CH 28
The next day Nikki was walking back to the ball pen after being to the loo when the elevator doors open and a lieutenant step out and look around
"may I help you lieutenant"
"Yes I'm looking for commander Marshal, I'm lieutenant fisher"
"Lieutenant Tomaszewski" they shook hands
"Hi, am I on the right floor" Nikki smile
"yes you are. Now I remember your name your the new navigate for Hammersley"
"Yes how do you know that"
"I use to be on the old Hammersley till it decommission last year, got married and now baby two on the way"
"Congratulation"
"thanks, come on I'll show you to commander Marshal office and welcome to NAVCOM"
"Thank you" they walk towards the ball pen
"you might know my husband he use to be on Hammersley he was temporary boson on there Dylan Mulholland"
"Dutchy yes I remember him, what a minute" they stop in the door way and Nikki turn to her
"your Mackenzie fisher... flipper"
"Yes that me"
"I'm Nav"
"Your Nav but Dylan said that the navigator last name...begins with C"
"Caetano, that my maiden name"
"You married to the boson on Hammersley"
"Pete, crew call him buffer, Yes I am. It a long story"
"ok" then they walk over to where Steve is, they could see he talking to some one cause he got his head set on.
"Have you found a house yet"
"No all the family navy housing are full"
"Ok" Nikki walk over to her desk where she got her phone out of her pocket and look up a phone number then she wrote it down on a piece of paper. Then she walk back over to where flipper is and pass it to her
"Call that number, mention my name and that your in the navy. The guy can get you a house strait away"
"Really"
"Yep"
"thanks" then she saw Steve wave her over
"Excuse me" Nikki said then she walk over to where Steve is
"Sir"
"There been a hijack a temp on Hammersley, XO, petty officer Blake and petty officer Tomaszewski have been held captive. Mike said that your husband been knock unconscious" Nikki look shock
"what happen"
"They attended to a may day call, a ship hit a reef. They got all the people of the boat before it move off the reef and sank. While down in aster, one of the women was having breathing problem, an Asama attack. Mike sent the three crew members down there. Once they were in the room they were attack by men who wanted to go to new Guinea. Mike trying his best to get them out of there. He try changing course so they could go to Darwin but lean that one of the men got a GPS and knew that they were going the wrong way. The guy threaten to kill your husband if mike doesn't turn the ship around"
"it sounds like mercenaries sir"
"mike agree with you on that one with the way they took the three crew member by surprise"
"so what happening"
"I got to call fleet command about this"
"Yes sir, thanks for telling me"
"Who the lieutenant" Nav turn to the lieutenant and wave her over.
When she walk over to them "commander Marshal, lieutenant Fisher, Hammersley new Navigator"
"sir" flipper said as she saluted Steve which he did in return
"Welcome to NAVCOM"
"Thank you sir" they shook hands.
"Lieutenant Tomaszewski can you help lieutenant fisher here with accommodations"
"Yes sir"
"thank you, if you will excuse me I got phone calls to make" then he turn and walk into his office.
Flipper follow Nikki over to a free desk "Here why don't you make the phone call now and if there any questions, don't hesitate to ask"
"thanks" Flipper said.
Nikki return back to her desk while Flipper made couple of calls. When she finish making the calls she walk over to where Nikki is who stood up after passing a file to a midshipmen then turn around to flipper
"Every thing ok"
"Yes thanks, the guy I spoke to he said that there are three homes left and he said he can met me at the houses since they next door to each other"
"that great, have you got any transport"
"i came by taxi"
"Well your in luck I just finish work for the day so how about I take you to the homes"
"thank you"
"Have you got the address"
"Yes" she show Nikki piece of paper. Nikki smile when she recognised the address
"I know those houses"
"you do"
"Yeah, I live across the road from them"
"Really" Flipper said in shock
"Yep come on" Nikki went and got her hat and bag then she and Flipper left while talking.
They went and got flipper three bags since she arrived strait from the air port then went down to the under ground car park where Nikki car is. When they got in after flipper put her bags in the boot of the car. Nikki drove home. Nikki tells Flipper around the neighbor hood and who living in what house.
"Your brother and sister in law living next door"
"Yes they look after nick while I was out on patrol and when I do shift work or double shifts. They even look after other couples kids if one out on patrol and the other doing shift work"
"that a good idea"
"It is"
When Nikki turn down her drive way she use the remote to open the garage door then she drives in and turn off the motor and put the hand brake on. They got out and Nav pick up her bag then they walk out of the garage when Nikki closes the door then they walk down the drive way and across the road just as the guy showed up.
He showed Flipper and Nikki through the three houses till flipper choose five bedroom, three bathroom house. She fill out the paper work and fill out a check for the bond and pass it to the guy who then give her bond papers with the amount for the bond on it and keys to the house then he left.
"how do you feel now"
"Great, now I can give my grand parents a call and e-mail Dylan"
"they would be happy"
"Yes they would be"
they walk back across the road and back into the garage where flipper got her bags out of Nikki car since Nikki offer her to stay till her family and furniture arrives. When they walk in side the house Flipper was shock by the size of it. Nikki show her the guest bedroom where she could get change while Nikki went and got change her self then she went and got the bedding and took it into the guest bedroom when Flipper walk out of it
"Here let me help"
"thanks" Nikki said
They talk about there families while making the bed. Then they walk into the kitchen where Nikki made them a drink. Then they walk into the living room where they talk some more. Nikki tells Flipper about Pete and Nick. When she finish telling flipper she was shock
"wow talk about a navy love story" Nikki laugh
"I know, but we are happy"
"what are the crew like"
"Ah the crew, they like one big crazy family"
then she stood up and walk over to where built in china cabinet is and open draw then she got photo album out and then close the draw then she return back to the couch where she sat down next to flipper and open the photo album
"This is the old Hammersley" it was photo of the old Hammersley.
Nikki flip through the pages showing Flipper who is who even telling her a story or two behind it which made her laugh
"Who he" flipper asked point to one photo.
"That is lieutenant commander mighty mike Flynn, he captain of Hammersley"
"What is he like as a captain"
"Unpredictable some days. He cares for his crew, there well being, but some days do some thing wrong you wont just have him to deal with you will have XO" Nikki pointed to a photo of Kate
"Why that"
"she a hard task master and when she and captain argue, he calls it deep throat debates and most of the time she right. When ever they argue every one clears the room unless it on the bridge and your on shift. Most of the arguments is on the back of the ship. But most of all they work as a team"
"that good to know"
"and they married"
"I know Dylan told me"
"ok"
"Who that there" she pointed to one photo.
Nikki smile "that is my husband Pete. He a great guy to work with, he will watch your back and protect you on any boardings. He got a crazy sense of humor" Nikki turn the page and showed Flipper who burst out laughing.
"I see what you mean sounds like the Hammersley crew are a great crew"
"the best I ever work with" Nikki showed her more photos of the crew and what crazy out fits some were wearing.
Hour later they heard a door open the close "mum I'm home"
"In the lounge Nick" Nikki call out.
Then nick walk into the lounge carrying his bag he walk over and give Nikki a hug "How was school"
"Great"
"home work"
"Reading and spelling"
"ok, Nick this is Mackenzie, she like to be called Mac or flipper. Mac this is Nick"
"hello Nick"
"Hello are you in the navy like my mum and dad"
"Yes I am"
"Really cool are you working with mum"
"no, I've just been transferred to here"
"If you not working with mum then you must be on a boat" Nikki smile
"Yes I am"
"nick" he turn to Nikki"
"she assign to Hammersley" nick face lit up
"Hammersley, that is so cool dose she know that Dad on there"
"Yes she dose" Nick turn to flipper
"You going to like the crew, and dad can be very protective"
"Your mum told me"
"Ok but don't got any where near uncle Andy after he has bake beans" Nikki laugh as she turn to flipper
"that charge"
"Ah thanks for the tip"
"mum" she turn to nick
"Yes"
"I'm hungry"
"you always hungry" she pull him into a hug.
"Go on you know where the fruit is"
"thanks mum" then he stood up and ran out the door.
"Like father like son" Nikki said smiling as she turn to Flipper
"Why that"
"Pete a big eater but he dose exercise"
"Nick the same is he?"
"Yes he loves playing sports"
"that good thing"
"Yes it is"
"I'll go and call my grand parents and the movers to give them the address, they would be home by now" Flipper said as she stood up
"sure"
Flipper walk back into her room while Nikki put the photo album away then went to see what nick doing as well get dinner on. That night they just finish dinner when the house phone rings so nick got up from the table and ran to the kitchen to get it
"hello... who did you want to talk to, who are you... ok"
"mum it NAVCOM" he said as he ran over to her passing her the phone
"hello lieutenant Tomaszewski... I'll hold...Pete are you ok... that is good news... yes how... My hero" Nikki said laughing
"Is dad ok" Nick asked
"Yes he is" Nikki said when she cover the mouth piece with her hand then move it away
"Yes we are fine... got some good news... I'm met Hammersley new Navigator... lieutenant Mackenzie fisher,...flipper... yes it a female... very funny... Pete remember Dutchy... yes well it his wife..." Nikki laugh
"Oh don't you worry I already told her about the crew... yes she knows... yes she dose... I know... well X got plenty of tooth brushes left..." Nikki laugh
"True... what, when" Nikki sat up in shock
"I bet the captain would be please to have him off the boat... ok see you when you get here... when... ok see you when you return... love you to" then they hung up.
"Is dad ok"
"Yes he is fine. He tackle one of the guys while swain tackle the other one knocking them out while the leader was in another part of the ship with the X changing course"
"i thought he was knock unconscious" flipper said
"He was, he said when he came to he remember what happen so he pretend to be still knock out but every now and then he open his eyes to see where the men, Swain and X was. He waited till the time was right then attack them both since they had his back to him. Then swain help out. They got the others out of astral then waited for X and the leader to return, then they did Swain grab X arm and pull her one way and buffer attack from another direction."
"how his head" Nikki grin
"He got a hard head. He said he got a bit of head ache but taken some thing for it and swain and bomber going to keep an eye on him over night"
"that is good news" nick said
"Yes it is"
"when is dad coming home"
"tomorrow afternoon only for the night"
"cool" nick said grinning
The next day it was Nikki day off so she show Flipper around Cairns as well did some shopping. Later that afternoon Nikki drop Flipper off at her new home since the movers would be there soon and so will her grand parents and kids.
While Nikki drove to the wharf where she saw Hammersley just dock. So she waited for Pete. When she did see him he was walking off Hammersley and over to her
"Hey" Nikki said as they both hug and kiss
"Hey"
"how the head" Nikki ask as she ran her hands over his head when she felt a lump at the back of it
"sore, swain contacted the hospital they waiting for me so they could do a cat scan"
"I'll take you" Pete smile
"I knew you would say that" he kiss her once more.
Then they got into the car "Dose captain know that I'm here"
"We saw you arrive"
"Ok" Nikki drove Pete to the hospital where they walk in together.
Nikki stay with Pete when he spoke to the doctor and had the ultra sound done. While waiting to hear back from the doctor Pete held Nikki in his arms since he was lying on the bed with on end tilted and she was sitting on the side.
"How little one"
"good, but morning sickness has started"
"Has it, what about cravings?" Nikki smile
"milk bottle and milk shake lollies"
"milk bottle and milk shake lollies?" He raise his eye brows
"Yes" she pulled out out of her bag to show him the milk shake lolly before she rip the packet in half and remove the lolly from the paper then put the lolly in her mouth then she open the other packet of milk bottles and did the same.
"so you got cravings for them?"
"Yes and milk shakes"
"what flavor milk shakes?"
"any thing so long as it a milk shake" Pete grin as he put his arm around her shoulder as she snuggled up to his side.
"Well then we will have to make sure we got milk shake ingredients at home" Nikki laugh
"We have, I got fifteen litters of ice cream, six litters of milk, milk shake syrup flavors at home" Pete turn to her in shock
"your joking"
"nope, plus I got to get more milk bottles and milk shake lollies before going home"
"Ok"
he kiss the side of her head when the doctor walk in to give them good news that the cat scan came back clear which they were please about. When they left the hospital Nikki drove to a store on the way back to port.
When she shop out side the store, Pete turn to her "milk shake"
"Thought so" Pete said.
"Want one"
"no thanks" Nikki got out of the car after she grab her purse and walk into the store.
When she walk out few minutes later she was drinking some of it till she got in the car "Mmm this feels so good"
"I bet it dose" Pete said grinning.
Nikki put her purse back in her bag then she put the milk shake in it holder before putting her seat belt on then started the car then she drove towards Navy base.