Chapter 18
Flashback
"Hehe, oh by the way, how is it going with your boyfriend?", Maxine asked.
Kate shrugged and smiled, "Dylan told me he liked me".
"Is that all? And what did you say?", Maxine asked in disbelief.
"I told him that I liked him".
Maxine sighed, "Jeez, that's what I call a great progress. Well done! If you continue this way, then we'll never have a wedding"
Kate made a face. "What else can I say? He probably doesn't dare say it because we're on the same ship and I'm his superior".
"In that case, I think you should tell him, right?"
"Hmm, if you say so. I can always have a try", Kate said faintly.
Maxine patted her upper arm, "Right! Now, I'm going home and you know what to do for the Navy and for yourself", she said before heading for the front door. In front of the door, she turned around to face Kate.
"Oh before I forget. I'm sending your buffer Petty Officer Andrew Harper to a specialist training for missile warfare. His qualifications made him a candidate for that. Then he'll be posted to one of the frigates. That means let Pete Tomasewski stay aboard", she said.
"I see. Okay, Pete is perfect. He fits in well with the crew", Kate said.
And I know someone who will be on cloud nine.
"Right, I'm off now", Maxine said.
"Yeah, see you later", Kate said as she closed the door. She wandered around her house, thinking about everything Maxine had said.
It's real, I'm still the captain of the Hammersley! Oh my God! Dylan was right. He told me so. Maxine is also probably right about my relationship. Maybe Dylan doesn't dare tell me more because of the fraternisation rules. So, I have to make the first move, like she said.
The next morning, Kate sat down in her garden and dialled Dylan's number.
"Hey Kate? Are we crash sailed?", she heard on the other end of the line.
She laughed, "No silly. Just because I'm calling you doesn't mean you have to think we crash sailed. Am I synonymous with crash sailing?", she asked in a teasing tone.
"Must I honestly answer that question?", he replied questioningly.
"Mulholland, I don't know if I want to hear that", she said smiling.
"Dylan, I'm calling to thank you for what you did for me the day before yesterday. I made a mess of myself and you saved me again. Thank you."
"With pleasure Kate, that's what friends are for. Have you ever heard from Navcom?", he replied.
"Yes, Max came last night and she told me I was still commanding the Hammersley. It's a great relief and now I'm relaxing in my garden. What about you?", she said.
"I'm working on my MG. Replacing old cabling, old parts with new ones, cleaning, if you know what I mean, huh. As far as I know, it's a job that will take a few weeks, but it's not bad. It's a hobby", he said.
"Wonderful, don't take too long. I want that ride", she said with a laugh.
"Absolutely!"
They ended the call and she struck her forehead several times.
Damn! Why didn't you ask him to come over to dinner or have a bite to eat in town? You won't advance an inch like that.
She tapped the palm of her other hand with her smartphone.
What? How?
Yes! He's too busy with his car, like a little boy with a new toy. He won't think about food and he'll order a pizza in the last resort. I'm going to surprise him by cooking something for him at his place. Yes, that's it. A strong plan!
She stood up and went back to sit down at the kitchen table. She grabbed a piece of paper and a ballpoint and started planning a menu.
That same morning, Nikki entered Navcom and went straight to Maxine's office. She knocked at the door and waited.
"Come in!"
Maxine looked up and was surprised, "Lieutenant Caetano. What's going on? I thought you were on sick leave".
"Ma'am, I would like to ask you something", Nikki said, standing to attention.
"Nikki, at ease. Take a seat", Maxine offered.
"Ma'am, my wound healed well and I would like to return to work. Honestly, I'm going crazy between my four walls and I've already seen every nook and cranny of Cairns. The doctor said that it looks good", she said.
"Nikki, if you absolutely want to go back to the boat, then I need a written confirmation from a doctor and your CO must also agree. Are you aware of that?", Maxine said.
"But you just said you agreed?", Nikki asked.
"Your doctor and your CO must also agree. You'll have to find good arguments to convince Lieutenant-Commander McGregor", Maxine replied.
"No problem ma'am. I'll ask her. Thank you ma'am", Nikki said, standing up.
"Good luck!", smirked Maxine.
Nikki was leaving Navcom when she called Kate. She quickly got a response.
"McGregor speaking"
"Hey Kat, it's me, Nik. Can we talk?", she asked.
"I'm actually in my car to go shopping".
"A quick coffee in the centre maybe? Bernie's Coffee Shop?", Nikki asked.
"Yeah, okay. Sounds serious apparently. I'll make a detour. See you there in ten minutes", Kate said.
"Okay".
Nikki was sitting at a high table stirring her espresso when Kate entered.
"Hi Kat", Nikki greeted her.
"Hey Nik, you're in uniform. What's going on?", Kate asked, sitting down on the opposite stool.
"A cappuccino please", she told the waitress.
"Kat, I want to go back to the boat. No, I need to go back to. The four walls that surround me drive me nuts. When I'm alone for too long, memories of Josh come back to haunt me", she said.
"Thank you", Kate replied to the waitress who had just brought her cappuccino.
"Nik, the most important is your wound. I don't want it get any worse because you'll be back on active duty. How is it? Honestly, huh!", Kate asked.
Nikki looked at Kate, considering what she was going to say.
"Don't pay me a lip service Nik!"
She shook her head, "No, I'll never do that to you Kate. You're my friend. It's still a little painful, but my shoulder is supple again. Knocker said everything was fine with her. I just need the agreement of the doctor and my CO i.e. you. Did I manage to convince you?", she asked with puppy eyes.
"You're going to make it damn hard for me, yes. If your shoulder get worse, then it'll be my fault. Huh", she sighed and drummed her fingers on the table.
"Okay Nik, but on one condition. Light duties!", Kate said.
Nikki smiled at her like a little girl who had just found out that Father Christmas had brought her a new doll. "Oh thank you Kat! Can I offer you something? Do you know what? Come to mine, then we can have a ladies night. Food, wine, gossip, chocolates and a good movie", Nikki said enthused.
"And?", Nikki asked eagerly.
"Aah, uh… no, I've other plans", Kate stammered.
"Our navigator?", Nikki asked with a cheeky grin.
"Hey, hey, I didn't say that!", Kate replied raising both hands.
"Ah Kat! You're doing it again. Denying! But, you just betrayed yourself. So what's wrong with dating him?"
Kate rolled her eyes. "Because he hasn't really asked me to go out with him. "
She looked at her fingers embarrassed. "And neither do I. The farthest we've ever gone is saying we like each other", Kate said ill-at-ease.
Nikki sighed and rolled her eyes, "Yes, so you still have work to do! And hurry up, or someone else will take him from you."
"I don't think so."
"Don't be so sure."
"You're not helping, but of one thing I'm sure. It won't be you, because Pete's back aboard."
"Pardon?", Nikki asked baffled, not believing her ears.
"Pete's going to be the buffer because Harpie is to undergo a specialised missile training. Does that bother you?", Kate asked, teasing her friend.
"No. No, no. Not at all. He's an experienced sailor aboard. He's loved by the crew", Nikki said nodding.
"Especially by one person in particular", Kate said deadpan.
"Kat, what do you mean by that?", Nikki replied indignantly.
Kate didn't answer, but just flashed her a smug smile to which Nikki replied by making a face.
"Right! If you don't mind, I still have to buy things for tonight", Kate said, picking up her cup.
She emptied her cappuccino and Nikki sniggered.
"What?"
"Take a napkin. If you walk out of here with that white foam moustache, you'll be back on YouTube in less time than it takes to say."
"Damn!", she muttered grabbing a napkin from the canister.
"Back, back did you say?", Kate asked.
"Don't come out of the blue, Mud Princess", Nikki replied grinning.
"Sod off!", Kate grumbled.
"And regarding that ladies night I'll take a rain check on that", Kate said with a wink before leaving the coffee shop.
To be continued