CH 52
Back at NAVCOM the staff there were keeping an eye on where Hammersley is cause of the situation. They notice Hammersley turn off it course so they keep and eye on the ship till Nav notice it stop. She she keep an eye on it for twenty minutes when she notice it was moving slow so she went to get mike who was in his office.
"sir" mike turn to Nav
"Nav"
"some thing wrong with Hammersley sir" mike stood up and walk out to the ball pen and over to the screen is.
He saw where Hammersley is "How long have they been like that for"
"Twenty minutes"
"You said they change course"
"Yes fifteen degrees"
"Why would captain change course and waste fuel like that" Mike said
"sir if you were on Hammersley would you change course like that"
"no... but Kate would" his eye lit up
"Nav bring me closer to where Hammersley is" she walk over to a computer and did some typing then it show where Hammersley is
"Ok point out where Hammersley was twenty minutes ago" mike said.
The other staff was wondering what was going on. They knew it has some thing to do with Hammersley. When Nikki pointed to where Hammersley was. Mike begin to smile
"Bring up currents directions"
"of course" Nikki said smiling then she did what mike asked then every one could see which way Hammersley was going
"How long before course changes" Nikki did some typing
"Five and half hours. With the current speed they are doing, they would be, about here" Nikki circle an area south of where Hammersley is.
"Closer to Cairns"
"Yes sir. They did attend a may day which taken some of the fuel then there wouldn't be enough to return back to Cairns" Nikki said smiling
"Keep an eye on them Nav"
"Yes sir" mike turn around and walk back to his office while Nikki return back to what she was doing.
Five and half hours later Charge started the engines then they turn to head towards cairns thanks to Kate idea which work.
"X, I did some calculation, we still be short" Kate turn to charge
"By how much"
"Couple of miles"
"HRIBS tanks are full right"
"Yes they both are" then he smile
"I get it, but what about tide change" Kate walk over to the computer and did some typing then she turn to charge
"In coming tide"
"that is great, what we could do is stop the engines five minutes before running out of fuel and tow our selves in till we close to port then we could start the engines up so we cause get to next to port"
"good idea Charge" Kate said smiling.
She got her phone out of her pocket and send a text to mike then she put her phone back in her pocket while smiling.
Early the next morning just as the sun started to rise both HRIBS were in the sea towing Hammersley back to Cairns. Bomber couldn't cook any breakfast since they ran out of gas so all she could do up was sandwiches and chop up fruit for every one.
When Hammersley was slowly coming into Cairns. Kate use the PA system "Now here this X specking, you all been invited around to mike and my place for Christmas lunch today. Mike invited your families around today since we didn't know when we would be back in port. A new roster has done and on the board, ones who on shift when we dock your welcome around when your shift is over. Mike making sure that the dock workers take care of the the water, gas, fuel every thing that Hammersley needed taken care of and yes food and drinks for the ones who on duty. So you all got time to go home and have a hot shower before showing up for lunch, and merry Christmas to you all, that is all"
When Hammersley was close to the docks, the workers watch what was happening. They saw the two HRIBS return back to there spots on the ship while the crew pull the ropes back on board before the engines start up. They watch as well got ready when Hammersley move closer to the wharf then the engines shut down and the crew got the ropes set up and throwing to the workers on the wharf and the gang way put it is spot. When every thing was done The crew walk off Hammersley just as the sun rises.
When Kate arrived home she walk quietly into the bathroom with out waking mike up and went to enjoy a long hot shower till she turn around when the door open.
"Kate"
"Morning Mike" he walk over and open the shower door and kiss Kate
"you do need a shower" Kate laugh
"Well what did you expect"
"Your right" he close the door and walk over to the toilet to releave him self
"I'll be looking forward to reading your report Kate"
"I know you are"
Kate return back to what she was doing till she turn around when Mike open the shower door and walk in closing it behind him. Then he step forward to kiss her.
"Want me to wash your back for you" Mike asked
"Why not" Kate pass him her shower puff that covered in shower gel bubbles.
Then she turn around and move her hair to one side so he could wash her back while they talk. They ended up making love while in the shower before getting out and drying down before they both got dress since there kids would be up soon for breakfast.
When Pete arrived home he walk in to his and Nikki bedroom to see her sleeping peacefully. So he put his bag down in his normal spot then he was over to her side of the bed watch her sleep. He bend over and kiss her. Then he saw her smile as she in hale through her nose then she screw her face up which made him smile. Then she open her eyes and blink couple of times then smile
"Hey" she said half a sleep
"You look so peacefully when your sleeping"
"Really"
"Yes"
"Pete what that body odor smell" she asked as she sat up in bed
"that would be me"
"Why... oh I remember not much water"
"Yeah, I'm going to have a shower"
"You do that then come to bed" Pete smile
"I could come to bed now" he said giving her a cheeky grin
"No, shower" she pointed to the bathroom
"now"
"Yes ma'am" he saluted her before turning around and walk towards the bathroom and closing the door behind him.
Nikki smile as she got out of bed and waited for a few minutes. When she heard the shower running she waited for a minute before opening the door and walking in closing it behind her
"I knew you would come in" Pete said smiling at her from the shower
"I needed to pee"
"Ah ha" he turn around to put his head under the shower head.
So Nikki use the loo then wash her hands. Then she took her nightwear off then open the shower door and walk in closing it behind her. Pete turn around and wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her till it became passionate till Nikki pulled back
"Nikki"
"You need to clean up first before any thing else happens" Pete smile
"Care to help me" Nikki smile
"Why not"
Nikki help Pete by washing his back as he washes his front while telling Nikki about what happen and she tells him about what happen at NAVCOM in the past few days. While in there they made love before getting out and drying down. They they clean up the the bathroom before getting into bed where they kiss and made love once more before falling asleep with Nikki snuggling up to Pete side as they sleep.
Hour later there bedroom door open "Nikki some one..." she stop when she saw who in bed with Nikki sleeping. She look down at Vicky who in her arms
"come on sweetie lets go and warm up a bottle for you" she close the door quietly then walk down and into the kitchen when she saw her husband cooking
"You better put more bacon and eggs on dear"
"Why that where Nikki"
"sleeping" she said smiling as she open the fridge door to get baby bottle out
"Sleeping isn't she breast feeding Vicky"
"May be later"
"Nichole"
"Pete home"
"so" He raised his eye brows at her
"Andrew you know what it was like with us when you return from a patrol"
she said smiling as she got a pot out and filled it with water with one hand and put it on the stove then put the bottle in before turning the element on while Andrew thought about what Nichole said
"Oh you mean" Nichole grin
"Yes"
"Well I'm not surprise since they haven't had much time together in the past few months"
"True"
"Well we will let them sleep in"
"Good idea after what Nikki told us about what happen in the past few days they deserve it"
"the and other couples"
"True" She look down at Vicky who was looking at the bacon and eggs while dribbling on her bib.
"Like father like daughter" Nichole said smiling. Andrew turn to see what Nichole was talking about and saw Vicky looking at the bacon and eggs. He smile
"that is so true, but you can't have any of it for a while sweetie" Vicky look up at him with her blue eyes and grin at him.
Couple hours later Nikki and Pete walk into the kitchen "Merry Christmas" Pete said
"Dad" Nick said getting out of his chair and running over to give Pete a hug
"your home"
"sure am mate, been a good boy"
"Yes sir" he said smiling
"that great, hi Nichole, Andrew" Pete step forward to give them a hug
"Pete it good to see you again" Nichole said
"Same here" then they heard noises so they turn to the source.
Pete walk over and pick Vicky up since she was in her high chair. He gave her a hug and kiss on her forehead.
"Miss you" he said looking at her, which made her smile back at him.
Then he pull her back in his arms as he sat down and he held her as her feet was on his legs going up and down while Nikki went and got them there late breakfast.
"Nikki told us about what happen Pete" Andrew said
"She told me. It a shame crew can't have few more day shore leave after what happen"
"When are you leaving for your next patrol" Andrew said
"tomorrow"
"Tomorrow, that soon"
"Yeah, crew not happy about the crash sail the other day but we haven't got much of shore leave cause of what happen"
"Well at lest you spending a few hours with the family"
"Better than nothing" Pete said just as Nikki walk over with Pete breakfast and coffee.
"Thanks" He said the put put Vicky back in her high chair so he could have his breakfast while talking to the family.
It was just before eleven o'clock when crew members started showing up at mike and Kate place carrying food and drinks with them. They saw a large marque up in the back yard with table and chairs every where. There was Christmas music playing.
"sir" Mike turn around and smile
"charge, please you can make it"
"Thank you sir. Commander Mike Flynn this is Jamie my son"
"sir"
"Jamie" they shook hands
"and Amy my daughter"
"nice to meet you at last command. Dad tells us stories about you"
"Really" Mike look at Charge
"all good sir" charge said grinning.
"I bet they are well welcome"
"thank you sir, where can we put these" Jamie asked showing Mike bags and plates of food and drinks
"Drink go in the bins over there Charge. And those plate of food can go into the kitchen come on I'll show you the way"
Jamie and Amy follow Mike into the house "sir this house it huge" Amy said
"Yes it is" When they walk into the kitchen
"wow, this kitchen it huge" Jamie said
"thanks" they walk over to one of the twin fridges where mike open one of the twin doors
"Here put them in here" Jamie and Amy put the cold dishes into the fridge then close the door when they heard
"mike I hope you not eating any bandy balls" Mike, Jamie and Amy turn around
"no Kate, lieutenant Kate McGregor, this is Amy and Jamie, Charge kids. Kate is my wife"
"We know sir" Jamie asked then step ford to shake Kate hand
"nice to meet you ma'am"
"You to Jamie you do look like your father"
"thanks" then Amy step forward and shook Kate hand
"Dad said you good at giving out tooth brushes" Kate laugh
"Yes I do. But only when crew member deserve punishment, where Charge"
"He sorting out the drinks" Mike asked
"ok" they walk out side while talking Mike was telling Jamie and Amy a funny story about change which made them laugh.
Charge look at them "Sir did you have to tell them that one"
"Why not" Then others started showing up with there families.
Mike was shock but happy that Mac showed up with the boys, her grand parents and Dutchy. Mike walk over to Mac grand parents.
"I'm please you decided to come today"
"I had words with them Mike. Making them relies a few things"
"I'm please you all can make it"
"Thank you for inviting us Mike" Mac grand mother said
"your welcome. Dutchy good to see you again" they shook hands
"Like wise sir"
"Come on you know the crew" They walk over to where the crew and there families are.
The crew welcome Dutchy back. There was over two hundred at Mike and Kate place for Christmas day. Stewart, Ryan and Patrick also showed up which made mike and Mac happy.
When it was lunchtime and every one got there lunch they sat around at one of the tables that was set up.