CH 7

The next day they went fishing not far off Cairns. Mike and Kate enjoy there day with the kids. Week later Kate went into town to get a few things while Mike was staying at home with the kids.

While in town she went to NAVCOM to pick up any mail since all there mail goes there. When she went to pick up the mail from a able seamen who was at the counter she look through it till she was one that got her name on it and navy insignia on the envelope so she open it up and pull the letter out and read what it said. Kate was shock by it so she walk towards the elevators.

Couple minutes later Kate walk into the ball pen even through she wasn't wearing her uniform. She walk over and knock on to commander Marshal door.

He look up when he heard the knock "lieutenant come in"

"thank you sir, sorry I didn't show up in uniform. But I got my reason sir"

"Which is what lieutenant"

"i was down stairs collecting mike and my mail when I received this sir" she pass him the envelope. He look at it and the address that on it. Then he look up at Kate

"From fleet command, why you come to me"

"I've been transferred back to Perth sir"

"what?" Steve said in shock

"Even I was shock sir, that is why I came here. I know that you and Mike been trying to get me here for years and now fleet command change there mind. I try to think that I did some thing wrong or is it because I'm married to Mike and the higher ups found out about it"

"Well this is news to me lieutenant, I'll find out if it true or not"

"Yes sir"

"where is mike" Kate smile

"He at home with the kids, it the school holidays, Paul and Alice few them down here since mike told them about what happen to me" Steve smile

"Ok, sounds like you both enjoyed spending it with them"

"Yes we miss them so much"

"I bet you do. As for this letter, let me look into it"

"Yes sir"

"Your dismiss" Kate turn and walk to the door then stop, she turn to Steve who was reading the letter

"sir" he look up

"Sir if it wasn't rear admiral Thomas who authorise the transferred then the person is still at Canberra then I'm the one who ever it is, is after sir" Steve through about what Kate said

"you might be right lieutenant. I'll check it out"

"Yes sir. I better return back home to see what my back yard looks like. when I left Mike and kids were getting all the pool games out of the garage. Last time they did they, the yard look like a war zone" Steve smile

"Sounds like Mike enjoying his shore leave"

"Yes he is the big kid and he knows it. Who ever through that mighty mike acting like a seven year old" Kate said smiling before walking out the door as she saw Steve chuckling while shaking his head before returning back to Kate letter.

When Kate arrived home she got the mail, her bag and shopping bags out of the wagon then she started walking towards the house while she could hear laughter coming from the swimming pool. She turn to see Mike with the kids which made her smile then she saw the back yard. Just as she told Steve a war zone.

She walk in side and put every thing away and mail was put the kitchen island. Then she went up stairs to get change into her swim suite and put some sun tan lotion on before returning down stairs with the lotion and towel. When she walk out side she walk over to where the large built gazebo is, she put the towel and lotion on the table then she took her jangles off before walking over to the gates are and walk through them since they were open

"Hey your back" Mike said as he wipe the hair out of his face

"Yep" then she dove in and swim over to where mike is before stopping in front of him and coming up for air as she wrap her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss

"got every thing" mike asked

"Yes, Mike we need to talk" Kate said as she move to the side of the pool and got out and sat on the edge of the pool with feet in the water. Mike walk over to her.

"what wrong"

"I received a letter from fleet command they transferred me back to Perth"

"what?" mike said in shock

"I went and saw commander Marshal strait away about it, he going to find out what going on"

"Why would fleet command transferred you back to Perth, they said you are to stay here till the decommission of Hammersley"

"some one is out to get me Mike remember what happen when I was transferred to Perth and not to here like i suppose to"

"Yeah I remember, have you told Steve that"

"Yes. Now we know who ever it is, is after me mike, but why, who"

"Leave it to fleet command"

"I will" Mike step ford between Kate legs and cup her face

"you not going to be transferred to any where else Kate ok"

"Ok" she lean ford and kiss him.

"I love you mike"

"I love you to Kate and don't you forget it"

"i won't" they kiss once more before mike pull Kate back into the pool where the spent the morning swimming and playing with there kids.

Later that afternoon kids were playing on and in there ship while mike and Kate where on the pool lounges that under the gazebo relaxing while talking about different things when Kate saw two people walking around the corner

"mike" He turn to see who it was then they both stood up and walk towards there two guests.

"Steve, admiral Thomas sir, this is a surprise"

"Mike, lieutenant, can we talk" Steve asked

"sure this way"

"I'll get us some cold drinks, kids would want a drink by now, excuse me sirs" Kate said then she turn and walk towards the house while mike walk towards the gazebo and sat down with Steve and the admiral.

"you got a lovely large home lieutenant commander"

"thank you sir, Kate design it"

"Really"

"Yes sir" they sat down in the chairs.

"Lieutenant commander how can you and your wife afford a place like this?" the admiral asked

"Kate father had it built for us as a surprise almost four years ago."

"Really it must cost a lot to keep the grounds and house maintain" Admiral asked

"Kate father paying for cleaners, lawns and gardeners. It his gift to us. Kate wasn't happy with her dad at first but they came to a agreement" mike said smiling

"Ok how can lieutenant McGregor father afford it?" mike smile

"Dad he Multi millionaire he inherit and owns a building company in England. His building business is worth over a billion pounds which is... almost six hundred million Australian dollars"

"that is a lot of money" Steve said

"It is. Steve. As you can see dad he likes to spoil the kids like he use to when when Kate was there age" mike look over to see kids having fun.

Steve and the admiral turn to see kids having fun then they turn back to Mike

"your father in laws got the kids there own ship" the admiral asked

"yes sir, it was last year Christmas gift to the four of them. Kate had words to her father about it, he smile and told her that he wanted to do it plus the gift also came from Kate grand parents"

"How often do you see the kids Mike?" Steve asked

"not often enough Steve" then Kate walk out carrying a large tray in her hands

"Mike, Nav on the phone" Kate said.

Mike stood up and walk over to her, he pick up the cell phone which was on the tray to talk to Nav while Kate walk over and put the tray on the table

"Here you go sirs"

"than you lieutenant" admiral and Steve said when Kate pass them a drink then she turn to the ship

"Kids want a drink come and get it" she called out before sitting down.

"sorry sirs"

"It ok lieutenant" Kate turn to see mike still talking on the phone

"some thing wrong" Kate said just as kids ran over to her

"what do you mean lieutenant" the admiral asked

"they way his pacing, running his hand through his hair, that tell me not good news" she pass kids there drinks

"thanks mummy" they all said as they sat down to drink there drinks.

Steve and admiral look at kids "quads lieutenant" Admiral asked

"Yes sir, this is connor, Grace, Mary and Patrick. Kids this is commander Marshal from NAVCOM and rear admiral Thomas from fleet command"

"Hello sirs" Kids said

"Hello" the admiral said smiling at them.

"Grand pa was a rear admiral sir" connor said

"Really, what is his name"

"Grand pa" Kate laugh while Steve grin

"Retired rear admiral Paul Flynn, mike father sir"

"what, Paul Flynn is your father in law"

"Yes sir, how do you know him sir?"

"We serve on Sydney together, he was captain and I was newly promoted lieutenant."

"Really sir, that is interesting"

"Yeah I should of click on to the name Flynn"

"why that sir?" Kate asked

"He was going through number of crew members and his XO's there was number of augments between them and he had them off the ship when we return back from training or patrol" Steve and Kate smile

"like father like son sir" Admiral grin

"Yes but lieutenant commander Flynn is the worse lieutenant, have you two ague over a boarding or training?" Kate laugh

"Sorry sir, and yes we have, Mike calls them deep throat debates sir"

"and your still on Hammersley"

"Yes sir"

"what your secret" Kate laugh

"beside begin the captain wife, he knows that I'm right when it came to judgment calls"

"Ah, no wounder none of the lieutenants stood a chance against him"

"that right sir" then mike walk over and sat down

"Every thing ok Mike"

"Nav worried about buffer"

"I know she is, he can take care of him self"

"i know that Kate. She worried cause she hasn't heard from him since you last spoke to him when your in hospital" Kate sat up and turn to mike with a worried look

"mike that over a week ago. Buffer always send her a text message or call her every second day. It not like him to miss his check in"

"I know Kate" then he turn to Steve

"Steve can you contact the feds to see if they heard from buffer"

"sure do you think his cover might be blown mike"

"I hope not Steve" Steve stood up and walk a few feet away while getting his phone out of his pocket to make the call. Kate reach over and put her hand on to Mike arm, he put his hand on top.

"Sir is there a reason why your here" mike asked

"Yes, after commander Marshal called me this morning about lieutenant transferred orders. I had it check out since I didn't authorize any lieutenant McGregor transferred orders. It was some one else from fleet command. I've got the investigator to check it out and find out where it came from. Commander Marshal said that you think it might be from the same person lieutenant" Admiral asked

"Yes sir"

"Well I spoke to admiral Adams about it since he was last commandeering officer for fleet command. He told me about what happen couple years ago and I've read the files and the investigation about that. And since it happen again, it looks like some one out to get you lieutenant, for what reason or who. I guest we will never know"

"so Kate not going to be transferred to Perth" Mike asked

"no" then he pulled out two letters and pass them to Kate

"Here are letters from me and chief of the navy him self. First of all you are to stay on HMAS Hammersley till it decommission. And the second letter is that when HMAS Decommission you got first choice wither to stay on the new Hammersley or transferred to some place else"

"Really sir" Kate said

"Yes lieutenant" mike and Kate look at each other, then she turn to the admiral.

"sir Mike and I talk about the new Hammersley... I would like to stay sir when the time comes"

"i under stand and I'll make sure it on file and that you get a copy"

"thank you sir"

"After old Hammersley is decommission you and some of your crew members will have to go to Watson bay for three week training since the new ship got all hi techs on it so you and crew will have to be train"

"i know sir" then Steve return

"Steve" mike asked

"Your buffer GPS location chip is still working, from what the agent told me where Buffer is now there no signal"

"So he still on the boat?"

"Yes. Call lieutenant Caetano to let her know and she hasn't heard from him in the next three days, to let me know"

"Sure thing Steve"

Kids went back to what they were doing while the adults talk more about navy stuff before Steve and the admiral left. When they were walking towards the side of the house they stop when they heard

"Admiral sir" they turn to see four kids in the boat, they were saluting them so Steve and the admiral saluted back then gave them a wave which the kids did in return then they went back to what they were doing before.

When Steve and the admiral was walking around the corner, Steve notice the admiral smiling "Are you ok sir" Steve asked

"Yes, those four kids remind me of a young kid about there age. He saluted not only the commandeering officer of fleet command but chief of the navy as well"

"Really sir, do you know the young kid name"

"Yes I do... lieutenant commander Mike Flynn" Steve was shock

"Mike saluted when he was kids age. I didn't know that sir, how did you know?"

"that when I first meet the lieutenant commander it was in nineteen seventy eight"

"Now kids did what he did at that age" Steve said

"Yes, it like history repeating it self"

"sounds like it sir"

"if those four join the navy, god help the navy if they are any thing like there father and grand father" Steve chuckled as they stop next to the car since the driver open the door for them

"Sir it would be worse" Steve said as he got in and then the admiral.

"what do you mean worse, what could be worse than have those four kids just like there father and grand father"

"sir you forgotten there mother and grand father from England"

"lieutenant McGregor"

"Yes sir, with the combo of McGregor, Flynn genes, it would be two plus times worse"

"Never through of it that way. Now that would be bloody worse if they are like there parents"

"I'll feel sorry for the crew under them" admiral laugh

"Yes it would be alright"

Two days later Nikki woke up early in the morning when she heard the shower running, she frond as she look at the clock to see it was just after five, so she got up and walk to the bathroom door and open it to see who there. She was shock to see who in her shower.

He turn around and smile "Pete"

she walk in closing the door behind her then step forward just as Pete open the door then he wrap his arms around her wait and pull her into the shower then the door close as they kiss and hug.

When they broke apart "Why didn't you call, I was so worried about you"

"Sorry Nikki, there was no signal, I'm fine now"

"i hope so" they kiss once more.

When they broke a apart Nikki turn around and open the door and step out

"Hey where you going" Nikki turn and smile

"to remove these wet clothes and I need to pee"

"don't be to long" Nikki look down Pete body then back up to him while smiling

"i won't" she close the door then she walk over to where the toilet it while Pete carry on showering

"so what happening with Gallagher"

"I'm not sure, I over heard him on his sat phone couple days ago. He got a buyer for the water"

"what have you got a name"

"No, but they planing on moving the water soon as the buyer transferred the money into Gallagher account and they meet in international waters" he heard the toilet flush

"so it could be days"

"could be I don't know but I do know that Gallagher sold the water for thirty million dollars"

"that a lot of money"

"Yes it is"

"How long are you in port for?" Nikki asked as she remove her wet night wear and put it on the floor on top of Pete dirty clothes

"Three days, why" he turn around when he heard the shower door open and Nikki walk in closing the door behind her

"good cause I got three more days shore leave my self" she wrap her arms around his neck and they kiss

"good" they kiss once more then they made love in the shower then hour later they were in Nikki bed hugging, kissing and making love again before falling asleep with Nikki snuggling up to Pete side.

Later that morning Mike and Kate were doing the breakfast dishes when Kate cell phone rings so Mike who was drying the dishes walk over to it and pick it up to see who call, and it turn out to be a text message

"Kate text from Nav"

"Can you check it, it could be about buffer"

"Ok" he open the text message to see what it said.

"Nav said. Pete ok, getting plenty of TLC, see you and captain in three days" mike read out. Kate laugh, he turn to her as he put the phone back on the table

"what so funny" he walk over to her

"Nikki getting plenty of TLC just like us this morning" she said smiling

"Ah, buffer must have been to see her"

"I guest so" mike smile at Kate

"what shall we do today since it the last day before kids leave tomorrow"

"Why don't we ask the kids"

"Why not" They spent the day going to the zoo and going to see a movie for the day.

The next day Mike and Kate help pack there kids bags before leaving since they are flying back to Sydney. At the air port Mike and Kate watch as a stewardess take the kids on board the plane. Mike and Kate watch them go up the steps on the plane, they wave to them since the kids wave to them first.

Mike put his arm around Kate shoulder as she lean against him as they watch there kids walk onto the plane. Five minutes later they left the air port to return back home to a empty quiet house.