Her eyes fluttered open, and within seconds the grandfather clock in the room rung. She rose, quickly making the bed, then preparing her daily outfit. A quick shower later and she was ready for her daily duties. A glance at the clock showed she was perfectly on time. The maid then exited her room and began down the hallway, quietly making her way towards the kitchens to prepare the Queens morning tea. As always Sheffield arrived just in time to take the freshly made tea to the Queens quarters.
With that accomplished Belfast then made her way down the hall, up the stairs, and towards the Eagle Union carrier rooms. She made her way down to one of her favorite places on the base, and gently opened the door. The carrier's room looked exactly as it always did in the mornings. The curtain shielded Enterprise from the morning light, her clothes were strewn about on the floor, and the bed sheets were all tossed around. Belfast entered the room, closing the door behind her, then slowly making her way towards the shielded window. Along the way she picked the clothes off the floor and gazed at the carrier.
The maid couldn't help but think about how practically everyone just saw her as the hero of Eagle Union, everyone but her of course. For Belfast saw much more, she saw an endearing warrior, someone who put everyone before herself, someone who pushed past her fears for the sake of duty, someone who even in the heat of battle was still stunningly beautiful. She knew she was enamored with the carrier, but for the sake of professionalism she did her best to bury her feelings. So with a shake of her head to clear her thoughts, the maid folded the discarded clothes, placed them on the desk, then pulled the curtain open.
The moment the light touched her she groaned. She rolled on her side trying to get away from the morning glow while uttering, "it's too early Belfast."
A quite giggle escaped the maid as she crossed the room towards the dresser, then while preparing a new set of clothes she responded, "afraid not Miss, it's just before seven, the same time I wake you every day."
Enterprises groaned whilst still facing the wall, "you know," she grumbled, "the wars been over for a month and the sirens have all but disappeared."
Belfast, clothes in hand, crossed the room once more. She stood at the foot of the carriers bed when she responded, "I am aware Miss, but even in times of peace an early start to the day is necessary for a healthy lifestyle."
Knowing she couldn't win, Enterprise sat up to face the maid. "So," she began, "any plans for your day, asides from waking me up at ridiculous time."
Slightly surprised as the carrier hardly ever asked the question, "well Miss, as always I intend to help out with breakfast, but asides from that I don't have anything specifically planned. Do you Miss?"
Shaking her head, the carrier responded, "when do I ever have anything to do?"
"Well if you wanted something to do, you could always join the Maid Corp, I'd be happy to train you," Belfast said with a smile. Besides a maids uniform would look stunning on you, she thought.
"I think I'm good," Enterprise hastily responded.
"Suit yourself Miss, now if you would like to change in peace, I'll go and prepare breakfast" she asked.
Finally standing up, Enterprise nodded, "on your way could you tell Hornet I need to talk to her?"
"Certainly Miss, I must ask, are you certain she's awake?"
Smiling the carrier responded, "my sisters always awake, sometimes I don't even think she sleeps."
"Well maybe I should have Sheffield or Edinburgh start taking care of her as I do you. A good sleep schedule is.."
"Part of a healthy human lifestyle," Enterprise finished. "Your becoming predictable," the carrier chided her.
"I suppose I am," the maid smiled. With that she made her way to the door stopping to ask, "may I inquire as to what you intend to talk to her about, in case she asks of course."
A small laugh came from Enterprise before she said, "in case she asks, and not because your being nosey? Well in case she asks," the carrier said flashing small air quotes, "in a few days she's returning to NY City to visit Yorktown, and I kinda wanted to go."
With a smile the maid responded, "I think that's a wonderful idea Miss." with that she made her leave, only to immediately turn and knock on the door adjacent to Enterprise's. Within seconds the door swung open, revealing the youngest Yorktown sister, who evidently was only in her undergarments. Not that she normally wore a lot more anyways.
"Morning Belfast, what errand has my sister got you on now?"
"Good morning Miss Hornet, Enterprise wishes to speak with you about visiting Miss Yorktown," the maid kindly responded.
Slightly surprised Hornet said, "so she finally wants to come and visit her, took her long enough."
"Hornet," a groggy voice said from within the carriers room, "shut up and come back to bed already, it's early and your being loud."
Shaking her head the carrier looked at the maid, "I'll go see her in a moment, first I gotta deal with sleepyhead over here," she said while pointing at Northampton who was clearly half asleep.
The clock struck ten, Belfast looked around the cafeteria with a slightly worried look on her face. In the three hours since she'd left Enterprise, the carrier had yet to make her way down to eat. After helping to clean up, she returned to the carriers room, through when she opened the door she found it exactly as she'd left it. After taking a minute to make the bed, a task Enterprise never completed or even began, the light cruiser went to Hornets room and knocked. While waiting, Belfast realized she hadn't seen Hornet or Northampton come down for breakfast either.
Receiving no response, Belfast wondered as to where the three may have gone. Enterprise not eating breakfast wasn't unheard of, but the two love birds were always down by nine. Thinking as she walked, the maid returned to the main lobby.
"Well you look rather concerned," came a rather regal and familiar voice to the left of the light cruiser.
Belfast turned on her heel to face the battleship, "Miss Wales, My apologizes, I didn't see you walk in."
Waving her hand dismissively, "oh Belfast you don't need to apologize or be so formal."
"As you know Miss, my duties as a maid do require such a response," she responded.
"Of course," Wales said, "anyways may I ask why you looked so concerned a moment ago? If it's about the mission I have now doubt Enterprise and her envoy will return soon."
"Mission?" Belfast responded almost immediately as her mind began a race to fill in the blanks.
A surprised look came across the battleships face at the near panic she heard behind the question. Finally she said, "I guess you weren't told, this morning Enterprise, Hornet, and some others were sent to investigate some reports of siren activity."
SIRENS! Enterprise was out hunting sirens without her! Belfast's mind frantically considered everything whilst trying to maintain a composed demeanor. The maid knew how reckless the carrier could be in a fight, and how likely she was to push herself to the extreme. Luckily in recent times she'd been there to protect the carrier, but not this time.
"Belfast are you alright?"
The light cruisers focus returned to the world as she saw the slight worry on Wale's face. In as smooth a voice she could muster, "I'm fine Miss, just a bit surprised."
"If you say so," Wales said, then she made her way down the hall towards her quarters.
Belfast waited for the battleship to turn down the far hallway before she rushed out the building. She'd been able to quell her concern for the moment, but now all she could think about was the possible battle her Enterprise was engaged in. This thought however caused the maid to stop in her tracks. "She's not my Enterprise," she whispered reluctantly to herself. With her mood darkened further, she made her way down to the docks, deciding that she'd wait for the supposed soon return of the carrier.
The door handle jiggled waking the snoozing light cruiser. Quickly her senses returned to her as the days events began to play back in her head. After sitting on the dock for a few hours, she'd been called to help with afternoon tea, which she promptly spilled. Belfast couldn't even remember the last time she spilled tea, let alone spilled it in front of the Queen and her entourage.
After that embarrassing moment she'd excused herself for the remainder of the day citing fatigue. She spent the rest of the afternoon either thinking/worrying about Enterprise, or mulling over her dramatic mistake if front of her majesty. When dinner came she ate quickly then decided to come to the carriers room knowing that eventually she'd return. Now she was sitting up on the carriers bed as the door eased open, revealing the warrior she adored.
Slightly surprised at the cruisers presence Enterprise smiled. Stepping through the door she intended to ask the maid how her day had been when she was cut off by the shocked look on the maids face.
"What happened?" Belfast practically yelled as she finally saw the tattered clothes the carrier was dressed in. Enterprises coat was torn asunder, her shirt and skirt booth had their fair share of battle damage, and even her pristine hat appeared slightly singed.
"Oh well we found some sirens. They shot at us. Some torpedos were sent towards Hornet and I jumped in their way" Enterprise said with a slight nervous chuckle.
"YOU DID WHAT!?" This time Belfast truly did yell as she leapt off the bed and went over to the carrier. She saw the astonished look on Enterprises face as she'd certainly never heard her yell like that. No one had really. Focusing herself and trying to bury her feelings she asked, "so their wasn't a better way to prevent Hornet from being hurt shy of throwing yourself towards some torpedoes?"
Deciding to ignore the outburst Enterprise responded, "not really, it's my job to protect her, so I protected her."
Well it's my job to protect you, instead I was here serving tea while you were out getting hit by torpedoes, Belfast thought. Instead of saying that she chose to help the battered and bruised carrier out of her uniform, averting her eyes when the carrier fully undressed, and got her into something more fitting for sleep.
"Thank you Belfast, you always treat me so well," Enterprise said as she sat down onto her bed.
"It's my duty and pleasure Miss," Belfast said with a smile as she folded and stacked the destroyed clothes. Catching a saddened look in the carriers eye, the maid asked, "what's wrong Miss, you look upset?"
"Well considering the current status of my ship, I don't think I'll be making the trip to see Yorktown," Enterprise said with a disheartened sigh.
Abandoning the clothes, Belfast came to the carriers side saying, "I'm sorry Miss."
"It'll be fine," the carrier said as she looked towards the light cruiser, "besides maybe it'll teach me a lesson about not jumping in the way of torpedoes."
With a slight laugh the maid responded, "knowing you Miss, I highly doubt that."
"Your probably right," the carrier said with a yawn, "and before you go off and say something about sleeping being necessary to heal, I'll go ahead and say goodnight and try to get some rest."
Standing up, "I think that's a wise idea Miss." the maid headed for the door before being stopped by the carriers words.
"Oh Belfast I'm sorry for not finding you and telling you I was leaving this morning," the carrier said, "I heard you were worried."
The light cruiser began to open the door saying, "I was a bit yes Miss, but no matter." Stepping through the door Belfast bid the carrier "good night," before closing it. Deciding it was late enough, the light cruiser began down the hall and stairs in order to return to her room. Along the way she saw Northampton and Hornet together along with a couple other Eagle Union girls. As she passed them, Belfast noticed that the carrier and heavy cruiser were holding hands. Returning to her room, the maid couldn't help but hope that one day she could do that with her carrier.