Gun oil. For some reason, that's the thing my brain decided to focus on that day. Not the man with his arm around my neck, nor the feeling of a cold steel barrel pressed against my forehead. No, it's the smell of gun oil. To this day when someone even mentions his name, my mind conjures up the smell of gun oil. Of course, at the time, I had more pressing matters to deal with.

"Think this through, Walker," I grunted through the partial chokehold. "You'll never make it out of here. You kill me, you're a dead man."

Walker chuckled darkly, and pressed the gun harder against my temple, cutting into my skin. "Don't be silly. I shoot you, then Mallory, and blame it all on Takao here. My word against hers, who're they gonna believe? I'm a member of High Command, and she's the enemy. An enemy who started this war with an unprovoked attack on this very base."

"Member? Pah," I spat. "You're their goddamned errand boy. Also, your story has a hole big enough to drive a battleship through."

"Yeah?" he sneered. "What's that?"

As we talked, Takao slowly paced around us, her hand on the hilt of her sword, ready to draw it in an instant. Walker kept rotating us around, making sure I was always in her way. My eyes met hers and I could see the worry, the fear in them, but above all, I saw the resolve and determination there. She would not let me die today, and I trusted in that resoluteness.

"She look like the type to use a gun?" I asked. "I get that you don't care about these girls, but Christ, man, at least do your homework."

"Shut up!" he barked as he slammed the butt of the pistol into the side of my head. He didn't hit me quite as hard as he did Mallory, but my vision swam and I felt unsteady on my feet. Takao began to dart in, but before she could close the distance, Walker had the gun up to my temple again. "Ah ah ah," he warned. "Don't want to end this little dance early, do we?"

My curiosity got the better of me as my head quit ringing and I groaned out. "Since you're gonna kill me anyway…why'd you do it, Walker? Why'd you sell out humanity to the Sirens?"

"Sell out humanity?" he repeated, having the sheer unmitigated gall to sound offended. "I didn't sell out humanity, I sold out them. Who cares about these stupid things, anyway?"

"I do," I growled, much to his derision.

"See, this is why I set you up," he spat, "You've forgotten your own kind. You think they care about, they love you? Do you think any of these things can be capable of anything like that?"

My eyes met Takao's, and despite the mortal danger we were both in, I saw the answer behind those beautiful brown irises. "Absolutely, Walker," I answered softly. "And that's why I'm able to lead them to victory after victory while you're not fit to pour piss out of a boot with instructions written on the heel."

"Shut up!" he shrieked, the gun digging into my temple. This time, however, I could feel him trembling. I was getting to him.

I pressed on. "Admit it, you're just jealous. All these beautiful women around and you couldn't even get one of them to like you. And here I am, dating the one you sent to kill me. Couldn't even do that right!"

"Shut up shut up shut up! Or I will blow your goddamn head off!" By this point, he'd become apoplectic with rage, unable to think straight. "Maybe you two would have made a very happy couple and maybe one day the two of you would make horrific dog-ship-human babies, but that's not going to happen because I'm going to shoot you, and pin it all on her-"

And that's when he made his fatal mistake. In his rage, he gestured with his gun hand, taking it away from my temple and pointing it squarely at Takao. It was all the opening she needed. With lightning speed, she drew her blade, batting the gun out of his hand before thrusting it forward. Sakura steel flashed past my face, nearly grazing me with its razor's edge before plunging into its target behind me. Whatever Captain Julius Walker was about to say, it was forever lost in a horrible, gurgling noise that slowly faded away. I felt something warm and wet soaking into my shoulder and running down my back as his body went limp.

Walker's arm around my throat loosened up, and I managed to get free of his grasp as he crumpled to the floor in a heap. The second I was free, Takao wrapped her arms around me in a much friendlier, much more welcome embrace.

"Thomas!" she gasped as she held me tight, checking me for any injuries, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," I answered, the adrenaline still making me a little shaky. "And for the record, I think your form there was flawless."

She smiled slightly and her cheeks colored. "Thank you, Thomas. I'm glad to know I can keep you safe."

"Me, too," I eagerly agreed as I looked around the room. "We'd best get to work. Go hit that red button on the wall, should summon an emergency response team, and then help me with Admiral Mallory, would you?"

Reluctantly, she let me go and nodded once. "Hai."

As she went over to the wall and the emergency claxons began to blare, I knelt down by Admiral Mallory, first feeling for a pulse, then making sure I didn't feel any broken vertebrae before I rolled him onto his back. Fortunately, he was still breathing and it didn't look like he'd injured himself in the fall, just a rather nasty wound on the back of his head. I grabbed a first aid kit from the wall and placed a large bandage on the wound, hoping it would staunch the bleeding. Now all that remained was to wait for the response team to arrive.


The next few hours were a blur. Per regulations, Takao was taken into custody pending a full investigation, but she was confined to her quarters with Wales standing guard outside instead of the brig. She was a damn hero in my book, and I wasn't going to let her spend one second someplace she didn't deserve to be. Vestal took Admiral Mallory to sickbay where he was treated for a concussion and kept for several hours for observation.

Which left me the unenviable task of reporting back to High Command what just transpired. Needless to say, they were…less than enthused that I had left critical information out of the report, let alone that I was conducting an off-the-books investigation aimed directly at them. While the dressing down wasn't one I was keen on repeating any time soon, they did let me off the hook with just that, considering I'd exposed a traitor in their ranks and saved Admiral Mallory's life. In addition, they were kind enough to release Takao from house arrest given her role in saving our lives. I tried to even petition them to give her a medal, but I was rather quickly rebuffed. Deciding not to push my luck, I didn't press the matter any further.

Of course, the sudden flurry of activity caught also caught the attention of the Sakura Empire, who decided to finally call me for a face-to-face meeting.

Bremerton poked her head into the CIC almost as soon as I was done speaking with Naval HQ. "Boss?" she called out. "You've got Nagato on the other line wanting to speak with you."

I sighed softly and hung my head. This was the call I'd been expecting, dreading all week. "Put her through," I reluctantly answered Bremerton before I straightened my tie and adopted a more professional stance.

The screen flickered to life and I found myself staring at Nagato, flagship of the Combined Fleet of the Sakura Empire. She wore a tense, but polite smile on her face and she bowed slightly to her camera. "Good afternoon, Taisho Lee. I trust things are well on your end?"

"Good afternoon, Lady Nagato," I bowed in return, keeping the same polite smile on my face. We both knew the reason she was calling, and what she would ask, but I was determined to see this bit of political theater through to its end. "Things are busy here, but going well. And you?"

"Much the same," she said. "Although I've heard rumors that a member of Naval HQ has paid a visit to your base."

"It was an unannounced visit," I said, perhaps a bit more defensively than I should have. "Caused a..bit of an uproar here, but things have calmed down somewhat."

"I see…" she slowly said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "And the incident with the Admiral's aide?"

To my credit, my jaw dropped only slightly, and I managed to prevent any sudden, immediate outburst from passing my lips. After self-consciously clearing my throat, I answered, "I, ah, was unaware you had been informed of what happened."

"In all honesty, Admiral Lee, I just found out about it minutes ago when your Naval HQ sent me a message informing me that they would not be pressing charges against Takao," she said coolly. "Imagine my relief and confusion."

I took a deep breath and carefully weighed what I was about to do. On the one hand, I didn't want to piss off Naval HQ more than I already had, but on the other hand… "How much did they tell you?"

She shrugged slightly. "Just that there had been an incident with Takao and an Admiral's aide and that they were declining to press charges."

I sighed and took a deep breath. "That aide wasn't just some Admiral's assistant. He'd been a spy for the Sirens. He set Takao and us up back in that Mirror Sea, hoping we'd kill each other, or at least attack one another and restart the war. He tried to kill me again today, but Takao saved me, ending his life in the process."

While she tried to keep her face an impassive mask, I could still see the surprise in her eyes as I told the story. "I see…" she repeated, her tone much more thoughtful this time. "I'm glad to hear you are unharmed, Commander. However, with all this…excitement going on at your base, I would like to have Takao and Atago returned to Sakura territory as quickly as possible."

My heart sank and I nodded slowly, trying to keep the pain from my face. "I understand. I can have them underway by this evening if that is acceptable?"

"Yes, thank you, Admiral," Nagato nodded in agreement. She paused, then gave me a thoughtful look. "May I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

She began slowly, haltingly, almost as if she was afraid to speak her concerns aloud. "Do you think that…perhaps…one day…the Sakura Empire and Azur Lane could work together as we have done once before?"

I wasted no time in answering. "Without a doubt. If the rest of the kansen are as honorable and dutiful as Takao and Atago, I think this could blossom into a beautiful alliance once more."

Her smile was soft and frail, but nevertheless a hopeful one. "Thank you, Admiral Lee. Have a good day."

Her image flickered off the screen and I let out another long, depressed sigh. Time to give Takao the good and bad news…


I dismissed Wales as soon as I got to Takao's quarters, not wanting her to be privy to what would almost certainly be a very private, very emotional discussion. After taking a deep breath, and steeling myself as best as I could, I knocked on the door.

After a few seconds, Takao answered it, hope in her brown eyes. A hope that died when she saw the look on my face. "They are sending us back, aren't they?"

"I just spoke with Lady Nagato," I confirmed with a quick nod. "The good news is that High Command is going to quietly let the entire matter drop. The bad news is that they told Nagato, who promptly called me to ask what was going on. And after explaining the situation, she requested that you two head back home for reassignment."

Her expression was stoic, but I could still see the sadness in her eyes. "I understand," she answered dutifully. "We both knew this would come sooner or later." She glanced away, a wry, sad smirk tugging at the corners of her mouth. "You know, I often read of samurai who found themselves torn between honor and duty. I thought it was a silly dilemma, after all, what could be more important than fulfilling one's obligations?" Her eyes turned back to me, wellsprings of heartache. "I now truly understand how they must have felt, how they must have agonized over their choices. I do not want to leave, but I know I cannot stay."

"I know," I whispered softly, my arms wrapping around her waist as I pulled her into a tight embrace. "I don't want you to go, either." I let out a quiet chuckle as she rested her head against my chest. "It's funny. I've known you for barely a week, and I don't want to imagine another day in my life without you in it. But I promise you this: I can't keep you here, but I will always keep you in my heart. Until the day comes when we can finally be together again."

She looked up at me, a hopeful expression on her face. "And I will always keep you in mine, Thomas. This I swear. I don't know when I will be able to see you next or even speak to you, but I will eagerly await that day."

I nodded, but said nothing, and instead leaned down to kiss her tenderly. She responded in kind, our arms embracing, grasping tightly onto one another as we shared our feelings for one another. When we parted, Takao looked back at the clock on the wall. "When…when are we expected to depart?"

"This evening," I answered.

"That's not much time," she sighed as she reluctantly released me. "We'll need to start getting packed."

"Would you like me to help?" I offered.

"I appreciate the gesture, but it's just a few items, and Atago and I can handle it," she demurred with a smile and a shake of her head. "But I would appreciate an escort down to the docks."

I smiled back and gave her a slight bow. "It would be my honor."


True to her word, it didn't take long for her and Atago to pack up and get ready to leave. We made our way down to the docks, Takao and I holding hands as Atago followed behind, generously giving us some more time with each other. The fact that she didn't tease us once told me how seriously she was taking this.

As we approached the pier where Takao and Atago were moored, I saw a lone figure standing there. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was Admiral Mallory, his head still wrapped in bandages, his cap perched precariously atop it.

"Sir, what are you doing here?" I asked him as I saluted, reluctantly disentangling my hand from Takao's. "Shouldn't you be in sickbay resting? Vestal will find you and lecture you, sir, Admiral or no."

"It's quite alright," the older man chuckled as he returned the salute. "I got permission from her to come down here, but only on the condition I head right back once I've said my goodbyes. A little birdy told me that our Sakura guests were leaving, and I wanted to personally thank the woman who saved my life." His eyes fixed on Takao as he extended his hand to her.

"I only did my duty, sir," Takao demurred as she took his hand.

"That doesn't mean it isn't worthy of praise, nor that I'll soon forget it, young lady," He smiled warmly. "Should you ever need anything at all, for as long as this peace lasts between our two sides, please don't hesitate to contact me."

That took everyone by surprise, myself included. "Th-thank you, sir, I will," Takao stammered, and Mallory chuckled again as he withdrew his hand.

"I'm sure you still have one final goodbye to say, so I'll let you get to it. Safe journey to both of you."

Takao nodded and we all took our leave, Atago and I nodding gratefully to the Admiral as we passed. It was a very short trip to the gangplank, and by the time we got to it, my heart was thundering in my chest.

"Well…here we are at last," I nervously announced. "I am going to miss you so much."

"Me, too," Takao confessed. "I'm not sure how we'll get in touch with each other…"

"We'll find a way," I reassured her. "I promise. Perhaps we could use this to forge a more lasting peace between Azur Lane and the Sakura Empire."

"Perhaps…" she said softly. "Until then…I will keep you in my heart, Thomas."

"And I, you, Takao." We kissed one last time, tender, loving, passionate, hungry. And then she slipped from my grasp and headed aboard her ship.

I watched her go until Atago strode into view, a reassuring smile on her face. "I'll keep an eye on her, Commander, don't worry," she said as she opened her arms for a big hug. "But you better keep your promise on this one, or Big Sister's gonna come back and you won't like that visit."

I laughed as I hugged her back tightly. "Alright, I'll keep that in mind. It was wonderful meeting you, and you have a safe trip back."

"Goodbye, Thomas!" she waved as she practically skipped up the gangplank.

I watched both of them quietly slip free of their moorings and make their way out of the harbor. As they departed, I heard someone coming up behind me and glanced over to see Admiral Mallory. "Thought you had to get back, sir."

"She'll keep another minute," he dismissed with a grin. "Wouldn't be the first woman to give me an earful for staying out longer than I was supposed to." He looked out at the pair of cruisers sailing away for a moment, then asked, "You left out more than just the traitor in Naval HQ in your report, didn't you?"

"My feelings for someone aren't really worthy of an after-action report, sir," I cautiously answered.

"Perhaps," he sniffed. "Perhaps. But I can see it in both of your eyes when you look at each other. You really care for this girl, don't you?"

I thought it over for a moment, then answered. "Yes, sir. Quite deeply, in fact."

"You know the rest of the brass back home would pitch a fit if they found out you had feelings for someone on the other side of the battlefield." There was no judgment or scorn in his voice, just a simple statement of the facts.

"Keenly, sir."

He nodded slowly, then clapped his hands together and smiled broadly. "Well, then, there's no need for them to know. At least, not until we've gotten this ceasefire hammered out into something more concrete."

I looked over at him as if he'd suddenly gone mad. "...sir?"

"I may be old, but that doesn't mean I don't know love when I see it," he grinned. "And besides, I owe you both a debt of gratitude for your actions earlier today. Don't think I won't forget it."

"Th-thank you, sir," I murmured, dumbstruck.

"Think nothing of it," he replied as he gestured back down the pier. "Now, let's get back to sickbay before your Vestal has something to say about it…"


Admiral Mallory left the next day after being fully cleared by Vestal, this time onboard Alabama with a full escort. The Sirens were liable to be upset once they found out their mole took a katana to the face. For my part, I got back to work, losing myself in the daily routine whilst making quiet inquiries as to finding some way to get a message to Takao that wouldn't constitute treason.

It had been about a week, and I was in the middle of filling out another fuel consumption report when Intrepid burst into my office. "Commander, we've got two ships inbound."

I quickly looked up from my paperwork, setting my pen aside. "Sirens?"

Intrepid shook her head. "No, sir, they're broadcasting friendly IFF codes, but…we've got no one scheduled to arrive."

"Could be Naval HQ making another 'surprise inspection'," I surmised. "Go grab Memphis and Boise and head out there to escort them in."

"Aye, sir!"

No sooner than she had left than Bremerton poked her head around the corner. "Commander, Lady Nagato is on the line, says it's urgent."

"Never rains but it pours," I grumbled as I got out of my seat. "Tell her I'm on my way."

I quickly headed to the CIC, wondering what Nagato needed to discuss with me so urgently. Had something happened to Takao? Was she calling me to tell me to stop making inquiries about how to contact her? I strode through the doors to the CIC, straightened my tie once again, and turned on the monitor.

"Ah, Commander," Nagato smiled politely as she bowed. "Thank you for coming so quickly. I apologize that this call is on such short notice."

"My apologies for keeping you waiting for so long, Lady Nagato," I replied with a bow of my own. "How may I assist the Sakura Empire?"

"I wanted to let you know that since the…incident…with Takao last week, we have been in contact with an Admiral Mallory with Naval HQ, working to try and prevent the Sirens from exploiting this fragile peace any further." As she spoke, I felt a faint glimmer of hope blossoming in my chest.

"I see," I said slowly, not wanting to rush to conclusions, or perhaps, a false hope. "And I take it you have come to some sort of agreement?"

"We have," she nodded solemnly. "While the Sakura Empire currently cannot bring itself to a full truce with the Azur Lane just yet, we have decided to assign a shipgirl to your command, to act as a sort of liaison between our two factions. To ensure that any future misunderstandings are avoided if at all possible. She should be arriving at your base within the hour."

"Within the hour?" I repeated, and suddenly it clicked into place. "Who did-"

"Good day, Admiral." Nagato simply smiled and cut the transmission instead of letting me finish. As I stood there, dumbfounded, I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Takao standing by. What are your orders?"

I whirled around to find Takao standing there, a hopeful smile on her face. I abandoned any pretense of decorum and ran to her, taking her into my arms and passionately kissing her.

She let out an adorable squeal of surprise that melted into a content hum as she kissed back, her arms wrapping around me in a welcoming embrace. "Shikikan-dono," she murmured when we stopped to take a breath. "I was not expecting a welcome like that, but…I rather enjoyed it."

"I've missed you so much, and I just…I want you to know how I feel," I sheepishly answered. "There's no one else I'd rather have at my side, Takao."

Takao smiled and nodded, that familiar blush creeping along her cheeks. "For you to acknowledge me like this, Commander, is the greatest honor. From now on, this blade shall serve only you. Please continue to treat me kindly."

I smiled warmly at her and answered, "Always."

We stayed in the CIC for another few minutes, catching up before introducing her and Atago formally to the rest of the base. I was sure there would be more bumps and bruises down the road as they got settled in, but as long as Takao was by my side, I knew we would get through it. Together.

Fin~

A/N-And so ends another story. Whew! Don't forget, the poll is still up until May 31st, you can find where to go to vote on my Twitter page, admiral_fluffy, which is also where I will announce the winner. Currently, it's Intrepid in the lead so it looks like we'll be stargazing soon! Until next time, fair winds and following seas!