Little did she know that the announcement of their relationship to the crew was not the only revelation Mike has planned for the night. Once they arrived at Mike's place. Mike informs her that they are both flying to Sydney in a few hours time. She asks him why she is going and he tells her that he is taking her to see his parents. He adds that he had already cleared it with Marshall and she will be returning early on Wednesday to meet the new CO of Hammersley.
Kate is in shock. She drifts off to sleep wondering how his parents are going to be around her, are if they will like her. A hundred different things run through her mind about going and meeting his parents. For him, he drifts off to sleep thinking how much his mum is going to love Kate, and that finally he is bringing someone home to visit them. Just before he shuts his eyes he double checks the alarm clock and his phone, having set both for 0500, giving them just over three hours sleep before they are up and off to the airport, for the three hour flight to Sydney.
On the flight down they both sleep. Kate is apprehensive about meeting his parents, this is something totally new to her. He tells her that she just needs to be herself, and that they will love her. She is still not sure and when he informs her that they are staying there as well, this makes her even more nervous. Little does she know that once they land she will get to meet them for the first time, something he has done by choice and not told her.
For Kate, the next few days go fast. She is surprised at how nice and loving Mike's family (were) are. When Mike was at the course on Monday and Tuesday they still acted the same around her. On Monday, his mum takes her out to show her a few places, they do some shopping and have a nice lunch in a little cafe by the water. Tuesday was spent talking about things in general. His mum was very interested in what Kate did in the Navy, and was very intrigued that Kate had goals set for herself. They even spoke about how Kate wanted to one day get married and have a family, but she still wants to achieve things in her career as well.
Mike's parents could see why their eldest boy had fallen so deeply in love with this woman. They could also see that she loved him just as much as he loved her. The looks they gave each other, the smiles, there was something there that they had not seen in a long time; true love, soul mates. His parents knew that this must have been the woman he feel in love with ten years ago. He had never spoken about it to them, but parents always know. They are just pleased that this time he chose her over his job. That evening, the last one together before she flies back home, they are inseparable. The spend a good part of the night sitting together, talking out on the deck of his parents' house. His parents watch from the lounge, smiling every so often when they see them kissing.
The next few weeks go by quickly. Mike settles in to teaching on the course. They have put him mainly down for marking the executive officer's work, so that if Kate gets her promotion she is not under him for marking. He is now staying on base during the week and spends the weekends with his parents.
Kate and the crew have settled in well with their new CO, who is a tad more strict about the rules than Mike was. 2Dads gets himself into trouble a few times and some of the crew are starting to lose some of their spark, but Kate just keeps trucking along. The CO has come from frigates and is not used to the way patrol boats run and work, or the less formal way things are done. Kate is able to relate to this as it is how she was when she first arrived, and knowing it takes time she decides to talk to the crew about it. Drawing on her own experience, she lets them know that he might not be finding it easy being transferred like he has; it's not often a CO from frigates gets posted to patrol boats. After her talk, the crew decide to cut him some slack and do things better; if this is their CO then they need to show him they can do things correctly. Kate does not inform them that she is up for promotion again and that if she gets it then she will be the new CO of Hammersley. She has been a tad unsure if she really wants this promotion but now she thinks she could do it, and she does want the crew back to how it was when Mike was on board.
Hammersley is coming to the end of its fifth week out at sea. Kate knows the promotion signal is due out any day and she can't wait to know. Hammersley is due back in port in four days time, giving Kate, if she gets the promotion time, to organise her flight down to Sydney. She is yet to do it, too worried that if she does she won't get it.
Back in Sydney, Mike is being kept busy. The other tutor on the course is one of Mike's old mates, a friend he has not seen much of recently and is enjoying catching up with him. He finds out that Bill suffered injuries that prevent him being out on the water so he took the teaching job four years ago and is loving it. More for the fact, he found himself a lady and is now happily married. He questions Mike about the rumors he heard regarding him quiting for some lady, and after a few weeks of pestering, Mike gives in and tells him about Kate. The pride evident in his voice when he talks about her, he tells Bill how she is up for promotion, and then it clicks. Bill understands why they bumped him up to marking all the CO stuff while Mike is here. He smiles at Mike, asking him a few more questions and he happily answers, not afraid to talk about their relationship since it is no secret as the brass know about it, as Steve approved it.
Mike is busy with the last week of the second course, marking papers and running the trainees through drills, that he forgets to check the promotion signal when it comes out.
Though Kate hasn't forgotten. Steve calls her and informs her that she got the promotion. She is over the moon about it and asks Steve if he can sort out a flight for tomorrow as she wants to surprise Mike. Steve said he will organise it all for her and that when they dock later today he will be there waiting for her with her tickets and her new tags for her uniform.
When she returns to the bridge, she has a huge smile on her face. The crew are trying to figure out what is going on; they think Mike must be coming home early. For the rest of the trip home the crew are starting to wonder what Kate is on. Several have asked her if she is ok, and all they get is "I'm Fine", which for some they know does not always mean it, but going by her smile she is.
During their time apart they do email each other as often as time allows, and she does try and ring him at least once a week, depending of course on what Hammersley is doing at the time that RO has allocated her for making personal calls.
At 1700 hours Hammersley docks in Cairns and Captain Steve Marshall is waiting on the wharf for Kate. Once everything is docked Steve greets her, hands over the stuff she needs and takes her home.
Friday is a busy day for Mike. He starts off with his normal morning run with Bill, and the rest of the students, then it is shower, dress, breakfast then head off to class to set up for the morning session. As today is the last day of this intake, Bill and Mike give back the test papers and then go through it with them, pointing out where they can improve and how.
It is nearing lunch time and everyone is getting restless. Mike has his back to the class and is busy writing on the white board, writing up some facts for the students to think about then give him what they think they should do. He puts up, depth of channel, width, tide, depth of boat,and then waits to see waits to see what the students come up with, or if they ask for more information. Little does he know is that Kate has snuck in and is sitting at the back, listening to what is going on, but Bill has noticed the new addition. As she reads what he has on the board she smiles. She knows the channel he is talking about; one that they try and not use, but had no option one day. A few students ask a few questions and get more information, now knowing it is night time and that they don't have full power to all equipment. One gives an answer which is not right nor wrong, for the situation Mike has described to them. As he looks around the room he spots Kate and a smile appears on his face, he checks his watch there is fifteen minutes left before lunch. He asks if anyone else would like to add anything, he sees the smirk on Kate's face; she knows the answer. Mike decides to give them some more information to see if it helps. But still no one gets it. In the end Mike provides them with the answer and also gives them more information. He does inform them that this does not happen often but they have to be prepared for these sorts of things. The bell goes off to inform them that it is lunchtime, the class is dismissed, as the sailors file out they all turn and look at the blonde in the back of the room who is not moving, all wondering who she is.
"I could tell you were struggling at the seams not to answer," he says (to her) as she walks down to him. He is leaning against the desk while Bill puts a few things away.
"Yes, it wasn't easy keeping quiet." He notices the change on her shoulders.
"I see you got the promotion," he smiles at her.
"Nope, I'm wearing these because they look nice." They hug and he gently gives her a kiss on the lips.
"'Grats, honey" Mike says to her while they hug.
"Thank you I found out yesterday."
"Well we will have to go out tonight and celebrate, does the crew know?"
"Nope." There is a cough in the background cutting her off from saying anything else.
"Oops, sorry Bill. Bill this is Kate McGregor, Kate this is Bill Snell and old friend of mine." They shake hands.
"Well it is nice to finally met the woman that has Mike giving up that boat of his." Kate laughs.
"Not his boat anymore, as of now it is mine." Bill looks puzzled.
"How do you know you command that boat? We don't give out the assignments, if you do have a command, till the last day here."
"Ah well, you see Bill, long story short, we already knew if Kate got the promotion she got Hammersley," Mike replies.
"Anyway what are you doing here, and why didn't you tell me you were coming down today?"
"Well I wanted to surprise you," she smiles at him.
"Well thank you for that. Have you got somewhere to stay? I can ring mum and ask her if you can stay there?"
"Already done. She picked me up from the airport and then dropped me off here, I just have to ring her when I want picking up and taking back." He smiles and shakes his head, giving her a kiss on the cheek before whispering in her ear.
"I told you, you'll be fine with them." She just looks at him and smiles.
"Anyway we better get some lunch, care to join us?" Bill asks.
"Why not," she replies and they head off to get lunch with all the other officers and sailors that are on base. When they enter, the students from Mike and Bill's class notice that other officer is with the two gentlemen, and when they sit down to eat lunch she sits right beside Mike, and across from Bill. Immediately they begin gossiping about this woman and her relationship with one or both of their tutors, the name on her badge having meant nothing to them.
Once lunch is over Kate heads off to catch a cab back to his parents' place. He agrees to meet her there later and take her out to celebrate, extending the invitation to Bill and his wife.