Chapter 16

Heavy footfalls echoed through the deck as I ran over, quickly putting my arm under hers to ensure she didn't fall further

"Ah, James. I'm sorry for startling you like this. I merely tripped." She went to stand on her own, only for her legs to buckle as she had used up the last of her strength.

Putting Hoods arm fully over my shoulders while mine held onto her, I stood her up. "Tripped? Hood you can barely stand." Her face turned away trying to hide it going red in embarrassment. But I could see from her eyes how tired she was. "Javelin was concerned that you weren't sleeping. And now I find you like this!"

I realised I had raised my voice; I cleared my throat trying to calm myself. "Please Hood, tell me what's going on. When was the last time you slept?"

She sighed; I felt her body relax slightly. "Back on the train to London, that was my last full night of rest. Whenever I have tried to rest since, I find the fear of what I might see in my dreams harrowing."

"The train? Hood, that was over a week ago. Why didn't you say anything?"

"We've all been so busy, I didn't want to worry you."

"Hood, you said it yourself. You're my ship, it's my duty to ensure your health." I started moving, helping Hood to walk alongside me. "Come, you need to rest. Is there anything I can do to help?"

She stopped and looked at me, for the first time the air of confidence she had seemed to slip. "C-could you read to me? While I sleep."

With a nod we continued to walk, eventually arriving at her cabin. The air became awkward as we stood facing each other. Hood placed a hand on one of her buttons. She blushed. "Could you… not look."

"Ah, sorry." I quickly turned around and waited. Soon I started to hear the sounds of clothes being moved around, Hoods outfit was very complex and ornate so it took a while. I wondered what layer she would go down to, all the other girl's outfits left little to the imagination, yet she was dressed very conservatively.

I started to fight the urge to sneak a peek, or see if there was anything reflective in my field of vision. I realised I was living practically every man's dream being surrounded by cute and attractive women all day. The sound of a quilt moving stopped my train of thought. "Ok, you can look again." Hood softly spoke out.

She was already in bed, the quilt held up by one of her arms to be just below her shoulders. Her clothes lay in a neat pile on the small table in the room, from a glance I guessed she was only in her underwear right now.

I ran a hand through my hair as I felt my face go warm. "So, what is it you want me to read?" I asked, trying to focus my mind on something else.

Hood gestured towards a book resting on the table, I recognised it as the one from the university. "Ah, I see. One moment." Picking up the old book I sat myself down on the chair, I chuckled when I saw the title. "The sonnets huh? You should have asked earlier; I don't even need the book to read them to you."

"You know them off by heart?"

With a smile I nodded. "My mother made me read them constantly when I was young, said it would help me court a refined woman." I felt a rush or nostalgia as I recounted my youth. "Not just the sonnets either, I've read all of the bards' great works countless times over. Anyway, where would you like me to start?"

"Your mother sounds like a great woman, especially for raising such a fine young man." She laid down fully in the bed. "Could you start at the beginning, I've already read through the book several times. I just want to know what it's like to have it read to me."

"Very well, just try to relax. I will be right here if you need me." I opened the book and flicked through the first few pages. Clearing my throat, I begun to read the first paragraph. "From fairest creatures we desire increased, that thereby beauty…"

I slowly read through the poems, keeping my voice as soft as possible, even when my throat started to feel dry. I had only gone through a few when Hoods breathing started to slow. I decided to continue reading, hoping that my voice would help her sleep.

I don't know how long I had been reading before I also started to slumber, and found myself in a dream that wasn't entirely my own.

"Mum, mum quickly, it's here!" I called, pulling on her hand while we tried to get through the crowd.

Both my body and mouth seemed to move on its own. It was like I was watching the world through another person's eyes.

"There's no need to rush my dear, the ship has only just arrived, it will be days before she sails again." The woman spoke, my height reached her waist. This must be the memories of some kid, but who's?

The crowd was very thick, my height meant I couldn't see more than a few feet in front of me. There was nowhere left to go, I looked around trying to find a way through when two arms wrapped around me and lifted me up. "There, you should be able to see her now." The kids mother spoke while holding me in her arms.

My head turned and I saw it. The ship was gigantic, eclipsing even Warspite in length. I don't know why, but the ship felt oddly familiar.

"Wow." Was all the kid could say as his jaw dropped in amazement. The ship was covered in flags and bunting, with most of her crew standing along the edges in their uniform. The hull was painted a brilliant white, letting the sun reflect of the surface and making it seem like the ship itself was shining.

"Did father serve on a ship like that?" The kid asked, looking at the sailors on deck.

"He did, just as his father before him."

"Do you think I could serve on a ship like that?" He looked at his mother. I noticed her grimace slightly. I had an idea of why she did.

She ran a hand affectionately through his hair. "If that is what you wish my dear, but you are still young, enjoy your time as a kid. I will be here to support you no matter what." I was pulled into a tight hug and my vision went dark.

The maternal warmth was suddenly replaced with coldness as my body was drenched in water.

The world rocked around me; I was on my knees coughing up seawater. "That was a big hit." A mature but similar voice spoke from my throat. I was still viewing the world through someone else's eyes. He started to search through the knee-high water in front of him. "Where is it… ah." He pulled out a large spanner from the water and stood.

Through the faint red light, I was able to make out the inside of a ship, he was wading down a corridor towards a door, the air was filled with smoke and smelled of blood. I could hear distant cannon fire, none of it sounded like it was coming from the ship I was on.

The air started to feel charged as the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He stopped as the distinct booming sound of a siren weapon rang out. There was a distant explosion and he let out a held breath before continuing.

He reached the watertight door and jammed the spanner into the lock. He started trying with all his strength to get the mechanism to move.

The metal begun to creak. "Come on, you… Bastard!" The resistance suddenly disappeared as metal snapped, unfortunately the door was still jammed shut.

Looking at the door he realised there was no way out, the ship had started to tilt and the water level was rising faster. He leaned against a wall. "Sorry for my language old girl, you know I didn't mean it." He put a hand on a pipe as he spoke to the ship.

Fishing through his pockets he pulled out a hip flask. "One for the road then." He took a large swig of the alcohol before pouring some out into the water. "Careful now, this is from Petersons stash, it can blow your socks off."

He laughed to himself before finishing off the drink. The ship creaked as its hull was pulled in ways it wasn't supposed to, the emergency lights flickered as their battery's started to die. "Easy now girl." He put his hand back on the pipe. "I'm here. You can rest now. We've done our duty, so no regrets you hear me, the navy will carry the day, it always has."

The water flooded in faster and faster. Eventually he was holding onto a pipe on the roof, the angle of the ships sinking giving him a few extra seconds of air, the human will to survive making him fight for each breath.

"You really were radiant, that day when I first saw you. It was right there when I decided to enlist. It's been an honour to serve onboard you." The lights finally went out and the world around him started to go quiet. "Mother, I'm sorry."

I blinked, and the world was filled with light again, I was back on the Javelin. Still sitting in the chair in Hoods cabin, with a yawn I stretched my back, if felt stiff from sleeping in a chair.

"Ah, your awake. Did you sleep well?" Hood asked, she was sitting on the bed.

"Sorry I didn't mean to fall asleep." I looked at hood, she was fully dressed and her hair had a slight damp shine to it. She had obviously been awake for some time now.

"Hood, there's something…" The memory of my dream was still as clear as day in my mind. Connecting the dots, I figured out what I had seen.

"You saw it. Didn't you?" She asked.

"He was one of your crew, wasn't he?"

"One of well over a thousand souls. All of them perished that day. Whenever I relax, or let my mind drift, I see them." I remembered Javelins first night, and the nightmares she had. Did all the girls experience this? "I'm sorry you had to see it, you already have so much to deal with."

Somehow, I knew that she wasn't telling me everything. I put a hand on her leg, trying to comfort her. "There's more, isn't there? Javelin experienced the same, but with her I never saw anything."

"There is something, it's hard to explain. You may find me crazy, but I know I wasn't supposed to sink that day, nor at the hands of the sirens."

"Hood, you are both right, and wrong." I stood and helped her up. "I will never have too much to deal with that you I can't help you. And no, you weren't supposed to sink that day, nor any time before or after. As Javelin said, you are the mighty Hood, nothing can break you." I pulled her into a hug. It took her a few seconds but she eventually wrapped her arms around me. "We can't change the past, but we can remember it. Your crew fought to the bitter end, and I promise you, we will avenge them."

We stood in silence for a few minutes, Hood just rested her head against me and enjoyed the comfort. Eventually she stood back and smiled. "You have a rather marvellous way with words, you should had pursued a life in politics, or public speaking."

I laughed. "Nah, that life would be too easy. A hard day's work is how I want to earn my food." I looked around the room, it was bright enough for it to be well into the morning. "Speaking of food, shall we head to the mess, I don't know about you but I am starving."

With a nod we both started walking the short distance towards the ships mess, we were about halfway when the deafening sound of a ships horn rang out. I quickly rushed over to a porthole; I couldn't help but grin at what I saw.

The Warspite, even with most of her superstructure in ruins, half her guns completely gutted and the ship listing heavily to one side, was slowly sailing past the Javelin. Stood proudly on the bow was the ship's owner, with her sword resting over a shoulder. I couldn't see, but I knew she would have had a large grin on her face. "That girl, she really is unsinkable."

I stood on the deck of The Javelin and watched the ship; she only did a few manoeuvres before it was encased in light and became her rigging. She made her way back over and leaped up onto the deck. The rigging mirrored her ship and most of it was badly broken. As it faded, she noticed me. "Ah! Commander." She walked over before standing straight and saluting me. "She can't make any hard turns, harsh language would be more effective than my guns, and as for speed… well it was never my strong suit anyway, but I'm ready to depart."

There was no way Hood had convinced her to salute, was there? I scratched the back of my head, thankful that nobody else was on deck at this time, Hood had gone to prepare us some food after seeing Warspite's ship. "That's good news." Warspite started to move, signalling me to walk alongside her. "After breakfast we can get ready to set off, it will take us about half a day to reach Oban so we can hopefully arrive while it's still light."

"That's good to hear, I don't know about you but I'm starting to get tired of this place, and I've been asleep for half of our time here." Warspite walked along happily, I glanced down at her legs. There wasn't any evidence that just yesterday she needed a crutch to get around. The skin was smooth and pale, and while her legs did look soft, whenever she stepped, I could just see the strong muscles hidden underneath.

"See something you like?" Warspite said with a smirk, she had noticed my staring.

"Ah, sorry I was just seeing how your healing is coming along."

"Sure you were." She gave me a light tap on the side. "Well you'll be pleased to know I've made a full recovery, there's not even a scratch on me anymore."

"That's good, you had us all worried. You girls are durable, but I wouldn't want to find out how far that durability can be pushed."

"Then we must become stronger." She spoke in a serious tone. "The sirens know about us now, I have no clue as to what their goals are, but we are probably going to end up being a thorn in their side. We need to be ready."

She was silent for a while before she shrugged. "Eh, But anyway. I'm absolutely famished, think an extra-large breakfast is in order. Who knows, maybe it will all go to my thighs. Gives you something more to stare at, eh?" With a laugh she picked up her pace and walked off leaving me on my own. What I hadn't noticed was the growing blush on her face.

I sighed and started to walk again. "I don't know if I prefer this Warspite, or the one who was constantly cold to me. I get enough teasing as it is from Hood."

After breakfast we all agreed to set off for the port as quickly as possible. With the benefit that Javelin could directly control the ship, it wasn't long before we stated to move. "Barometer is showing a drop in pressure, the wind has also begun to pick up. I think we're in for a storm soon." Z23 spoke as she looked over the instruments on the bridge.

"I had noticed. I will close my storm hatches and fill the lower ballast tanks." Javelin spoke from the helm. She stood on a small box, looking out through the window, I didn't know why she wanted to be at the wheel seeing as she can control her ship from anywhere, but she seemed happy so I didn't question it.

It was just us three on the bridge. U-556 had gone somewhere to nap, Elizabeth wanted to wash her hair and required her sister's assistance in doing so. Hood was down in the mess reading through some notes I had written for her about cooking, turns out apart from the basics, the girls lacked any culinary knowledge, something she apparently wished to rectify. Leaving me and the two destroyers to man the bridge.

Looking at the sky from out the pothole I commented. "It will be here in about an hour, probably nothing more than a squall. But keep an eye on the sky, the weather can change suddenly in these areas." I was sitting in the captain's chair, watching the two girls. I had tried to help out, but as it turns out sailing in a straight line was child's play for Javelin, even having the two of them on the bridge was overkill. "How are we looking on the radar?"

"All clear, sonar isn't picking up anything either."

I leaned back in the chair. "Good, let me know if anything changes."

"Aye."

Noting did, over the next few hours we would only detect small ships on the edge of her radar range, but their size, heading and speed probably meant they were only fishing ships. The rain as I predicted was only a light squall, though the waves that came with it were not as light.

The small, narrow ship was pushed around by the waves, resulting in me having to hold on when some of the larger ones hit, though neither of the girls seemed to even notice them and could keep their balance without holding anything.

Eventually the sea and sky calmed again, leaving a dark cloudy sky, it would probably rain again at some point in the day.

"Kommandant, may I ask for your permission in something," Z23 asked. I had been sitting in the chair letting my mind wander and hadn't even noticed her walk over to me.

"Uh, yea. What is it?"

"Back when we were repairing the Warspite I noticed something, with your permission I would like to perform an experiment in order to confirm my hypothesis."

"What do you want to do. And is it dangerous?"

She played with the pendant in her hair. "Well, I don't believe it will be dangerous, and it will be easier to show you than try and explain it."

I thought for a moment, Z23 seemed smart enough to not put us at risk. That and it would help us pass the time. "Yeah, you can go ahead with it. What do you need?"

"Wunderbar." She clapped her hands together excitingly. "Just wait here a moment, I will be right back." With that she quickly left the bridge.

As soon as the door had shut Javelin stepped down from her box and walked over to me. Without a word she sat down in my lap and gave me a kiss before wrapping her hands around me and resting her head on my chest. She had started doing this, quickly sneaking in cuddles and kisses whenever she could.

"What's with all the secrecy? On the day Z23 awoke you openly hugged and kissed me, even encouraging her to do so."

"Because if I was to do this while she's here, I will get an earful of how I'm not paying proper attention to sailing, or keeping an eye on my scopes. But I'm more than capable of multitasking. And…" she sighed. "And when it's just us two, it reminds me of the first days we spent together. Not that I don't enjoy everyone's company, I just also enjoy quiet times like this."

When she had hugged me, my hand had naturally gone to her head, I slowly moved it, feeling her relax at my touch. "Well, if ever you do want to spend some time like this, just ask. I'm sure that unless we're in a pressing situation I can make time for you." She hummed in understanding. "Now, you wouldn't happen to know anything about this experiment that Z23 wants to preform?"

"It's the first I've heard of it. I know she's been trying to figure out the mysteries behind our existence and what our bodies are capable of. Yesterday she had me for hours going over every detail of our engagement with the siren ships on our first day. And I know she's desperate to try and get a combat record off Warspite from when she fought that siren."

Z23 was obviously academically minded, I wondered if that was the reason the sirens had used her cube in that accursed machine.

"Where is she now?"

Javelin sat up. "She was just in the engine room by my oil tanks, now she's heading towards the upper deck." She hummed. "I think she's going to get u-556."

"Huh, that is strange." We didn't have to wait long before she returned. Javelin quickly stood back up and returned to the helm moments before the door opened again and the two girls walked in.

Z23 walked in carrying two cups, one looked to just be water, while the other was seemingly filled with oil. "Right, so as I was saying, back onboard the Warspite I was fixing an oil pipe." She looked between me and Javelin before her gaze fell upon my chest. I heard her tongue click as she rolled her eyes before continuing. "As I opened a valve, I was greeted with a face full of fuel oil. Don't worry it wasn't anything that some water and a towel couldn't clean, however a small amount went into my mouth. Now kommandant, in your years of service have you ever encountered the taste?"

I remembered my experiences with old pipes and their temperamental valves. "Tastes like death and requires a lot of rinsing to remove the aftertaste. But I'm guessing with what's in your hand, that's not what you experienced?"

"Nien, while the texture wasn't the best, the taste was rather pleasant and I didn't suffer any negative effects. My hypothesis is that due to our true nature being ships and our bodies high resilience, we can in a sense metabolise the oil." She passed the cup with the oil to U-556 "Now because I need to write down the results and Javelin is controlling the ship, I asked U-556 if she could assist."

Standing up I scratched my chin, while I was curious about it, there still was a large risk involved. "And you are totally fine with this?"

"Ya, anything for the fleet."

I mulled over it for a moment, weighing the risks. "Fine, you have the go-ahead, but be ready to act if anything goes wrong."

With a nod she put a finger in the oil before putting it in her mouth. "It tastes rather sweet." She held the cup higher and took a deep breath. "Prost!" She said before bringing the cup to her mouth and started downing its entire content.

"Ahh! That's the good stuff." She exhaled, holding the cup up and tipping it over to show it was empty. "She was right about the texture, but it sure is filling." she wiped away a small amount of the stuff from around her lips.

"No surprise there, that cup was roughly half a litre so you're probably looking at just over four thousand calories." Z23 gave the submarine the cup of water and started to write down the results on a piece of paper.

Javelin leaned against her wheel. "Well, I guess apart from you James we don't really need to overly worry about food anymore."

"We're in a better position now Javelin, if we plan properly then we should always have enough food for everyone. And with that many calories it would be unhealthy to drink it too often."

She scratched her chin and hummed; I was amused at how similar it was to how I do it. "The short times when I've used my rigging, I've always felt drained afterwards, and surely, you've noticed the sheer amount of food miss Warspite has been eating these past few days. Maybe this could be a solution."

Both Z23 and I looked surprised at Javelin's sudden scientific mindset. "Ah! That's it, she's right. These human bodies don't overly need to drink oil, but our ships do. Healing or using our rigging must consume a ton of energy posing a risk in prolonged engagements. we can offset the risk by consuming oil."

"It's a good theory, we'd need to prove it though. We need two similar ships to perform a bunch of manoeuvres with their rigging, Warspite's ship is still far to damaged for her to do anything right now." I remembered the ship from my dream, Hood was miles different from what I imagined Elizabeth's ship looked like. But the two destroyers looked to be similar enough. "We'll have to put a pin in this for a few days, we can test this with you two once we leave port. Apart from that, thanks U-556 for basically being a guinea pig. How are you feeling now?"

"I feel fine kommandant, I'm nice and full and have a bunch of energy to boot. Hey, you got anything you want me to do right now? I don't mind what, I just want to keep busy."

It was interesting to see her so motivated, especially as around now she would be napping. "Uh." I looked at the clock. "It's coming up on lunch, you can go see if Hood requires any assistance."

"Ah good idea, I'm sure she'll have something for me to do." Before any of us could reply she was already out the door.

"Well, we can definitely say the oil gives you girls energy. Good work Z23. While I'm still a bit sceptical, this has the potential to turn out to be very beneficial."

"Danke kommandant. However, do you two really expect me to be so obvious?" Before I could ask what, she meant she walked next to me and picked a long purple hair from my shirt. "Javelin, you're supposed to be paying attention to the sea, there's a time and a place for fraternisation." She poked me in the chest. "And you should know better."

Javelin looked genuinely downtrodden. "Sorry. It won't happen again."

The bridge was quiet for a moment, Z23 stood staring down Javelin with her hands on her hips.

The edge of her mouth started to twitch before she broke the silence by laughing, we both just stood dumbfounded waiting for her to compose herself. "I jest Javelin, I know you are more than capable of multitasking. I'm sorry for as you would say, pulling a leg. But your reaction was priceless."

"Wait, you're not angry?" Asked Javelin, still trying to comprehend what has happened.

"Nien, how could I be? I know how nice his hugs and headpats are. However." She cleared her throat. "I am annoyed that you waited until I had left, you know I would have liked a hug as well. So, as a punishment." Z23 looked at me and pointed towards the chair. "Sit."

Knowing what she wanted I happily sat down on the captain's chair. As I expected she promptly sat herself on my lap and rested her head against me. "Now, we have roughly an hour before lunch, my reward for discovering we can drink oil is a nice nap. Javelin your punishment can be ensuring we're not disturbed." Taking off her beret she placed one of my hands on her head and closed her eyes. Javelin just smiled and returned to the helm, leaving me to gently pat the head of the snoozing German destroyer.

"Unidentified vessel, this is the port of Oban harbour control. State your name, vessel, hull number and your intentions." A deeply Scottish voice rang out from the radio. We had all had lunch a few hours ago and were now making the final approach to the docks.

"This is James Dawson onboard the destroyer Hms Javelin. Hull number…" I looked towards Javelin.

"F sixty-one." She whispered.

"F61, we're just here to dock and replenish our stores, also to hopefully do business with the Atlantic convoy while it's here." All around us were large cargo ships, either at a dock being loaded or sitting in the estuary with its anchor down.

"A destroyer. Where'd you find an old relic like that. Just give us a sec we'll get you permission to dock." the radio went quiet, only filling the bridge with the sound of static.

"I am not an old relic." Javelin pouted.

Hood was looking out the window at the large convoy. "There is rather a lot of ships out here, isn't anyone worried about a siren attack."

"Oh, everyone here will be dreading one, just like anyone anyone who's even remotely close to the ocean." I shrugged. "But the pay will be good and the port is rather far inland. Most of the ships here would have been waiting further upstream until recently. Once all the cargo has been loaded, they'll fill the passenger ships and begin the mad dash across the Atlantic."

The radio buzzed again. "Ok Javelin, we couldn't find any record of you but it's not like our records are all that good anyway. You've been given permission to dock at the northern berths, there should be a spot behind the cargo freighter, western star."

The ship shifted as Javelin turned her towards the northern side of the port. I held up the receiver. "Confirmed. Could I ask who is in charge of the convoy? I would like to meet with him."

"His name is Richard Spence, though you may find it difficult to meet with him now, the convoy is scheduled to depart in three days."

Good, we would have time to restock and prepare. "Thanks anyway, that should be all for now, we'll make our way to dock." The man on the radio confirmed before going quiet, a dial on the radio moved on its own as Javelin switched it off.

We eventually found the western star and Javelin brought the ship up behind it. I took out the money I had recovered from my bag onboard the Warspite and started divvying it up. "Right, we have three days before departure, we need to ensure we have sufficient supplies for the journey, the destination should be New York so it will take around ten days, so get enough for fifteen. After that your free to do whatever you want. Though, I will make it a rule that if you leave the ship to at least remain in pairs. I don't know if news from London has travelled this far, but it doesn't hurt to be cautions."

All the girls nodded in agreement. "Also in regards to rigging, it would be best of you don't use it where you can be seen, however if you at all believe you're in danger, then your free to act how you see fit."

There was a rattling noise followed by a large splash as Javelin dropped her anchor. I looked out the window, once again, without any guidance she had perfectly positioned the ship against the jetty.

She could probably keep the ship steady on her own, but it would be weird for a ship not to be tied down. "Warspite, do you know how to moor a ship?"

Warspite gave me a weird look. "Don't ask stupid questions, of course I know how to tie a ship."

Everyone slowly dispersed from the bridge. Fortunately, the jetty was only slightly lower than Javelin's deck, so Warspite and I easily hoped from the ship and begun tying the ship down. I was just finishing up as I heard some footsteps approaching.

"Strange looking ship you got here." I looked up, a middle-aged man holding a clipboard had walked over.

"I get that a lot. What can I do you for?"

He held out the clipboard. "Just need you to call for your captain so he can read and sign this, along with sending over payment for the docking at some point."

"Well, no need to call him, I'm right here." I took the clipboard and started going over its contents. He gave me a strange look, probably had never seen a captain doing menial work before.

He looked over my shoulder at Warspite finishing off tying the stern, then at Javelin and Z23 who were removing part of the railing so a gangway could be placed. "Strange crew too."

I handed the paperwork back to him. "You don't know the half of it, but I can assure you those girls are probably more qualified to be sailors than anyone else at this port. Now is there anything else?"

"No that's it, just don't cause any trouble and you'll be fine." With a handshake he promptly left.

"All good?" Warspite asked.

"Yeah, just some paperwork that needed filling out, made me realise that we are going to get a ton of strange looks. Especially because of how some of you girl's dress."

"Eh, let them look." Warspite looked over to the gangway as her sister descended.

Elizabeth made her way over, I noticed she had removed her crown, probably in an attempt to prevent her from standing out, though I doubted anyone would notice her crown as with Warspite with her, everyone would be paying more attention to her sister's lack of legwear.

"Ah good thy are all done. Warspite, Hood has given thee a list of required materials for us to collect, if you are capable one would like to set off post-haste." she waved some paper to prove her point.

"Of course your majesty. I am ready if you are."

"Most splendid." She turned to me. "James, while I would like to ask you to accompany me, unfortunately Hood wishes to speak with you."

Elizabeth had unknowingly used her casual way of speaking to me. Something Warspite had instantly picked up on. "Ok, I'm sorry your majesty, but I can't help but notice how close you two have gotten, first I notice how you always have a look of disappointment whenever he hugs or headpats the destroyers. And now you speak to him casually." With a coy smile she stepped closer to her sister and looked her in the eye. "Did something happen while I was asleep that I should know about?"

"Ah, well one, uh, I, uh." Her face went bright red, she started to stutter while trying to figure out what to say. Warspite leaned in closer.

Elizabeth brought a hand to her mouth and coughed, clearing her throat. She took a deep breath, and seemed to settle down a bit. "Apologies. What one was trying to say was that while thy was indisposed, the commander here took up responsibility for one's care. As a sign of gratitude for his services I decided to appoint him as the… The err… Ah! As my royal servant. Yes, that's it."

Warspite raised an eyebrow, I could see Elizabeth start to sweat. Warspite sighed and shrugged. "Ah fair enough. My apologies your majesty, it had been bugging me for a few days now, but now it all makes sense."

"It does? Ah, I mean of course it does. One must also apologise for confusing you. Now we have already idled for long enough and must be going so I bid you adieu, come Warspite there is much to do." She hurryingly walked off. Warspite bowed to me slightly before running to catch her up.

I watched them walk for a bit, I found my gaze drifted to Warspite's legs, I found that a part of me was glad she wasn't wearing any legwear. "Wow, she was right. I do see something I like."

Chuckling to myself I looked over to see Javelin, Z23 and U-556 walking together down the gantry. Z23 was studying a piece of paper in her hands while the other two talked, I waved to them as they walked past, after a quick exchange about how they had also been given a list by Hood, I sent them on their way.

"And then there were two." I said to myself. Hood was standing on the deck, one hand on her hat as a particularly strong gust of wind blew, she was looking out across the harbour, I didn't know if she was looking for something, or just enjoying the view. Eventually her gaze fell upon me and she smiled before making her way over.

"It really is a wonderful port and with the mountains far off in the background, it's like a work of art."

"This area has some fantastic views; I will have to show you them sometime."

Hood nodded. "I would like that. However." She pulled out some paper. "We need to focus on the task at hand right now. I've sent the rest of the girls to get all the provisions we may need, leaving us to get both mechanical and medical supplies."

She handed me the list. "Wow, wish I had you around on the Endurance, would have saved me a ton of time." I sighed, remembering working the countless long nights while everyone else was down the pub. I would be ensuring the crew was fed and the ship was fuelled.

Sensing my mood Hood placed a hand on my shoulder. "I would have loved to see your old ship and her crew. Now shall we be off, maybe after we've sourced what we need there may be time for some leisure shopping. Money may be tight, but I'm sure we can find some spare change for a few comforts."

"I've been here a few times, so I know where we can find most of this stuff. Shouldn't take too long." I started to walk only to hear Hood clear her throat.

"Where you never taught how to properly walk with a lady?"

"I don't follow." She gestured towards my arm.

"Ah I see." I raised my elbow allowing her to link an arm trough mine and rest her other just above my elbow. "Right, off we go then."

She hummed, enjoying the feeling. "You definitely have potential. Mark my words James, I will make a fine gentleman out of you yet."

(A/N)

Sorry for the large delay between chapters, but I am now back from being away, and bring what is now the second longest chapter yet.

Thanks for everyone who is following this story and I hope you continue to enjoy it.