Chapter 3 Tidal
As the three days passed, the day finally arrived as Kate returned to the ship. She was excited but also sad at returning as her time with Mike was over. Kate walked on to the gangway saluting as usual when she spotted Mike on the bridge, he gave her a smile and a subtle nod as she continued walking down to her cabin. Nav spotted Kate following her to their cabin, were she gave Kate a big hug before returning to her duties.
Just as Kate had finished getting out of her whites and into her coveralls the pa system bounced into life hearing Mikes voice.
'' Xo to the bridge at the rush'' She quickly finished getting dressed.
As Kate walked up the steps to the bridge Mike started to take Hammersley out of port as they were to follow up on an FFV spotted by coast guard.
As they approached the vessel Nav attempted to contact them
'' Vessel on my port side, stop heave to , we intend to board you !'' Nav repeated this 2 more times as the vessel failed to comply.
All of a sudden the FFV opened fire, Hammersley personnel hitting the deck to avoid bullets and shrapnel as they ran to their positions.
Spider and Bomber manning the 50. cal and Charge on the typhoon. Nav once again tried the vessel over the radio '' vessel on my port side , stop heave to , or we will fire upon you '' still the vessel refused to comply.
'' one short burst , 50 meters ahead of the bow, engage!'' said Kate, finally the vessel slowed.
Kate and Buffer Boarded and searched the boat, On the vessel they found hundreds of shark fins, Spiders gut was still not used to the smell as he heaved his lunch up over the side of the boat. The fishermen were soon taken into custody and remained on the ship until the rendezvoused with HMAS Kingston.
Three hours had passed as Kate's watch came to an end, it was early morning, hungry and in need of coffee she headed to the galley, as she started to get dizzy and staggering as if she was drunk, when she came across Bomber.
''Ma'am are you ok ?'' asked Bomber.
Lights out as Kate fainted in Bomber's arms. As Buffer was walking up to the bridge for his watch he stopped by the galley to get some coffee, noticing Kate was unconscious in Bomber's arms.
As Kate lay in the ward room unresponsive, Swain was becoming more and more concerned by the minute, 15 minutes went by before Kate woke up dazed and confused as she slowly came back to reality, when she noticed Mike standing by her side.
Swain checking her vitals once more before being dismissed. Mike smiled holding her hand as he went to sit down beside her.
'' You game me quite a scare back there '' he said in a soft and concerned voice.
'' You'd never get rid of me that easily'' she replied sharply with a smile on her face.
Mike accompanied Kate to the hospital, she sat and waited for her name to be called Mike pacing the hallway, unsure what the doctor might find.
As Kate's name was called Mike's heart dropped to the floor, waiting for Kate to return looking down at his watch every minute, it felt like an eternity, an hour later he was seated hanging his head between his knees when he heard the familiar footstep.
Kate made her way down the corridor Mike's head turning to the familiar face he loved. Mike drove Kate home to her apartment were they stood at the door step in silence, the awkwardness slowly creeping in.
As Mike broke the awkwardness with a passionate kiss. Kate kissed back as their lips finally broke apart for air.
''Wow'' said Kate, her voice crackly, as Mike pulled her in once again picking her up as they entered her apartment making there way to Kate's bed.
The next morning Kate found herself in the arms of a man, a man she loved, except she didn't know how to tell him that.
Mike slowly opened his eyes to find a Kate staring into his brown eyes with a large smile spread across her soft face as it slowly transformed into a frown.
Later that day Kate worked up the courage to tell Mike how she felt as Mike agreed with her. They both knew that it would be hard working together but they had to keep it professional. They were officially dating as of then but it stayed between them and no-one was to know. Well not everyone Kate would most definitely tell Nikki and Mike would tell Buffer.