Chapter 10
The next day, Nikki drove them back to the base. They were in civvies and had their military uniforms in a borrowed sport bag.
They said goodbye to Nikki promising not to wait too long before seeing or hearing each other again.
While they were waiting at the armoury desk, Dylan rubbed the back of his neck.
"Are you all right?", asked Kate.
"Let's just say, Nikki's couch should be a bit longer", he said.
"Be glad it was only for one night and it was a lot better than island sand, wasn't it", Kate replied with a smug smile.
"Something like that".
They received their guns, put them in the sport bag and headed for where a car would take them to the airport.
"Was it all a dream?", he asked after looking around to make sure no one could eavesdrop.
"No, it wasn't. Not for me, and for you?", said Kate determinedly, looking up at him and rubbing her shoulders.
He raised his eyebrows, surprised by her affirmative reaction. Honestly, he had hoped for a positive answer, but he had expected a cautious one, but not quite that.
"Oh? No, for me it wasn't a dream, but a prelude", he said, and he sensed that his answer satisfied her.
They didn't say anything further, thinking about what has been said.
"And now?", he started.
Kate took a deep breath, "Now what?", she repeated to save time.
"Is complicated the right word for it? Getting by together on a deserted island with just a few tools was a lot easier. We're playing hide and seek to protect our careers. We need to come up with a plan B, don't we? Anyway, we have to keep a low profile", she said, looking at him and rubbing her back again.
"Indeed, plan A sucks", he chuckled. "Is your personal e-mail address still the same? Then we can talk normally", he asked.
"That's something at least. Yes, it's still kmmcgregor at live dot com", she said.
"Indeed, but what does the first m stand for?"
"It's my middle name, Morag. In Gaelic, it means princess; it was my father's idea. He was a true Scot. And yours? The same?", she said, rubbing her other shoulder.
"Morag? Hmm, special. It suits you, really. And mine is still the same", he said.
"Thank you and do you have a middle name?", she asked.
"Nope. Dylan is Dylan. They had no fancy, I think".
He saw that she was rubbing her back again. "Is there something wrong? You keep rubbing your back".
"I can't think about it. My back and shoulders no longer hurt, but now they itch like mad".
"Oh yes, the classic healing process".
"Uh-hu". Kate looked around, "I feel rather out of place here given the way I'm dressed".
He looked at her in the borrowed floral dress and heeled sandals and smiled. "Let's just say you're the real princess here. They can look at you".
She smiled, "Thank you, you're kind, but in places like this, a uniform would be better, but I didn't want to put on those sweaty things again".
After a few minutes he asked, "What are your plans now? Career-wise I mean".
Kate sighed, "Another complicated thing. Wait and see?", she said, making a face, "Ridiculous, I've been waiting so long already, as if I were waiting for Godot. No, really, I'll assess my chances and see what the possibilities are", she said.
"And about transferring to another base?", he asked.
"First of all, I have to give a reason. What can I say to my commanding officers, you are a dickhead and you are a bitch? That's the reason I want to leave. They will certainly refuse it. And secondly, what about us? You here and me in Sydney, Perth or Darwin? I've got a tiny chance of getting promoted in a few months, then it's the annual round again".
"Yeah, it would be worth a try", he said.
A car pulled up and a leading seaman got out, "Lieutenant McGregor and Chief Petty Officer Mulholland I presume?", he asked.
"Yes, we are", Kate said.
"Very good ma'am, I'll take you to the airport. Your equipment will follow", the man said as he took their bags and put them in the boot of the car.
It was a small plane full of navy and army personnel, which made any personal discussion impossible.
"Do you have your house keys?", he asked her.
"Luckily I always have them in my pocket", she said.
"Just like me, if that hadn't been the case, you could always have slept in my guest room", he said.
"Only the guest room?", she asked, frowning, then noticed his wink and looked back forward, making a face.
They said nothing more, apart for a few general remarks, taking into account the other militaries around them.
Two and a half hours later they landed in Cairns and a car took them to the base to drop off their guns at the armoury. Meanwhile Kate had received a message from Mike saying that the Hammersley would be back the next day.
"Fortunately, the Hammersley will be back tomorrow. I don't want to face Mike now because then he'll want to know the whole story and I don't feel like to do it", she said.
"I understand and what are you going to do at home first?", he asked.
"Have a hot bath, relax, listen to music and take it easy for the rest of the day", she said, then she realised where they were.
"Come on, let's get out of here. I don't want to bump into Knocker in that dress and those heels, she'd certainly make remarks", Kate added nervously.
They headed for the car park, but she suddenly stopped, "Fuck! My car keys are still aboard".
He grumbled something, "Yeah, mine too".
She sighed, "Jeez! There's almost nothing good about being stuck on a desert island".
"Almost", he repeated, grinning.
"Yeah, almost", she added, smiling.
"Okay, taxi. We'll stop at your place first", she said and they headed for the main gate.
The next day, they boarded the Hammersley separately so as not to arouse suspicions.
When Dylan boarded, he noticed Kate's petite figure. She was dressed in her daily white uniform but he had put on his DPNU.
"Good morning ma'am, did you have a good night's sleep?", he greeted her.
She looked at him, "Ah Dutchy! Yes, thank you, and you?", she asked, but he could see a difference in her eyes.
"Yeah, me too. I went for a swim yesterday afternoon. Ah, here they are", he said, pointing the grey silhouette that was coming towards them.
As soon as the gangway had been lowered, they boarded and headed for the bridge to make their report.
Mike was the first to notice them, "Ah X, Dutchy! It's good to see you again. How are you?", he asked.
"We're fine sir. And how did it go here?", she answered.
"The operation for the Feds went well. We stopped a smuggling vessel", he said.
"Interesting", she said.
"Look, we've been ordered to assist the Feds directly. It would have taken us too long to come and pick you up", he said.
Kate nodded, "Yes, of course, I understand".
You didn't dare to say no to your son's mother, did you?
"What are our orders now?".
"Well, you have to make your report of the observation task. I know there was nothing to observe, but your actions have to be noted down in a report. And we'll be sailing again over two days", he said.
"Okay, well, I'll go and unpack, then", she said, pointing to the direction of her cabin.
They went downstairs, Kate to her cabin and Dutchy to the galley where Bomber was making an inventory of the remaining supplies.
"Hey Bomb", he greeted her.
She turned around and smiled broadly at him, "Hey Dutchy! You're back!".
"Yeah, thank you Bomb, for the delicious steak and wine", he said.
"Oh yes! Did it fetch anything back?", she asked eagerly.
He held up his big hands, "Who knows Bomb, who knows" and turned around to head for his cabin.
"Ooh you naughty!", she replied.
To be continued