Chapter Three

He opens the door leading to the bridge and walks up the stairs, holding the sat phone still to his ear. As Mike comes up all eyes turn to him. Bird lets out a girly squeal, covering her mouth instantly afterwards and murmuring "Sorry Sir." Mike only smiles and goes over to Nav, who is sitting in front of the radar. "ETA to base Nav?" Turning around in her seat, Nav is greeted with the sight of her captain's naked torso, a well tanned and muscular one at that. Slightly blushing, Nav stays professional and answers "With the current speed and course it should take us no more than a day Sir. We should reach home port at 09:45 hrs tomorrow morning."

Thanking her with a nod, Mike relays the information to Maxine and reassuring her that he is alright, he ends the call and puts the sat phone into his pants pocket. Seeing that still all eyes are on him he asks annoyed "What are you staring at? Don't you have work to do?" Charge steps forward from his marine link console and halting in front of his captain, says "I think it would be better to get a shirt on, boss. You are distracting the junior sailors too much."

Taking a look around, he sees 2Dads, Dutchy, Spider, Bird, the X and Nav. All are looking at him astonished. The girls even look admiringly at their captain, enjoying this rare treat. Seeing those looks directed at him, gives Mike an idea. Taking Charge aside, he asks him "How is your fitness training going Charge? It looks like you could use another round?" Charge tries to think of something to say to get out of this prickle, but the unrelenting look from his boss, makes it clear that he has no choice in the matter. Giving in he says "Do we have to do it now Sir?"

With a soft smile, Mike claps Charge on his back "We are at sea for another day without anything to do. So why not use the time to help you get back into shape? – Now go get changed, so we can start. Meet me in five minutes on the fo'c'sle!" With those words said, he turns around to the rest of the crew "Nav you have the ship! X with me!" Not waiting for an answer from either women, Mike runs down the stairs and makes his way to the foredeck. There he waits for Charge and the X to arrive.

Knowing that they will sweat a lot in the heat, he grabs the radio from his other pants pocket and contacts the bridge "November-82 this is Charlie-82. Do you copy?" Up on the bridge, Nav answers the radio call "Charlie-82 this is November-82. What can I do for you boss?" Seeing Charge arrive with the X in tow, he replies "Send Bird down with some bottles of water and some towels. We'll need them later. Charlie-82 out." Putting the radio back in his pocket, he turns to his crew members "Glad you could make it" ,pausing he looks directly at Kate and continues "X you'll watch us. If you see any sign of cheating, let me know."

Returning his attention to Charge, he says "We'll start with push-ups. About thirty should do it. Then we continue with sit-ups. Same amount. And then we do chin-ups. For those we move to the aft deck. Then we'll call it a day. Got it Charge?" Not very happy about this, Charge just mumbles "Aye Sir." Just as they are about to start, Bird comes out with a bag filled with water bottles and some towels under her arm. Still a bit flustered from seeing her CO half naked, she isn't paying attention where she is going and is only stopped in her tracks as she collides with the solid form of the one person she was just thinking about, her captain.

Opening her eyes all she sees is deeply tanned skin, covered with a bit of dark hair. She blushes furiously as she realizes that she has put up her hand instinctively on her captain's chest to stop herself from falling. Before Bird knows what is going on, she feels his hand lifting her chin, making her look up at him. Studying his young sailor intently he asks "Are you alright Bird? You look a bit flushed?" All Bird sees in her boss' blue eyes is honest concern for his youngest crew member. Composing herself, Bird answers "I'm alright Sir. Thanks for asking."

Accepting her answer, Mike lets go of her and tells her to just set the bottle bag and the towels down on the ground, sending her back inside. Hurriedly Bird follows his order and returns to the galley, starting on preparations for their lunch.

Up on the bridge the rest of the crew Dutchy, 2Dads, Spider and Nav watch what is happening on the foredeck on a monitor in rapid fascination. They had never seen their boss without a shirt on, while on duty and doing work-out. Nav asks 2Dads "Is this being recorded?" 2Dads nods with a cheeky grin.

On the fo'c'sle Mike and Charge get down on the ground and start with their push-ups. Kate is standing aside and counts loudly. Mike is more than glad that he is topless as the high temperature and humidity causes him to sweat heavily, thick droplets running down in rivulets along his back. Kate has trouble concentrating, licking her lips unconsciously, wanting nothing more then to follow that sweaty path with her tongue, licking him clean. Shaking her head at such thoughts, Kate returns her attention back to the two men in front of her.

Charge has some trouble keeping up with his boss, but he is determined to see this right through to the end. Finally Kate announces that they have reached thirty. Charge is relieved and turns around to get into a sitting position, ready to start with the sit-ups. Looking over to his captain, he is more then astonished to see him still doing push-ups, but only on one arm! His other arm is resting comfortably on his back. Kate can't take her eyes off of him. Even from this short distance she can see the muscles rippling on his strong back with each push-up. After about twenty, he changes position and does another twenty supported only on his left arm.

Those on the bridge who watch this all on a monitor, are sitting there with slack jaws and wide eyes. Dutchy speaks up "Never thought the boss had it in him." Nav looks to him and says "Never underestimate Mike Flynn. There is a lot more to him that even we don't know about." Nodding Dutchy returns his attention to the screen. Spider and 2Dads can't believe either what they are witnessing just now. Their CO is always good for a surprise it seems.

Down on the deck, Mike stands up and goes over to the bag containing the bottles. He gets two of them out and throws one over to Charge "Catch!" Just in time Charge reacts and catches the bottle, thanking his boss with a nod and a smile. Drinking from his bottle Mike picks up one of the towels and starts dabbing at his chest, which is glistening with sweat. Kate watches him intently. Unfortunately Mike knows fully well that he is being watched. With a cheeky grin, he asks "Like what you see X?"

Seeing her inability of a verbal answer, Mike changes his tactic. Holding out the towel to her, he orders playfully "How about you rub my back dry X?" Looking into his blue eyes and seeing that they are sparkling with mischief, Kate realizes that her CO is really flirting with her openly. Smiling up at him, she answers "How about I'll give you a back rub later on Sir? I think this would be more helpful then just rubbing you dry."

Now it's his turn to look at her speechless. But two can play that game. Completely forgetting about Charge, the rest of the crew and where they are, they continue their playful banter. As they are standing so close to each other that their chests are nearly touching, Mike snaps out of it. Looking down at Kate, he says softly "To be continued X." Turning his attention on Charge, he shouts "Now we'll do the thirty sit-ups! Ready Charge?" Charge nods "Aye Sir!"

Both sit down on the deck, ready to start the second part of their work-out, when 2Dads and Spider come up to the foredeck, yelling "Wait Sir! Charge!" Intrigued they both wait what those two want from them. As the two junior sailors reach them, Mike asks "2Dads, Spider. What can I do for you?" 2Dads kneels down in front of his boss and answers "We are just here to help you guys." Seeing confusion clouding his boss' eyes, he explains "Doing sit-ups is much more easier if your feet are kept on the ground, boss."

Nodding as realization dawns on him, Mike replies "Thank you 2Dads. You and Spider will be cleared from cleaning duty after this." Happy to hear this from their captain, 2Dads and Spider take their respective positions. Spider is now holding down Charge's booted feet and 2Dads does the same for his boss. Kate starts once again counting to thirty, loud enough for all to hear. As they reach thirty, Charge is happy to be done for now. But Mike keeps on going, determined to show his whole crew that he is still as fit as any of his young sailors.

2Dads is now counting for him and keeps him going with encouraging words. Even Spider joins in, curious to know how far his boss is able to go. On the bridge Nav and Bird watch on in fascination how their boss is working his muscles in the mid morning sun. Only Dutchy has turned his attention back to the EOD, watching out for any FFVs or SEIVs. He smiles when he sees how the girls are reacting to seeing their CO barechested, which is a rare sight on board any navy ship.