Three Days Later
0900hrs
Navcom
Mike and Kate are in Maxine's office. They have not spoken to or seen each other since their encounter at Mike's house. When they enter Maxine notices the tension, they are not as relaxed as they normally are when they in her office.
"Thanks you two for coming down today. Your new Coxswain will be here soon. Now, while we wait, let's talk shall we?"
"As long as it is about work, Maxine, then go for it," Mike says to her.
"This rotation has you out for six weeks. Which, Mike, is cutting it very, very fine with your contract."
"Maxine..."
"No, Mike. Fleet Command has asked me to get your answer today. They can't pluck a CO out of thin air, Mike, and you know that. They need the time while you are on rotation to find a new CO, if you decide to not re-sign it."
"Maxine, I have still not heard back from them about my case. Until I do, I am not signing my contract."
"Mike?"
"No, Maxine, they know what I want. I don't want to be out at sea anymore; I want my shore posting back. They know this and if they are not prepared to do it, then fine. They find a new CO for Hammersley and a replacement for me here, and I mean it, Maxine. So if you want me to give you an answer today, then you had better get an answer from them."
Maxine notices Kate has her head half down, looking at her hands that are fiddling with her hat. She feels the atmosphere could be cut with the ceremonial sword that is close by.
"Are you two going to be like this while out on patrol?"
"No," they both snap back at Maxine.
"Mike, Kate. You can't be like this while on the ship. Your crew are going to pick up on it, and it is not a good example to set for the new coxswain that is joining the team. Have either of you spoken to the other in the last three days?"
"No," they say in unison, their voices a lot softer than their previous response.
"Well, you two should talk. Clear the air before you leave in three days, because this tension that is here in my office is not good."
"Maxine. With all due respect, come work, we will be fine. Now can I see the file on the new coxswain that we have coming on board tomorrow?" Mike requests.
"Fine," Maxine says, passing the file over to him to read. The room is silent while Mike reads the file. Maxine watches him pass some of the pages over to Kate as he finishes reading them. Normally they would lean towards each other and read the file together, at the same time. Not like this.
The ringing phone interrupts her thoughts and she reaches across her desk to grasp the receiver
"Hi, Maxine. Jim Brown from Fleet Command here. Do you have a response from Commander Flynn yet?"
"Commander Flynn is here right now. Would you like to speak to him yourself?" Maxine says, watching Mike look up when he hears his name.
"Yes please, Maxine. That would be good."
"Mike," Maxine says as she passes him the phone.
"Mike Flynn speaking."
"Mike. Jim Brown, Fleet Command."
"Yes, Jim. What can I do for you?"
"We would like to know if you are going to sign your contract or not."
"As I just said to Commander White, I will not be signing my contract till I know what is happening about my case."
"Well, Mike. It is still in review at this stage."
"It has been that way for several months now Jim, and I think I have been patient enough waiting for you guys to decide." The frustration evident in his voice.
"So, Mike. I take it that you won't be signing your contract."
"No, not unless what I asked for gets done."
"Ok, thank you, Mike. I will let Fleet Command know that they are looking for a new CO for Hammersley. Can you pass me back to Maxine, please?"
"Sure. Maxine, Jim would like to speak to you again," Mike says, passing the phone back to her. Kate glances at Mike and their eyes meet. Once their eyes lock onto each other, they say sorry via their looks. Maxine watches their progress and feels the air change slightly within the room. She notices Kate looking down, away from Mike, as if she had been caught out staring at him.
"Commander White? Are you there?" The question breaks Maxine from what she is watching back to the phone call.
"Sorry Jim, got sidetracked. What was it you were saying?"
Kate and Mike go through the rest of the new Coxswain's file, paying no attention to Maxine's one-sided conversation.
Five minutes later there is a knock at the door, and Maxine glances up as Lieutenant Smith ushers another sailor into the room.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," Maxine replies, dismissing him as she gets up from behind her desk and moves to the other side.
"Petty Officer Jon Webster, this is Commander Mike Flynn Commanding Officer, and Lieutenant Kate McGregor, Executive Officer of Hammersley. Mike, Kate, this is your new Coxswain," Maxine introduces, as the three of them shake hands. They make small talk and Mike suggests that he should come to the pub later and met the rest of the crew who will be there.
Later on at the Pub
The majority of the crew are there, but Mike and Kate are conspicuously absent. Dutchy was starting to wonder if the two had finally worked things out and had some good news to tell them. As he stands up to get another round, Mike, Kate and someone else walk in to the pub and over to the group. The crew go silent when Mike and Kate get close.
"Everyone, I would like you to met our new Coxswain, Petty Officer Jon Webster," Mike addresses the group before performing individual introductions. As Dutchy watches on, he notices something different about Mike and Kate tonight. He can't place his finger on it, but something is not right. When he sees Kate head to the bar to get herself a drink, he uses the opportunity to suggest another round of drinks.
"Boss, you want a beer?"
"No thanks, Dutchy," Mike replies and the crew stand there stunned.
"Sir, come on. Have a drink," Charge encourages and a few others agree, so he gives in.
"Ok, I will have one drink and that is all," he replies to them.
Dutchy heads to the bar and stands beside Kate, asking if she is all right.
"Fine thank you, Dutchy," Kate replies quickly.
"Why don't you join us?"
"I don't think I should."
"Why not?" he asks as he looks at her.
But before she can answer, Mike walks up to the bar and stands beside her. Dutchy passes him a beer before enlisting the help of a barman to distribute the rest. Mike takes a sip of his beer and attempts to get Kate to join the group.
"Kate, I would like it, no love it, if you would join me and the rest of the crew."
"Mike, I'm not sure." Kate sounds hesitant and Mike reaches over, covering her hand with his and gently rubbing his thumb against her skin. Kate stares down, surprised he has reached out to her; to comfort her. She feels the familiar shock of electricity run through her veins. His touch always does that to her.
"Kate, I know things have not gone to plan for either of us, but this is my last patrol. Can we try and enjoy ourselves, and then maybe try and work out what to do about this?" Mike says softly, lifting her hand slightly at the end of the his question
"I'm sorry. I can't be honest with you. It's just-" She lets out a muffled sob and he releases her hand to slide his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into a sidewards hug. She leans against his shoulder and he rests his chin on the top of her head, unaware of Dutchy's interest in them.
"Kate, it's ok. Maxine is right. We do need to talk, but we can do that later."
"Mike, we shouldn't be doing this," she says, realising what they have done and pulling away slightly.
"Kate, right now I don't really care. In seven weeks I am no longer in the Navy and, at some stage, I need to inform that lot," he says, subtly nodding his head in the direction of the crew. They turn to view them and he casually slides his arm around her waist, thinking no one can see. He has no idea that someone else has been watching the two of them since they arrived at the pub.
"Probably a good idea."
Mike and Kate head over to join the crew, his hand on the small of her back as they walk. He leans in and whispers something in Kate's ear, causing her to blush. He gently rubs her back as he guides her to the only seats left; a two seater couch. They relax in the easy company and small talk of the group and are soon on to their second round of drinks. Mike grins as he notices Ryan's appearance with Bird. Far too cosy to be friends, he decides. Kate notices the smile on his face and leans over to whisper in his ear.
"What you smiling about?" she asks softly, causing a shiver up his back. Damn her. She knows what that does to me. Thank God where we are sitting is softly lit.
"Bird and Ryan, they seem more than just friends." She looks towards where Bird is perched on Ryan's lap, his arm circling her waist and hers around his neck.
"There are no rules stopping them," she whispers again in his ear.
"Kate." He looks at her and she smiles back. Casually leaning over, he whispers in her ear. The ear that is away from the crew, but in the clear sight of someone else.
"Kate, you damn well know that whispering in my ear is not recommended. And you damn well know why, so can you please stop it?" he says softly, placing a gentle kiss under her ear before he stands up in an effort to gain the attention of his shipmates.
"Ok guys, quieten down please. I have a few things I would like to say, before you lot get far too drunk to remember it tomorrow." The crew start laughing.
"Right. We sail on Monday morning, 0900hrs sharp. Be on board by 0600hrs, we have supplies to load and other things to do before we sail. Also, please make sure our new Coxswain is made to feel at home. I do understand that our first patrol without Chris is going to feel odd. If you feel at anytime you need to talk, come and see me or, if you don't want to talk to me, I can get Robert to patch you through to one of the counsellors the Navy provide for us. I do hope you have all been using them over the last few weeks. Now, the final thing is that this patrol is..."
"Mike Flynn. Why is it that when you get yourself into trouble, I'm the first port of call?" Steve Marshall cuts in, effectively ending Mike's announcement and diverting attention to himself.
"I'm not sure, Sir. Why are you here?" Mike replies.
"Well, Mike. Where do I start, or who do I start with?" he asked, looking at both Mike and Kate. "I got a phone call this morning, Mike, from the Chief of Navy and Fleet Command. They're not to happy with you right now, so they have sent me up here to find out what is going on and to sort it out. So, tomorrow, 0900hrs. In your office at Navcom and do not be late, Mike." Having issued the order, Marshall turns and walks out of the pub, leaving the crew stunned.
Mike puts his drink down and follows Steve, wanting more information than his superior has provided. Kate is left standing there hesitating, she wants to know more but doesn't want to face the myriad of questions from the crew. She makes her choice and puts her drink down, following the same path as the two men. The crew, unsure what to make of what they have just witnessed between the three officers, get back to drinking.
Mike catches up with Marshall outside of the pub.
"Steve. Why did you fly all the way up here to talk to me, when you normally ring me?"
"I wanted to meet the woman that has you prepared to give everything up."
"Steve.."
"Mike, I saw how you and Kate were interacting in the pub. I saw the kiss you gave her. I really should be asking how long has this been going on without anyone knowing."
"Steve, nothing has happened while we have been serving together. Did Maxine ring you as well?" Mike deflects the conversation away from him and Kate to Maxine.
"Yes, she did call me. So, Mike, how serious are you about this?"
"I'm serious, Steve. They either put me back on shore or I walk away from it all."
"So how long do I have to work this out with them?"
"I have seven weeks left. Fleet Command have known about this for several months. It is not new to them, I just don't think they thought I was serious about it till now. They, you, pushed me for three years to take a shore posting. When I finally take it I spent how long? One week on shore and then I am put back on. Trying to get off became harder and harder the longer it took to find someone suitable. When the promotions list came out I was meant to return to my shore posting. I was promised I would be. I was not even asked about staying on for another twelve months; I had to find out via my crew that I had been reassigned. No one bothered to ask me how I felt about it and if I was ok with it. So I told them what they could do and if they didn't, this is what I would do. I'm sticking to it Steve, and nothing you will say tomorrow will change my mind."
"You're totally sure about this, Mike?"
"Yes, I am."
"Well, I still want to talk to you tomorrow," Steve says as he opens his car door and hops in.
"Sure, I will see you tomorrow," Mike replies before heading home, no longer in the mood to socialise with the crew.
It takes Mike about fifteen minutes to walk home. As he is walking, he is thinking about Kate.
God, why did I kiss her in there? How stupid was I for doing that there? How many times do I need to tell myself that I have to be careful around her. Maxine is right though, we really do need to talk; sort things out once and for all. I need to find out why she has trouble being honest with me on a personal level. She doesn't have any issues in our professional relationship.
God, why did she whisper in my ear like she did? Her smell, her breath on my ear; she knows what it does to me. Now all I want to do is be with her, have her in my bed. Damn that woman.
Mike is brought out of his thoughts when he sees someone on his front porch; the dim light not giving much away.