Chapter Ten
Ray remained in the infirmary at his 'post' during the trip to Havana, Gunzou coming in after the first few hours with some coffee and watching him take the cup, sipping it. "Ray, you need some sleep." The older man said, blinking at the look he was given. "My place is here," was the reply before he looked up. "What happened after the battle Admiral Chihaya? All I remember is just...being angry."
Gunzou sat down. "First off, cut the 'Admiral' bit-it's Gunzou, all right?" he smiled at him as he said it. "Second, you went into a protective state."
It was a little disconcerting for the young man to be having a conversation with someone that had helped stop a war-that was a hero to many for his actions and he looked down for a moment before speaking again. "So I was...protecting Selena?"
"Yes, and not only that, you literally told off Taggart and the Fleet of Fog was listening to you over the radio system. You are her Second, Ray, and they know it-they followed your wishes because of this and because they know it would have been what she wanted as well."
"I just remember seeing her start to fall back as if it were slow motion and knew I had to get to her." He admitted. "I don't know how she managed to get back to her feet-especially with her leg damaged from the hit she took. Then I heard Taggart's words and...well, I felt something listening to my wishes-that being to keep him the hell away from her."
"I'm guessing the something that was listening to you was the ship," Gunzou said after sipping his coffee. "The Seleene allowed you control because my daughter was unconscious and unable to defend herself. Look, I'm not going to pretend to understand the...bond you two have with this ship, but I can tell that she is aware." He got up as the door opened, Kongou coming in. "Go on Gunzou," she said. "I'll sit with him-he most likely has questions about the Fog that I might be able to answer."
She watched him leave before sitting down, watching the young man flinch. "What is wrong?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Selena told me not to anger you," came the reply. "And I worry my questions might do just that."
The Model began laughing. "While I do have a bit of a temper," she eyed him as he snorted. "You have things you need to know. Besides, I used to be a flagship myself-maybe not as high-ranking as Selena is now mind you, but I have knowledge that can help you."
"I want to know more about her actually," Ray said, eyeing the unmoving form on the bed. "She doesn't act as an Admiral's daughter would-no offense, but she seems more...Fog in her way of thinking-to me at least."
"She was brought up with what we knew," was the reply, Kongou smiling at old memories. "Plus she was around me quite often and so picked up a few of my mannerisms. Selena is strong and self-reliant...one would have to be to put up with Hyuuga and her craziness."
He chuckled at that one. "You know, she painted a similar picture when she spoke of her." He admitted. "But she also spoke with a lot of love in her voice about her family."
The pair continued talking for the rest of the day, Ray finally getting some sleep after Kongou promised she would remain to keep an eye on her niece. Everyone was glad to reach Havana several days later, a crew standing by to take Selena to the hospital. The young man watched as the doctors got her set up in a comfortable room before sitting down in a chair, finding himself dozing off. Selena woke later that day, groaning slightly as she opened her eyes and looked around at the soft pastel walls before propping herself up on the pillows. There was movement next to her and she turned her head weakly, feeling dizzy as she saw Ray smiling at her. "Welcome back, Fleet Admiral," he said, watching her cover her eyes. "Please don't start Ray," she grumbled. "Not right now anyways."
He got up, filling a glass with cold water and helped her drink, smiling at her. "You just need to rest up all right-you probably won't be going too far with your leg as damaged as it was."
"What of the Seleene?" she asked.
"Being repaired, rearmed and upgraded," was the reply. "Also your family is safe here-I made sure of it."
Selena sat up after finishing the water, trying to swing her legs out from under the covers as Ray shook his head, setting the glass down and holding onto her shoulders. "Selena, you're not strong enough." He said, sighing in exasperation as she pushed her way up and stood weakly, holding onto him. "I've most likely been in bed several days Ray." She shot back, watching as he got a wheelchair and helped her into it, wheeling her over onto the balcony attached to her room, her face lighting up at the view of the harbor, looking at the ships below.
~*Elsewhere*~
Down in the harbor, a black ship with red markings came in, the Mental Model on board watching the activity as they docked, seeing a large ship nearby. A worker hurried over. "Welcome back, Sir," she said. "What can we do for you today?"
The male Model nodded to his ship. "I need a rearm and repair. Also, could you tell me what ship that is in dry-dock?"
The worker glanced over. "That is the Seleene Sir-the new Fleet Admiral's ship. She and her Model took down Musashi but were badly damaged during the battle. I saw her brought in-her Second was following close behind as she was taken to the hospital."
He rubbed his chin. "Must be some Model if she took out Musashi," he mused before heading off, his silver hair billowing as he moved, brushing off his black suit and straightening his jacket. "I will wait and check into things for now-but I shall make her acquaintance before I leave.
(A.N.: Just a bit of filler; Ray's struggling a bit to understand what he can do now along with his new rank-he was running mostly on instinct when dealing with Taggart in the previous chapter. Also, who's our mysterious silver-haired Model in black? Find out in the next chapter!)