Chapter 1

It was early in the morning as Kate approached Navcom. The Hammersley crew had been on shore leave for the past week, and Kate was there to see Commander White and pick up their orders for their next patrol. As she approached the entrance, she had a good look up at the sky – not a cloud in sight, the sun shining and a brilliant blue sky. She was pulled from her thoughts by a familiar voice from behind.

"Since when are Lieutenant Commander's allowed to daydream?" Mike asked smiling, happy to see Kate.

"Since they are early for their meetings." Kate replied with a smile of her own. "I was hoping I might see you again before I leave." she said as she ran a hand down his arm, coming to rest holding his hand as they stood opposite each other, remembering the good-bye they had at home earlier in the morning. Her smile disappeared and was replaced by a more confused look. "What are you doing out here, I thought you had an early start?"

"I had to duck home to pick up a couple of things." Mike said stroking Kate's hand. "I was hoping I might have seen you again there." By the eye contact he was holding with Kate, he was hoping to do more than see her.

Kate suddenly became very aware that they were in a public place, and standing very close. She let go of his hand and took a small step backwards to try and put some space between them, and regain her composure. "Looks like the weather report last night was wrong, they were predicting storms but it's a clear sky." Kate was kicking herself; she couldn't quite believe that she had resorted to talking about the weather to get her mind on track.

"The storm is out there..." Mike said noticing Kate backing off, "Satellite pictures from this morning have it staying off shore though."

"We'd better head in." Kate said motioning in the direction of Navcom. Mike nodded with a hint of a smile and as they started walking into Navcom he placed his hand on her back using his thumb to softly stroke her. As they reached the door, she stopped and turned to glare at him.

Mike knew she hated this. Despite the fraternization rules not applying anymore, they always felt like they were breaking some sort of rule when they were in uniform at Navcom. He took his hand off her back and smiled at her, "I need to go this way. I might see you in Maxine's office before you leave." He leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek before walking off in the opposite direction.

As Kate approached Commander White's office, she noticed two people in there – one male, one female in their mid-30's, dressed quite casually for the settings of Navcom. Maxine noticed Kate and waved her inside.

"Kate, meet Detectives Brown and Smith from the AFP. Detectives, this is Lieutenant Commander McGregor, the CO of Hammersley." Kate shook hands with each of the detectives, who introduced themselves as Andrew and Natalie.

"Sorry to blindside you with this Kate, but the AFP gained some information overnight that will allow them to smash a major drug importation operation, but they need the Navy's assistance." Maxine looked back in the direction of the door as Mike walked though. "Great you're back. Kate, time is of the essence, so we will need to get going now and brief you on Hammersley." Maxine got up from her chair and started walking toward the door, followed by the two AFP agents.

"Sorry Ma'am, what do you mean on Hammersley?" Kate asked completely confused.

"Ah...I thought Mike would have told you." Maxine said as they both looked at Mike.

"I apologise Ma'am, I thought you would be doing the briefing." Mike said looking directly at his superior, refusing to look at Kate.

"Right," Maxine said, not missing a beat, "Commander Flynn and I will be sailing with you. However," she raised a hand as she continued effectively cutting Kate off from speaking, "You are still the CO. If everything goes to plan we will be coming back today with some major drug smugglers on board. Mike and I will just be there to take the credit."

"You wouldn't be planning to take the credit for the AFP's work would you?" Detective Brown asked.

"The thought never crossed my mind detective." Maxine said smiling before turning her attention back to Kate. "Briefly, the detectives and your XO will be heading out on a civilian vessel undercover and take possession of a large shipment of drugs."

"My XO?" Kate questioned trying to catch on to what was happening.

"Yes, the intel was only gathered at the last minute and the AFP don't have anyone available who can navigate a boat so they need to borrow one of us. Hammersley will be shadowing them, and once they take possession of the drugs, we...you, will take down the traffickers. The AFP and your XO will head back to shore where the detectives will follow the rest of the drug chain into Australia." Maxine then looked at Mike as she picked up her bag from behind the desk. "Are you right to go?"

"Bag's downstairs." Mike said, still refusing to look at Kate.

"Ah, um," Kate started to stutter. She had been completely taken by surprise and wasn't sure which to be worried about more – what Commander White was going to think about her as a CO when she saw her in action, or what she was going to think about the rest of the crew...including 2Dads.

"Kate we need to head out straight away, so you won't have any time to brief your crew. Your XO will be briefed by the AFP and we will do a complete briefing with you and your senior sailors while we sail." Maxine said as she started to move toward the door, walking out with both the detectives, leaving Kate and Mike trailing behind them.

"You could have warned me." Kate said looking at Mike who had managed to look at her for the first time. While she wasn't all that happy about the current situation, she wasn't totally disappointed that she would be able to spend another day with Mike on Hammersley.

"What can I say, you distracted me." Mike said smiling. "Come on, it won't be that bad. One quick trip, in and out. It will be just like old times."

"That's exactly what I'm afraid of." Kate said trying to hide her smile, but not doing a very good job. "I'm going to go ahead and say that you should just do the opposite of whatever it is you are thinking."

"Ok, but I should warn you I was thinking that I should act professional, give you the space you need to do your job, and only get involved if Maxine orders me to. If you want me to do the opposite, then I guess that can be arranged." Mike said completely seriously.

"Just...don't make this harder it needs to be." Kate said pleading with Mike. "The crew are going to have a field day."

"Don't worry. I'll behave, it will be fine." Mike said smiling as they caught up with Maxine and made their way to where Hammersley was docked.

To Be Continued