were probably wondering who the hell Jamison Manger was and why he had been onboard the Hammersley for the last few days. Looking at Nav and Buffer's faces confirmed her suspicions. She knew that she'd been pretty useless this last patrol.

Slipping into one of two spare chairs next to Nav, she saw all the eyes turning onto her with expectant looks on their faces – but no words. Mike arrives at the table soon after she sits down and places a drink in front of her before he took his own seat next to her. Time to get this show on the road.

'That was my last patrol on board the Hammersley.' No better way to say it than come straight out with it!

There was a moment of silence before the floodgates opened. She can see the expressions of shock on those that didn't know, and the smug looks on those that did.

'What? Why?' was the chorus from Spider, Bomber and Charge.

'I'm pregnant.'

Liquid actually left Spider's mouth at this exclamation as 2 Dads laughed and clapped him on the back. Smiling at the outburst, she takes a sip of her drink as her gaze falls onto other people. It appeared that Bomber was hard at work trying to figure out who knew and who didn't as she too looked at all the people sitting around.

'I can see why Swain, Nav and the boss knew, and it makes sense that Buffer knew –' her eyes fall on RO who has not reacted at all to the news – 'you knew too?' She really shouldn't be surprised that RO knew. 'What didn't you tell me?!'

'I don't gossip,' was the sombre response.

As the congratulations spill forth, Mike calls for a round of celebratory drinks as everyone settles into a jovial mood.

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When Kate leaves the table soon after needing the toilet – and with Mike heading back to the bar for the drinks – Spider just blurts it out. 'Who's the father?'

Swain raises his hands in defence before Spider's eyes fall onto the two most likely culprits to know. 'Buffer? Nav?' Neither can help themselves as they look at each other with a grin and then turn their faces to the newly arrived Mike who placed a drink in front of his and Kate's chair before the barman behind him placed the jugs of beer on the table. Stepping aside so the barman can get out easily, Mike turns back to the table to find his crew staring at him. Taking in their intense gazes, he looks at them bemusedly. 'What?'

Spider comes to the realisation of what Buffer had been trying to tell him without words. 'No!'

Mike still has no idea what is going on as Kate makes her way back to the table. It's plain for all to see when she rests a hand on Mike's back as she slips by his still standing form to take her seat. Spider, Bomber and Swain make quite a sight as their heads fly between Kate ad Mike furiously as Charge laughs, arms folded across his chest as he rests his head in his hands and chuckles. Nav and Buffer are grinning at each other as 2 Dads nudges RO.

'Did I miss something?' said Kate turning Mike with a smile.

'I'm not sure,' said Mike, seating himself once again and resting his arm on the back of her chair. 'I think I missed the boat myself.'

'Care to share?'

It's shambles before Charge halts his amusement long enough to grab his beer. 'I propose a toast!'

Everyone scrambles to get their drinks as Charge clears his throat and stands. 'To the XO and the CO – congratulations on discovering that in some months time you will be giving birth to the Hammersley's newest sailor.'

Mike and Kate grin as all raise their voices in cheer before they down their drinks.

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With Bomber and Nav being, well, girls in their corner with the expectant mother, the guys were talking about the incoming XO.

'Santa's not too bad,' said 2 Dads with a shrug of his shoulders. 'Served under him on my first posting and he was okay. Strict – but fair.'

'Well that's rich coming from you!' snorted Buffer before Swain intervened. 'Hang on, how did you know about this?'

'Oh you know me, ears and eyes everywhere,' 2 Dads responded conspiratorially with an exaggerated wink.

'Yeah right,' snorted Charge.

'That and I've got a kid myself so wasn't that hard to spot the signs and put two and two together,' he added as if it were the most ordinary thing to raise in a conversation.

For the second time that evening, Spider's drink left his mouth. 'You've got kids?'

'Just the one – Tarquin,' said 2 Dads nonchalantly as he took a sip of his beer and noted that all conversations had stopped and that everyone was now focused on him. He shifted uneasily in his chair.

'Where have you been hiding the brat?' asked RO before Bomber added her two cents worth. 'Under a rock?'

Snorting, 2 Dads placed his drink on the table once more. 'No, he lives with his mother and me in Cairns.'

'You're joking,' said Nav defiantly.

'Wanna bet?' Pulling out his wallet, he produced a picture of a boy with sandy brown hair, a wide grin on his face as his eyes scrunched up against the sun.

'How old is the bloody kid?' asked Buffer when the photo reached his hands. 'Eight?'

'Ten last month,' said 2 Dads.

'You've got a ten year old at home?' said Mike in surprise, surprise echoed by all around him.

'Yeah,' said 2 Dads, taking back the photo. Sliding it back into his wallet, he changed the topic of conversation. 'And now that this is all out in the open, I'm taking bets. Due date, weight, gender and other assorted bettable things on HMAS Baby are now open for bidding.'

As various dates in May were thrown about – and a heated debate arose about gender – Mike pulled back from the clamour around 2 Dads to make his way to stand behind Kate's chair. Slipping his hands over her shoulders to rest on Kate's small swell he rests his head on top of hers. As Kate's hands entwined themselves amongst his he bent his head and kissed the top of her head.

'Well that went well,' murmured Kate.

'That it did.'

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Next Chapter: Do you think this is too easy?