Ok here is the next part I was going to jump forward 2 years but then this came to me. Hope you like it. And please feel free to leave feedback it does help me good or bad.

2 days later.

Mike is at Netcom talking to Maxine in her office

"Maxine when is Hammersley getting a replacement CO?"

"Hammersley is not getting a replacement CO Mike"

"WHAT!" Mike yells at Maxine

"I'm sorry Mike but something else came up and I have had to give you job here at Netcom to someone else. As you have properly heard we lost another CO on medical grounds and I had no choice but to give them your position here"

"Well then let me command that patrol boat and have Lieutenant McGregor became Co of Hammersley"

"Sorry Mike I can't the executive officer on that patrol boat has been there longer than Kate has been on Hammersley so they get first pick and he accepted"

Mike is not looking to happy about this

"Plus Mike, Kate also seems to be the only dam Executive Officer to stick around with you as I was looking at your file and you are lucky to get them to last more than 6mnths so Canberra support my view of keeping Lieutenant McGregor as your Executive Officer and promoting the other one to Co and then finding a new executive officer for them will be easier"

Mike is not happy at all. Maxine can sense something is bugging him but decides to leave it knowing her friend well it is not the time or place to confront him about it.

"Mike I am doing my best. Once another position comes up here it will be yours I promise"

"Thanks Maxine. When does Hammersley set sail again?"

"You guys have 2 weeks shore leave. So I will see you here at Netcom in 2 weeks with your orders"

"Ok thanks Maxine" Mike gets up to leave and stops when Maxine starts talking to him again

"Mike why don't you came over for dinner one night and catch up. Ryan will be home this weekend. He would love to catch up he also said something about Bird and wonting to see her again too. Can you let her know please that he is back this weekend and wants to catch up?"

"Sure thing Maxine and I am free Saturday so see you then"

"Ok see you Saturday my place 1900hrs"

"Bye Maxine

"Bye Mike"

Mike leaves Maxine office and decides to go for a walk to think.

Got Kate is not going to be impressed when I tell her I have not been able to get posted off. She is really going to think I don't love her. And dam Swain for picking up on these things he must have been some good cop. What the hell am I going to do about this? I doubt Maxine or the brass will give me a new XO. And if Kate leaves they are going to start to look and wonder what is going on between us. Dam the Navy and their dam rules. Better go break the news to Kate.