CH 17
Paul look around the room then walk over to the commodore. "Commodore" he turn to Paul
"Yes"
"I'm retired vice admiral Paul Flynn" they shook hands
"Nice to meet you sir"
"This is lieutenant McGregor father retired rear admiral Edward McGregor of the British royal navy"
"Commodore" they shook hands
"sir it a pleasure to have you here, You must be prod of your daughter" Ed smile
"Yes I am. I'm prod of what she done for her self"
"that good to see parents prod of there children"
"Yes it is" Ed said
"commodore we saw what happen to lieutenant McGregor. And I'm not impress with those men harassing lieutenant McGregor and what that midshipmen did to her I wasn't happy that he sexual harassed her in front of his mates and other witnesses" Paul said angry
"You saw what happen sir"
"Yes and if you want our report about it we can have it done by tomorrow"
"I would appreciate if you can sir. Who else saw what happen"
"My wife, my son lieutenant commander Flynn, and those four over there" Paul gestured with his head.
The commodore turn to see four civilians talking together then he turn back to Paul "I'll talk to them now. Thank you for coming forward" they shook hands
"See you tomorrow" Paul said
then the commodore walk over to the four who was talking among them selves while Paul, Ed and Alice walk out of the hall.
When mike and Kate walk into her room and the door close. Mike pulled Kate into his arms "It ok Kate"
"no it not, those men, it there word against mine" Kate said as she pulled back
"Kate your dad, my parents and I heard and saw what happen. Look why don't you get change and I'll use your lap top to write up what I heard and saw"
"Ok Mike"
mike kiss Kate then he sat down and open her lap top and turn it on while Kate got change. When Kate was change she look over to see Mike typing away on her lap top so she sat on her bed and waited till he finish.
When he was ten minutes later. Kate stood up and step forward to open a draw and got a pen drive out and put it in it slot "you can put your report on the pen drive"
"thanks Kate" Kate wrap her arms around mike neck as he cut and paste the report onto the pen drive. When done he remove the pen drive then he shut down the computer. Kate turn around and pick up her over night bag and her purse bag just as mike stood up and turn to her
"Let's get out of here"
"ok" they walk out of Kate room and out of the building.
They walk down to the commodore office while there Mike use one of the computers and printers to print out his report about what happen. When done The commodore walking towards his office when he saw Kate and a lieutenant commander.
"Lieutenant" She turn to him and stood at a tension and saluted which he did in return then he notice the man with her did the same
"commodore James this is my husband lieutenant commander Mike Flynn"
"Nice to meet you sir" mike said as they shook hands
"you to lieutenant commander. Lieutenant why are you here"
"Commodore I'm here to give you my report about what happen to lieutenant McGregor and midshipmen curry" mike said passing the commodore his two page report about what happen
"you saw what happen lieutenant commander"
"and heard sir"
"This might be a problem"
"Why that sir" mike said
"Midshipmen curry would stay that you wrote the report cause your my husband and you would say any thing to protect me" Kate said
"she right, but I will read it"
"thank you sir" mike said
"Enjoy your evening lieutenant"
"Yes sir" they saluted once more before mike and Kate walk away talking.
The commodore walk into his office and sat down. He read mike report about what happen. What he read he wasn't impress with Midshipmen curry and his friends. But all he can do is wait to read other reports about what happen before contacting fleet command about it.
Mike and Kate meet up with Ed, Paul and Alice. They got into two cars and left to head to the hotel since they were having dinner at the restaurant there. Mike took Kate up to his room where Kate could put her bag on the chair then mike step forward pulling Kate into his arms for a hug and kiss.
"Are you ok Kate you were quiet on the way here"
"Yeah I will be"
"Thinking about what happen this afternoon"
"Yes"
"don't worry about it. Tonight we celebrating you winning the sward award, that reminds me" He got his phone out and dial a number and put it on speaker phone
"Hello"
"hi sis"
"Mike is every thing ok"
"Yes it is Jo, Kate won the sward award"
"no way" she said in shock
"I'm not joking and she won number of other awards"
"Well tell her congratulation"
"thanks Jo" Kate said
"Kate I'm happy for you you must be please it over"
"Yes and now I'll be transferred to Watson bay next year for a years training"
"Hey that great you will be close to mum and dad" Kate smile
"Yes I will be"
"dose dad know that you won the sward award"
"He was there, so was Alice and my dad"
"Really that great"
"Yes it is. Can you call the others if mum hasn't already to give them the good news"
"sure oh have you been promoted Kate"
"Yes I'm lieutenant, admiral of the fleet promoted me him self after I won the sward award"
"wow that must be a great honor"
"Yes it was" Kate said smiling
"We got to go sis meeting Ed, mum and dad down at the bar for drinks before dinner"
"Ok Mike, you look after Kate" Mike smile
"Oh don't you worry about that"
"Mike behave your self" Kate said
"Why"
"Or there will be no sex tonight"
"you wouldn't" Jo laugh
"I'll leave you to sort out your love life" then she hung up then mike did.
"Kate you won't do that to me" "Kate smile
"I might let you suffer for a short while" she kiss him
"shall we go"
"ok" they walk out of the room talking.
They meet up with Paul, Alice and Ed at the bar. Once mike and Kate got there drinks they all walk over to a table where they sat down and talk for an hour and a half before walking over to the restaurant for dinner. Couple hours later Mike and Kate return back to there room for the night. Kate slowly tease mike for over an hour before they made passionate love which they miss before falling asleep in each other arms.
The next morning Mike took Kate back to the academy so she finish packing her things so mike could take them back to the hotel. When Mike left Kate went and wrote up her report about what happen the day before and handed it in to the commodore Secretary before she went for a swim before having a late lunch.
Since she leaving at fourteen hundred hours to return back to the hotel since she was going to the hair dressers and beauty salon to get her hair, hands, nails and make up done before the graduation ball that night.
Later that afternoon the commodore was in his office reading all the reports about what happen in the mess hall the day before. He first read what the five midshipmen and two lieutenants reports first then he read Kate, Paul, Alice, Ed and mikes once again.
With the reports so far it showed two different stories. Then he read four other witnesses reports about what happen thanks to his Secretary typing out what they heard and saw then they sign it. They all said the same thing what Kate, Alice, Paul Mike and Ed said in there's. Then he notice there was one more report, he look at who it was from
"admiral of the fleet" the commodore sat up and read what it said.
When he finish reading it there was a note attach to it so he read what it said. Then he pick up the phone and called the divisional officer and spoke to him for a minute then hung up.
Fifteen minutes later all seven lieutenants and midshipmen were in his office standing at attention. "You all know why your here"
"Yes sir" they all said.
"I've read your reports about what happen... lieutenant McGregor please step out side"
"Yes sir" Kate turn and walk out of the office closing the door behind her.
She waited out side when she and the Secretary heard the commodore yelling at the six men in his office few minutes later. Kate and the Secretary look at the door then turn away from the door.
Few minutes later the door open and the six men walk out and pass Kate not saying a thing. "Lieutenant, come into my office"
Kate turn to the commodore then walk in to his office. He close the door and walk around and sat down in his chair. He look up at Kate "There going to be disciplining action against those men who walk out of my office"
"sir" He pick up some papers in his left hand
"For giving false reports about what happen yesterday about the sexual assault against you in front of witnesses Cause of what they done they would get an honorary discharge"
"Yes sir"
"What they said and done is total unacceptable in the navy. As for you lieutenant, there no action for what you said or did. But from what I've read I'm impress you keep your cool in a difficult situation"
"thank you sir"
"what totally shocking was one report from a witness, he not impress with the six men but is impress with the way you handle your self"
"Which report did that come from sir if you don't mind me asking" commodore smile
"Admiral of the fleet, he heard and saw what happen" Kate was shock
"Admiral of the fleet sir"
"Yes and he left a note for me saying he wish that we have more women navy officers like you. The way you handle not only what happen yesterday but in the past four years"
"sir, what do you mean"
"i know about what been going on talking behind your back, your nick name. The reports from your instructors, the way the others treat you. How did you cope with out braking down"
"Family sir, they help me out a lot with there phone calls and e-mails. That what keep me going"
"It good to know that you got family to talk to. I'll let you know the out come of the trial of the six officers"
"Yes sir...sir won't I be there to testified about what happen"
"Your report on what happen will be enough"
"Yes sir"
"you can leave now and if I don't see you again lieutenant good luck at Watson bay and future in the navy" He stood up and saluted Kate which she did in return
"thank you sir"
Kate turn and walk out the door and walk down to the car park since her taxi just arrived to pick her up to take her to the hotel. When she arrived she walk up to Mike room and knock on the door. Mike open it few seconds later, letting Kate in. She saw Paul, Alice and Ed there also.
"Kate are you ok" Ed asked when mike close the door.
"I'm fine dad, commodore James called me in to his office"
"is it to do what happen yesterday" Mike asked
"Yes"
Kate told them about what happen in the commodore office including about the admiral of the fleet report.
"Admiral of the fleet heard and saw what happen" Mike said
"Yes, he not happy about what happen"
"i bet he not Kate"
"At least with the six men out of the navy if it happens then they can't going around abusing any other female officers or junior sailors"
"that true" Ed said
"I'll go and get change I got an appointment in twenty minutes" Kate said.
She walk into the bedroom closing the door behind her so she could get change in to civilian clothes. When change she walk out of bedroom and kiss mike
"See you when I return mike"
"ok Kate" Kate walk out the door and walk towards the elevators.
That night Mike waited in the bedroom since Kate was in the bedroom getting change since mike already had his shower and shave when Kate return. Kate didn't want him to see her till it time.
So Kate made sure he had his back to her the whole time. Kate manage to get into the bathroom so she could get her self partly ready while mike got dress then waited for her in the living room. When Kate was in the bedroom she got dress.
She wore earring mike got her for Christmas and diamond anchor pendant in white gold with a twisted rope chain. It was a graduation gift from her father. When Kate was ready she open the bedroom door and walk out. Mike turn around
"wow Kate you look amazing"
Kate was wearing navy blue strapless sweet heart neckline. Draped bodice. Chiffon floor length long dress and a wrap that wrap around her arms and purse which is the same color. Kate got her hair stye and put up. Mike look Kate over as he step forward to kiss her.
"Kate you surprise me every time" Kate smile
"thanks mike" then there was a knock on the door so mike went to see who it was.
When he open the door he saw his parents, Ed and a man carrying a case in his hands. "Come on in" they walk in and stop when they saw what Kate was wearing
"Kate you look beautiful" Alice said
"I agree" Ed said
"Same here you do look amazing Kate" Paul said
"thanks, is that why your here"
"yes"
"Who are you sir" mike asked the guy
"He here to take your and Kate photograph" Ed said smiling
"Dad you didn't" Kate said
"Yes I did"
"shall we" the photographer said as he took his equipment out and got it set up in minutes.
The guy took number of photos of Mike and Kate as they pose different angles. When done fifteen minutes later they guy pack his things up and left after shaking there hands.
"We better go" mike said
They all walk out the door and mike made sure it was lock before they walk towards the elevator. Few minutes later Ed, Paul and Alice watch Mike and Kate get into waiting limo and left to head to the academy to the graduation ball.
When they arrived at the academy. And they got out of the limo. Kate put her arm in Mikes as they walk to where the mess hall is. "Kate are you ok" Mike asked
"Yeah, I'm fine"
"Are you worried about what others might say about you"
"Yes and I know you will tell me don't worry about it"
"that true, let's just enjoy our selves"
"I know you will make sure"
"to right" Mike said smiling.
When they walk into the mess hall it look different with balloons, streamers every where. Even tables were set up for dinner. There was others every where. There was waiters walking around carrying trays of finger food and drinks.
Mike pick up two champagne glasses and pass one to Kate as a waiter walk over to them to offer them a drink before moving on. Mike and Kate walk around the hall talking to some of the ones from the air force and army. They congratulated Kate on winning the sward award and ask her about her navy nick name.
Mike watch how Kate react to the question. "they call me that cause I work and study hard to get to where I am to day. The one who started calling me princess perfect they... might be getting dishonesty discharge from the navy"
"Why is that can you tell us" one man asked who in air force uniform
"Sexual harassment against a female officer in front of two retired navy officers, wife and son. But they also said and done things not knowing that the admiral of the fleet heard and saw what happen" the ones who Kate and mike were talking to was shock
"Wow what did the admiral of the fleet do?"
"Wrote his report and gave it to commodore James... He not impress by it"
"I bet he not"
They talk for a few more minutes before Mike and Kate walk away. "Kate I'm prod of the way you handle your self" Kate smile
"thanks mike" then her face change. Mike turn to see who Kate looking at.
Then he turn to Kate. "don't worry about them"
"I know I hope they don't cause any problems tonight Mike"
"We keep away from them"
they walk away not knowing that the air force officer who they were talking to just couple minutes early over heard what mike and Kate said. He look at the six who walk in with there dates. So he knew who they were so he walk over and talk to couple of his mates who in the air force telling them about the six men since they also heard what Kate said and now they know who the six men are.
When it was dinner time an hour later people started walking over to where the food is and starting to help them selves then they walk over to three long tables and sat down since there one for the army, one for the navy and one for the air force.
When Kate and mike got there dinner they walk over to the navy table and sat down then others start to join them the ones who was next to them and across from there didn't say a thing to them which was fine by Kate and mike.
Every one was talking and enjoying there dinner not knowing that at the air force and army table there was talk going around about what happen the day before between Kate and the six men. When word got around, the ones who was there for the training heard about Kate nick name and knew she won all the awards every year but they heard the rumors that she was sleeping with the instructor so she could get the rewards.
But now they know the truth thanks to Mike telling the ones he and Kate spoke to when they ask about the rumors that it wasn't true and that Kate work and study hard.
"did any of you seen Kate in the library or out side studying under a tree on a lovely day or working out in the gym or swimming or at the firing range for practice. If you seen her there then you know she work and study that is how she got the high marks, point and that is how she received her rewards and prizes cause of the long hours of hard works she done" Mike said to them.
They knew that mike is right, they have seen her at those places doing what mike said she done. Now they know that the rumors about Kate sleeping with her instructors are false.
After dinner every one still talk for a while till music started then people started getting up to dance on the dance floor. Mike and Kate also got up to dance on the dance floor. After couple of songs Kate went to the women bathroom. When she was on the toilet she heard some of the women walk in while talking.
"Hey you know Kate McGregor the one who won the sward award" one women asked
"Yes we were there yesterday, what about her"
"do you know how she got that award"
"How" another women said
"My boy friend said she sleeping with the instructors you know favors in return of high marks." the women said
"Stop right there. What you said is a load of crap. We know how lieutenant McGregor received her awards and it wasn't from hard sex, it was from hard work. My fiancee has seen her at the firing range practicing, in the gym where he and his mates work out every day and some days in the library studying hard. That is how she received all those rewards it was from hard studying, not hard sex. Any way from what I've heard your boy friend might be getting a dishonor discharge for sexual assault on a female officer"
"Your lying" the women said yelling
"It true and your boy friend and his mates trying to cover it up say that the women lieutenant is lying but there was witnesses saw what happen two of them are retied admirals"
"your lying my boy friend wouldn't do that"
"He did a the moment his career is on the line and from what I've heard there a ninety percent change he and his mates will get kick out of the navy. Come on ladies lets return back to our men" Kate heard foot steps and waited.
Then she heard other foot steps walking out of the room. Kate flush the toilet then open the door and walk over to the hand basin to wash her hands then she walk out of the bathroom and look around for Mike. She saw him talking to one of her instructors so she walk over to them.
"Kate are you ok" mike ask as he put his arm around her waist
"I'm fine"
"Kate I know you to well"
"i heard group of women talking about me and rumors"
"Kate you shouldn't listen to gossip" mike said
"i know but what shocking was four of the women defended me. Some how they heard about the rumors and what you said. They and there dates relies you were telling the truth and the women who started the gossip didn't believe them"
"don't worry about it at least they know now the truth"
"i know"
"don't worry lieutenant I also heard the rumors, I'm not impress my self about them but then tonight I over heard what was being said about the hours of hard work you done in the past four years lieutenant. They now know truth behind all that hard work you have done. You should be prod of your self"
"I am sir" Kate said smiling.
Then two instructors and there wives walk over and interduce them selves to Mike and Kate. One instructor is from the army and the other from the air force. They congratulated Kate on winning the sward award and they told Kate and mike about the rumors that they heard and what men and women who there for there training told them tonight about what mike said which made them relies that Mike is right.
Kate was releave that the two instructors didn't believe the rumors since they and other instructors has seen Kate with head in a book, training or working out. Mike and Kate talk to them for a few minutes then mike and Kate walk over to the dance floor when a slow song started so they wrap there arms around each other while looking into each other eyes while smiling.
They kiss every now and then as well rub noses. Towards the end of the song Kate head was on Mike chest listening to his heart beat while her eyes were close. Number of people watch them as they dance slowly while looking at each other. When the song finish. Kate open her eyes and move her head to look at mike
"Want a drink Kate"
"Sounds good" They walk over to the drink bar with Kate holding onto his elbow.
When they got there Mike ask for a beer and white wine. When the bar tender got the drinks he pass them to mike. he turn and pass the wine to Kate as they walk away from the bar.
"Mike what time is the limo returning for us"
"midnight, why"
"Just asking"
"Kate" Mike as with his eye brows raise which made Kate smile
"Yes Mike"
"Why did you ask about the limo for"
"Cause seeing you in your uniform that what" Kate said smiling
"what about it"
"Well if you parents and my father didn't show up..." she look at him with a smirk on her face which made mike smile
"Well wait till we get back to the hotel Kate"
"Oh I can't hardly wait" she said giggling while sipping her wine.
They talk for a minute then walk over to talk to one of Kate instructors whom she corrected the officer twice in the past six months and his wife. They talk for five minutes before others walk over to talk to them.