Sitting on the bridge Kate sighed looking out at the vast waters ahead of them. It was the perfect navy day. The sun was in just the right place hitting the water and turning the ocean a deep shade of blue.
Rolling the knots out of her shoulders she leant back in her seat catching a glimpse of the radar screen which was completely empty. It was highly unusual but not unwelcome. They had been at sea for just over a week, crash sailed in place of Kingston which had mysteriously developed some serious faults which Mike suspected had something to do with the patrol falling over valentine's day and Commander Curry not wanting to be at sea and trying to play the system.
"Morning" Mike called walking on to the bridge
"Morning Boss" Nav smiled turning from her folder she was looking at.
"How is everything going X" he said walking up behind the captain's chair where Kate was sat.
"Nothing to report and nothing on radar" she sighed
"Good" Mike said "X can I have a word. In my cabin please" he said.
"of course," Kate said softly sliding from her seat.
"Nav, you have the ship" Mike said
"Aye Sir" Nav called sitting in the captain's chair
Following Mike down the stairs Kate smiled as Mike opened the door to his cabin
"Thank you" she said softly as she walked in sitting on the edge of his bunk.
"so I have noticed Morell seems to be a little low amongst the crew" he said "have you noticed anything?" he asked
"yeah" she forced a smile "a crash sail will do that" she said softly
"Especially given what today is" Mike said looking at her
"i know" Kate sighed trying not to lose herself in his eyes she would do anything to spend the day wrapped up in his arms away from the ship and the strains of navy regulations.
"what's our nearest port?" he asked
"Umm..." Kate closed her eyes trying to recall the charts. "We are about an hour outside of Mackay" she said
"good" Mike smiled "I think some R&R are in order. 24 hours should do it. Could you organise a list for those on shore leave and I will go ask Nav to set course for Mackay" he smiled
"Yes sir" Kate said standing to leave
"Oh, and Kate..." Mike said softly reaching for her hand "make sure you are on the list for shore leave"
"Mike..." she whispered losing herself in his eyes.
"please" he said softly, running his fingers across his knuckles
"Yes Sir" she said easing her hand from his.
Heading down to the ships office she grabbed the rota for the watch as well as a second blank sheet of paper she sat down and began drawing up a list. It was mostly based on the general watch list with a few adjustments. Some would have to stay on shore.
Finishing the list, she headed on to the bridge to allow Mike to check the list over before she posted it to the ships notice board.
"Sir." she smiled "list is ready, just need your approval before I post it" she said handing
Looking over the list he smiled picking up the ships PA radio set.
"Hear there this is the captain speaking. Giving what today is the X thought we could all do with some R&R so we will shortly be arriving in Mackay where we will have 24 hours leave. A list of duty rosters will be posted on the ships notice board shortly" he said "that is all"
There were cheers from all over the ship as Mike replaced the handset.
"Well X go put the notice up" he smiled holding the sheet of paper out
"Sir" she said taking it back from him "how long till we are in Mackay?" she asked
"20 minuets" called Nav from the seat.
Heading down there was already a crowd around the ships notice board with 2 dads right at the front.
"Excuse me everyone" Kate sighed taking the pins from the board before pinning the leave schedule up.
She had barely moved out of the way before everyone pushed their way round to see if they had been granted leave.
"Hey! X" 2-dads called running up the corridor "why isn't my name on the leave list" he asked
"2-dads" Kate sighed "after the past few days with all your childish pranks do you really think you deserve shore leave?" she asked
"i don't know what you mean?" he answered with a coy smile
"well, let me refresh your memory" Kate said "the salt and sugar swap, then there were the plastic snakes in the female cabins, putting food colouring in Bomber's shampoo just to name a few. You can stay on board and clean the heads with a tooth brush and If they are satisfactory then maybe you can have a couple of hours in the morning" she replied walking off towards her own cabin.
Shutting the door behind her she sighed as she heard the call for the specials to close up meaning they were reaching their dock for the next few hours. Some valentines day R&R would be welcome even if she couldn't have the perfect valentines it would still be a perfect evening as she as with him.