TITLE: If things have been different
AUTHOR: Alimoo1971
RATING:
SPOILERS:
CATEGORY:
PAIRINGS: Mike/Kate
SUMMARY: What if Mike and Kate meet in 1995, seven years before Watson bay
ARCHIVE: Fan fiction
DISCLAIMER: OK, don't own characters. Made this story up, didn't make any money out of it, yada, yada, you know the rest.
FEED BACK: Yes Please
NOTES: I was thinking about this story, so I decided to write it.
SONGS:
Nineteen year old Midshipmen Kate McGregor finish her training to become an officer for the Royal Australian navy. She found out she been transferred to Sydney to be on the HMAS Darwin after her graduation at the navy collage where she was in the top of her class.
Her instructors and teachers were quiet impress with Kate knowledge and rules that cause her to have the highest score that any of the instructors have ever seen in years. During Kate training she save her money so when she finish her collage she will have enough to buy a car and a depots on a apartment and some furniture.
When Kate received her orders she made some phone calls before leaving the collage and head to Sydney since she got a week before the HMAS Darwin leave for her patrol.
Kate stay in a hotel for the night since she would be looking at apartments as well getting her self a car. It didn't take her long to find a one bedroom apartment that she like on the first day. After signing the papers and handing out her bond depots. Kate went and got her self a car and went shopping.
The next day Kate was in her new apartment with her two suite cases, sea bag and boxes of stuff she brought the day before. When her new furniture arrived it was two seater love seat, coffee table, dinning suite and bedroom suite.
Once every thing was put in to place Kate took sheets, duvet cover, towels, new clothes and other items to large laundry mat which was across the road to her apartment building. Kate use four of the washing machines and dryers to do her washing.
While she waiting for them to go though. Kate sat down and read about the HMAS Darwin as well doing other studies while there. When her laundry was finish she return back to her apartment where she made her bed and put things away before leaving to go into town for late lunch and more shopping.
The day Kate arrived on the wharf in front of the frigate, she was nervous and happy at the same time. She saw two officers talking when she walk up to them. They turn when they saw Kate who in her white uniform carrying her sea bag as well another bag. When she stop she saluted the two men
"commander Jackson I'm midshipmen McGregor sir"
"mid midshipmen McGregor Your earlier"
"Yes sir, I wanted to get settle in before starting my duties sir"
"Very well. Midshipmen McGregor this is lieutenant Mike Flynn, he temporary assign for two patrols"
"sir" Kate said to mike
"Midshipmen" they look into each others eyes then brake contact when commander spoke again.
"Boxer care to show midshipmen McGregor to her cabin"
"Yes sir" the guy said
"thank you sir" they saluted each other once more before Kate follow boxer up and onto the ship.
Mike follow Kate every movement. The commander notice the look on mike face. When mike turn to the commander to see him smiling "she to young for you"
"sir" Mike said confuse
"she is I've read her profile, she a rule sticker unlike you" Mike smile
"Well sir at least I get the job done"
"Yes you do"
"what in midshipmen profile sir"
"She top student at the academy" Mike raise his eye brows
"Really sir"
"Yes that is why she here, now back to these supplies" commander raise his clip board again to check things over.
After Kate was shown her cabin she got change and put her things away before leaving to find out what her duties are from commander Jackson.
Four hours later HMAS Darwin left port and headed out to sea. Kate was on the bridge watching and learning.
Mike walk over to her "Midshipmen"
she turn to mike "Sir"
"Let me show you what is what on here"
"i know what is what sir" Mike raise his eye brows
"Really, ok then what is this" he point to one of the panels.
Kate step ford and gave mike her answer with more details which cause mike to raise his eye brows while the commander and lieutenant commander listen with a smirk on there faces.
Mike Ask Kate number of questions about the HMAS Darwin which she was able to answer the correctly. Every one on the bridge watch as Kate argue with mike about one of her answers.
"Lieutenant Flynn, midshipmen McGregor"
"sir" they said at the same time as they turn to the commander
"In all the years I've been in the navy I've never seen two officers argue over a question and it answer. Lieutenant, midshipmen McGregor is right" Mike look shock then he turn to Kate
"I'm sorry you were right"
"It ok sir"
"Good now I want both of you go and get some rest you both are on morning watch and please no more arguing"
"Yes sir" they both said as they walk off the bridge.
"We know that might mike never back down from any arrangement sir"
"i know that X, from what I've been told about midshipmen McGregor, she doesn't back down either in fact she corrected tubby and snowy three times"
"Your joking sir, we know what Tubby is like"
"I know I spoke to him yesterday about midshipmen McGregor. From what he told me about her, she a real fire cracker and she knows her stuff" XO grin
"i gather that when might mike tested her on her knowledge of this ship" Commander grin
"True the way she going she would reach lieutenant in two years"
"sounds like it alright sir"
It was just before four in the morning when Mike and Kate showed up on the bridge at the same time for there shift
"morning sir"
"Morning midshipmen, here I brought you a brew" he pass her a big coffee mug
"thank you sir" Kate said with a small smile.
as she took a sip of it while watching mike walk over to where two tired sailors are and talk to them before they walk off the bridge saying there good night to mike and Kate. Mike walk over and sat in the cabin chair while Kate walk over and sat down where the radar is.
"Did you sleep ok" mike asked Kate
"Yes thank you, you sir"
"Yes. So what made you join the navy" Kate turn to mike seeing him looking at her
"number of reasons" Mike raise his eye brows as he sip his coffee
"My father and grand father were in the royal British navy"
"Really so you were born in England"
"Yes sir, what made you join up sir" Mike smile
"Same thing"
"Really is your dad still in the navy"
"Retired rear admiral"
"I suppose he happy that your join up sir" mike smile
"Yes he is, what about your parents?" Mike saw the sad look on Kate face and there was some thing else. He didn't want to ask since they only known each other for a few hours.
"My parents are divorce, my mother follow a rich opal miner to Australia, she brought me with her. The guy... Eric Smith wine and dine mum while in England then when we arrived here they got married before he took us to where he live... he lied to mum, to me, he wasn't a rich opal miner, he work in the opal mines. It was horrible where we live."
"I've seen photos of opal mines and living conditions"
"We were there for over a year when Eric was killed when part of the mine collapsed on top of him. He didn't have life insurance, we had no money, nothing" Tears were falling down her face. Kate wipe them away.
"What happen after Eric died"
"We have to leave. We move to another town where mum got work then she started bring guys home at night. I keep out of sight and quiet. When I was twelve I got a job so I could buy my own clothes, school frees, uniforms, things like that right up till I finish high school and join the navy" Mike thought about what Kate said
"Your an only child"
"yes sir, what about you sir" mike smile
"five sisters, two older, three younger"
"Brothers?"
"none. My dad want me to settle down and get married, I remember him telling me that when he was my age he was already married with four kids and another on the way" Kate smile
"sounds like he want you to produce grand sons for him" Mike laugh
"Yes to keep the Flynn name line going"
"Ah. Well sir I'm sure that there is some one out there for you" Mike look into Kate eyes
"I know there is some one special for me" Mike said smiling at Kate.
they look out side and check to see every thing going ok while they talk some more till captain of the ship make his present known to them both since he heard them talking and laughing. The commander smile knowing that he did the right thing getting mike and Kate together for the morning watch.
Over the next month both captain and XO saw how mike and Kate get on well with each other. They talk more about the navy and what there goals are in the navy.
When they had boarding other boats, both captain and XO watch how both mike and Kate work as a team on each of the boarding and how that watch each others backs. And at night he could hear and them in the officer mess talking about the boarding or boardings while doing there paper work.
When they return back to Sydney the crew got a week off which they were all looking ford to. Mike and Kate left the ship separate times looking ford to there down time.
When Kate got her mail she was looking through it as she walk up to her apartment. When she walk into her apartment and the door was close and lock. Kate saw a letter from the navy so she walk down to her bedroom putting her bag and other mail on the bed then she open it and pulled out the letter.
It was to navy officer ball and it said that the men wear there uniforms and women wear a evening gown. When Kate saw the date it was in three days time. Kate got up from her bed and went and had a long hot shower then she sorted out her sea bag before taking her other mail into the kitchen then she look through her other mail before leaving to go and do some shopping.
On Saturday night Kate showed up at the hotel where the ball was being held in a taxi. After she paid for the fair she carefully got out and close the door. She walk towards the doors and inside the hotel. She look around for a minute till she saw Mike looking at her.
Mike was talking to couple of mates when he some one caught the corner of his eye so he turn to see who it was. He look at the women till she turn and look at him. Mike was shock when he saw it was Kate
"Excuse me guys" mike said then he walk towards Kate he look her over.
She was wearing green full length sleeveless, low scope neckline dress that flows down to A line skirt. She was carrying green wrap that around her arms and purse. Kate got her hair curly and was pin back by two silver clips. When mike was close to Kate he stop in front of her looking her over more closely
"wow, you look amazing. I almost didn't recognised you" Kate blush
"thank you sir, you don't look to bad your self."
"I notice you came alone"
"Yes sir, you?"
"Same here so how about I'll be you date for tonight"
"sir you know the rules"
"Well it navy ball and I'm only on Darwin for one more patrol."
"your right sir and thank you" Mike smile at Kate then he put his elbow out to her
"shall we I hope you can dance"
"Yes sir I can" Kate said as she put her hand around his elbow then they follow other officers and there dates down to the big ball room.
When they walk into the ball room there was a lot of people there. Commander Jackson was talking to an admiral when he smile when he saw mike and Kate walk through the door arm in arm. The admiral turn around to see what the commander was looking at
"do you know them commander"
"Yes sir lieutenant Mike Flynn and midshipmen Kate McGregor"
"that midshipmen McGregor"
"Yes sir, how do you know her sir"
"I was at her graduation couple months ago, I heard that she posted on Darwin"
"yes sir"
"How did she do"
"Better than any other midshipmen that serve under me sir. She got two able seamen tooth brush duties after they play a joke of couple women seamen that went wrong. From what what I've heard she one hell of a task master"
"Didn't you stop her for reprimanding the two able seamen"
"no sir cause I would of given them the same tooth brush duties sir"
"When are you due to leave for your next patrol?" Admiral asked
"Monday morning sir"
"Keep me up to date about midshipmen McGregor"
"Yes sir" they turn to see mike picking up two champagne glasses from a waiter who was walking pass them and pass one to Kate.
Mike and Kate talk as they walk around the room slowly drinking there champagne till the reach the tables. They look around for there names plates when they saw where they are. They were next to each other so they sat down and interduce them selves to others who were at the round table.
Then they notice others couples were doing the same. Over the next few hours, mike and Kate talk while enjoying there dinner as well talking to others at there table. After dinner people started getting up and walking over to the dance floor. Mike turn to Kate.
"Kate care for a dance" Kate smile
"love to... Mike" They stood up and walk over to the dance floor.
Mike got his hand on Kate back as they walk to the dance floor. When they got there they turn to each other and move there hands and arms where they meant to go then they started dancing around the room with soft music playing for every one.
"Your a good dancer Kate"
"thank you mike, your not bad your self"
"Years of practice" Kate smile which mike did in return.
They talk quietly and whisper in each others ears with out realizing that they been watch by a number of people in the room. Especially the ones who knows Mike. After number of dances, Kate was starting to feel tiered after a busy day and long nigh.
The song that was playing was coming to an end. Kate and mike look at each other "You look tiered"
"I am, I'll head on home after this dance"
"want me to take you home" Kate smile
"I'll be fine, I'll call for a taxi"
"ok"
When the song ended, Mike and Kate walk back over to there table where Kate pick up her purse and Wrap then they walk out of the rooms together and headed to the entrance of the hotel and out side just as a taxi showed up to drop a person off.
"Thanks for the evening mike, I enjoyed my self" Kate said as she turn to him
"I enjoyed my self to Kate. See you on Monday morning"
"Yes you will see me early, night mike"
"night Kate"
mike open the back door for Kate and help her into the taxi then he close the door while smiling. Then he watch the taxi pulled away just as another taxi showed up to drop some one off. He got in and headed home him self.
On Monday morning Mike saw Kate walking out of her cabin, they smile at each other "morning sir" Kate said
"Morning midshipmen" They walk pass each other heading opposite directions.
Kate went to do her jobs while mike did his. Few hours later HMAS Darwin left port and headed out to sea for six weeks. During the six week they attended number of may days as well had number of drill practices in that time.
The captain and XO have seen mike and Kate together either on the back of the ship talking or in the officers mess having meals together, doing paper work or talking about the practice drills that was done during the day.
Kate gave mike some input and ideas which he agree to. When they return back to Sydney the crew got a week off and it was last time mike would be on the ship since the normal lieutenant would be returning back since he broke his leg two weeks before Kate was assign on Darwin. When the ship was dock every one finish doing what they need to do before leaving for there shore leave.
When Kate walk off Darwin Mike was there waiting for her since he was on the wharf for a minute. "Midshipmen"
"Sir, returning back to your shore posting"
"Yeah, I hate it" Kate smile
"You rather be out there where the action is"
"Yes, but I got to do what the navy tells me to do"
"and go where they tell you to go"
"True, so how about drinks tomorrow night" Kate smile
"I would like that sir"
"when we are on shore leave it mike"
"Yes sir where and when" Mike pulled out a small card and pass it to her.
She look at it and turn it over to see his address on the back, she look up at him "I'll cook dinner" Kate look into his eyes and smile
"sure, what time"
"Six"
"that fine, I'll see you at six then"
"Great, see you then" Mike gave Kate a smile then he turn and walk away. Kate look at the card and put it in her pocket before she walk away carrying her sea bag.