Much later on a night I was lying on the bed with Steve on top of me, he had the superior stamina of a healthy man and the added energy of an elite soldier, I would never get enough of him in either of his personas and I was glad tonight that he was in his passionate and carefree mood that just rocked my world for the last few hours. I pulled him closer to me as he moved to the side and caught our breaths, the only sounds being our heavy breathing and sound of the waves outside – it was incredible to listen to and I chuckled.

"Better not be laughing at my skills Corporal?" he whispered grinning.

"Oh nothing to laugh about their Commander, in fact I am in awe of your skills and welcome a refresher course at any time of day or night!" I replied.

He looked at me and pulled me on top of him as he brought my head down for a kiss and I obliged to his heated gaze and quite obvious arousal.

It was a couple of days later that I received a visit from a member of brass directly from Pearl Harbour, the others had spotted his arrival and Steve came out with me to greet him; he pointed to me and I headed over with a shrug. He handed me an envelope and ordered me to make a decision so things could progress – I stood there and nodded as I signed the forms and was then hit with the second lot of news. I saw the man off a few minutes later and then turned back around to greet Steve who was leaning against the desk and frowned.

"Everything alright, you look like someone stole your ice cream?"

I stood there half doing a goldfish impression and then looked up, he moved closer to me as he saw the stress run through my eyes as I counted the implications of what the man had told me as we stood there with the paperwork.

"Sadie, what's wrong?" he insisted.

I snapped myself out of the recall and swallowed.

"I'm getting promoted and my paperwork for transference has come through – they needed to know my details for my new uniform that needs ordered." I replied.

He frowned as I he knew there was more to come.

"What else was said, are you alright as you are pale as a sheet!"

I went back to my goldfish routine, what the hell were the higher brass thinking?

"Last time I am asking Sarah!" he hissed.

My eyes snapped to his and I replied quietly.

"Clearance from Washington, I am officially on reserves for the SEALS – we have to report for a briefing on Friday after the ceremony – they are going to tell the active units about Sparx!" I whispered.

Steve remained silent as I told him the news, he already knew somehow and I gathered it was from Jones or Joe; I blew out a hiss and paced the room slightly.

"You knew?" I hissed at him.

He had the decency to look slightly sheepish.

"Yes I did, John let me know at the gym, said something about a promotion and potentially where that could and would lead to if the teams were made aware of your status!"

I started to pace the room, blowing off the excess steam I was building at the explosive nature of Sparx and my history within the military; I knew this wasn't going to go well and I was starting to feel the small pull of running away from it.

"Why didn't you tell me about this, maybe I don't want this to become knowledge in the SEALS – shouldn't I have a say in it?" I whispered clenching my hands.

He stopped me pacing and looked at me, I looked up at him and he smiled.

"I'm sorry but I was not allowed too, remember one unit already knows about you – it's just time to tell the rest of them and I think they will be very proud of you – you have served both of your countries with honour and you are more than capable of going through with any tests they want you to do – I'll be going through them too!" he replied.

I nodded and leaned my head against his shoulder and looked up as Kono walked in on us, she was automatically alert and came across to us.

"Are you two alright, we saw the brass walk in and wondered what was going on?"

I nodded to her and shrugged my shoulders.

"I'm officially a member of the US Forces and getting promoted on Friday – then they are telling the active SEAL units about me and Sparx – should be a fun day – want to come?"

"Cute muscular men in uniform, I am so there sister!" she replied grinning.

I burst out laughing at her cheesy grin and headed off with her to the kitchen to organise our workload.

Friday morning saw me wide away well before dawn and I couldn't fall asleep again, I got up and after the bathroom I headed down stairs and out onto the Lanai; the sun was not far from making an appearance and I stood on the shoreline in my long cotton nightdress and pulled my shawl around my shoulders. It was a massive deal today, Steve had inquired about what service I was going into since either one I was reserve for the SEALS – I refused to tell him and he would have to wait for the surprise at midday. I looked down at my hands and remembered my training as I took in all the energy I would need for today; I kneeled down on the sand and started to meditate, trying to calm my mind to get through the next couple of hours.

I was pacing the back stage as the CO of Pearl Base was doing allocations of the medals and promotions to other service members, I was last to receive the award for the day and I was bricking it. I knew that I was jumping from a UK rank of Corporal to Lieutenant in the US forces – but I was unaware of anything else apart from the oath I had to swear. My name was called by a young PFC and I stood at attention and put my covers on as I walked up the small set of stairs and onto the stage to a round of applause and snapped to attention as an Admiral walked over to me and began the ceremony. I was dressed in full uniform of the US Navy and as they pinned on the bars to my shoulders, they also pinned on another item to the front of my uniform above my ribbons – it was the 'SEAL Trident'. I blanched and saluted to the Admiral and staff as I stood at attention and swore the oath of the USN.

It was a while later that I was walking along the corridor towards the garden party trying to gather my thoughts and get my head around the new bars on my chest; no way in hell was I expecting that to be attached to my uniform since it was a unique marker among the navy. A few people clocked it as I passed and I saw the quick double looks from active service personnel and walked faster to my destination. I looked around the area as I put my covers back on and saluted to the Admiral again and made my way to where Steve was, I was shaking in my shoes and caught a glance of myself in a mirror and looked pale as fuck; Steve would see right through my outer shell, which he just had as he made his way over to me.

"Damn, are you alright?" he whispered taking my arm.

"Did you know about the Trident? They openly marked me as SEAL!" I hissed.

"I didn't know, but I have had to divert some questions – we better head back to base after saying goodbye to a couple of brass!" he replied.

I nodded and we took our leave together after saying goodbye and made our way to the car, I removed my covers and took a deep breath as I slid into the driver's side and leaned back against the seat; this was turning out to be a weird day for surprises! I hit the highway to get us onto Pearl Avenue and then took a sharp right as I hit the slipway to get us onto the main entrance to the base, it was a quick drive but we needed to change before we were introduced to the other units and put through our tests – the rest of the team was meeting us there with Joe who had given them special clearance. We parked up and headed into the XO's office and signed into the base.

"Commander, Lieutenant – we've been expecting you and have your gear ready. Commander once you are changed you can head directly into JSOC, I will need a few minutes with Lieutenant McGregor to prepare her for what is going to happen this afternoon!"

We both nodded and headed to change in the room put aside for us, we had combats organised for us as we were going to be put through our paces with an active unit, and it would stop any issues of practical jokes spreading around the place later on! Steve kissed me and then headed off to the briefing while the XO walked in and nodded.

"Alright Sadie, I'll bring you into the room at the proper time and we have support there for you if needed, give them hell if they are inappropriate!" he replied.

"Yes Sir."

He nodded and took me along the corridor and twenty minutes later he slipped me into the room and I stood in the dark as I watched the seventy men be briefed on the Sparx programme – it was pretty comical to see the range of emotions across their faces, most disbelief, some quite obvious arousal at the thought that a woman could do their job – others just with brain death and denying its existence. The briefing came to a halt and the Commander of the unit walked back up to the podium and looked at his men who were still reeling slightly.

"Alright ladies listen up – Sparx was a trial, one that worked and we have the last remaining member of the programme with us today and we are going to show you ladies up and make you cry! She is an active operator with a specialised team that has worked out of Pearl on a series of missions over the last two years and she is also a member of the Five-O task force – Lieutenant McGregor, please come to the podium and show them how it's done!"

I sucked up a deep breath and walked down the space between the two sets of chairs and made my way to the podium, I heard the slight change of noise in the room as I turned around and a couple of them recognised me instantly, I nodded to them all and let the Commander start his speech again.

"This is Lieutenant Sarah McGregor, formally of the UK Royal Alexandra Medical Corps, now a full member of the United States Navy and a full reservist of the SEAL unit on site. She has agreed to join us today and will precipitate in manoeuvres and training over the next four days with everyone here – we will not be pulling punches gentleman and you will treat her like any other member of our elite group!"

He motioned for me to take the podium and I nodded in thanks.

"Good morning ladies, seems I am one of the only few people present in this room with balls – sit up straight or have you forgotten there are brass in this room that could bust your ass down to meter maid in Disney land!" I yelled at them.

Every single one of them sat up straighter immediately and apologised to me and the brass in the room, I nodded and started on question time.