A Fresh Start Chapter 3, an azur lane/碧蓝航线 fanfic

Part Three – Forced Hands and Questions of Faith

Today was the day, I and Cassidy were at the beach, though she had vanished off someplace with both Bouge and Maury to go and meet up with Maury's sisters and play. I looked around and spotted a place to set up a basecamp so to speak. I put down our towels, got a beach umbrella set up, and sat down for a moment. Closing my eyes I took in the smell of the sea air, it smelt so different than it did in Norfolk. Letting out the breath I leaned back on my towel and stretched. When I opened my eyes, my heart started to pound in my chest while it jumped into my throat as I saw two silver-haired beauties leaning over me in very revealing bikinis and they said in unison, "Bonjour Commandant."

I swallow hard as I greet them both, "Good morning ladies."

They both layout towels and lay on their bellies; Algérie undoes her top from behind and asks, "Commandant, could you put some sunscreen on my back, please?"

It seems like a harmless request and I move to do it, Dunkerque seems to take it as some kind of challenge, undoing hers' as well and asking, "Me as well if you please, Commandant."

I'll admit I knew I was trapped at this point, no matter whom I rubbed lotion on first, and the other was going to be irritated. I began to wonder just how I managed to find myself in this position… So I chose to split the difference, I put lotion on both and positioned myself between the two of them, and start to rub it in. I notice how soft their skin seems, both of them sigh at my touch and I feel just that little more awkward… the last time I did this for a woman was for Cassidy's mother… god I miss her. That was when it hit me, I only thought about her rarely these days, my thoughts were usually preoccupied with Cassidy, Algérie, or Dunkerque lately… maybe I was finally in a spot where I might be ready to move on with my life.

Once I'm done with the lotion I sit back on my towel and put down my hat and try to relax. After some time, my ears pick up Dunkerque says, "Everyone looks like they're having so much fun… But I do not see Cassidy."

I sit up at that and look at my phone and note that's been a couple of hours since she had gone off, Algérie turns her had in my direction and ask, "Is something wrong?"

My brow knits together as I say, "I'm not sure… she'd normally be back by now."

I see both women do up their tops and sit up, Algérie is the first to speak, "I'll go look to the south, Dunkerque can you go and look to the north?"

"What should I do?" I ask.

Algérie gave me a smile that I found rather reassuring, "Stay here, if she comes back then everything is fine."

I sigh, she was right, I couldn't travel as fast as a kansen when water was nearby… I hated having to trust them to do this for me, but I didn't have much choice right now. I watch as both women head off in opposite directions and I draw my knees up to my chest and try to avoid being worried.

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At the same time, to the south of the Commander.

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"I got it!" yelled Cassidy as she ran to catch the ball the Bouge had tossed.

As her footfalls got her closer, Cassidy jumped to try and nab the ball as it was getting closer to the edge of the hilltop they were playing catch on. Out stretching her hands she caught the ball, just as her right foot landed on the grass that was damp from sea spray, her ankle twisted and over the side she went, with a scream of surprise.

Bouge was the first to react out of the kansen, she hurried over to where she saw Cassidy fall, stopping at the edge of a drop-off, her friend laying on her side, crying. Doing some quick math in her head, Cassidy was too far down to reach and too far down to carry out. Bouge looked down at her small body and cursed to herself, she knew if she went down there, she couldn't get back up, cupping her hands around her mouth she called down "Cassy! Are you okay?"

Cassidy sat up cradling her right arm with her left as she cried out, "No! I want my Dad!"

Bouge looked at Maury and said to her, "GO! Go find the Commander!"

Maury nodded and took off in a sprint towards the water so she could use her speed.

Bouge called back to Cassidy, "Maury's gone to go and find him, they should be here soon… no one is faster than Maury!"

"I hope so… my arm really hurts!" Cassidy called back

Bouge bit her lower lip, she felt horrible, it had been her toss that landed Cassidy in that pit.

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Algérie hadn't gone far when she spotted a kansen coming towards her, positioning herself to intercept she called to the girl, "Have you seen Cassidy? Le Commandant is looking for her…"

The destroyer kansen made her way over and told Algérie to follow her. It didn't take them long to get to the pit, looking over the edge Algérie saw Cassidy sitting down there, quietly crying, holding her right arm, turning her attention to Bouge she asked the carrier, "Have you not tried to get her out?"

Bouge looked down and shook her head as she said, "I could get down there, but I'm not big enough to make the jump to get out."

Algérie sighed before kneeling and putting a hand on Bouge's left shoulder as she said, "Then you did the right thing, getting help."

Algérie turned and dropped herself down into the pit to pick up Cassidy and get her out of the pit. Once the two of them were on out, Algérie still holding Cassidy against her, she asked, "Can I see your arm?"

The girl shook her head as she whimpered, "It hurts."

The heavy cruiser could see that it was starting to swell, looking around quickly and sighing to herself she put Cassidy on the ground, she fell back down onto her rear and cried out, "My ankle!"

Algérie sighed and undid her top to make a make-shift sling as Cassidy asked, "Can we not tell my Dad what happened?"

Algérie ran a hand through her hair as she said, "That is going to put me in a difficult spot, he is going to see that you are hurt… and I do not want to be dishonest with him."

Cassidy nodded and she said, "But I don't want him to be mad a Bouge… I chased the ball, I slipped and I fell; Bouge didn't do anything wrong!"

Algérie moved quickly to lift Cassidy back up and said, "Let us get you to Vestal, I will call your father from there."

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Back to the Commander's POV

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Time passed, a lot more than I would've liked really… this wasn't helping my insides. Dunkerque was the first one back, she shook her head and I started to worry more, taking out my phone I called Algérie's number. My heart sank when I hear rigging coming from a bag by my feet, opening the bag I saw a phone that was ringing, flipping it over I saw that it was me that was calling. I ended my call and sighed, Dunkerque touched my shoulder as she told me, "I am sure everything is okay."

I was about to say something when my phone rang, the number made me arch my eyebrow it was coming from the medical ward. My heart stopped in my chest as I answered it, "Hello?"

"Commandant, I took Cassidy to see Vestal, you should come to the medical ward," said Algérie on the other end.

"I'm on my way." I said, hanging up I turned to Dunkerque and added, "Can I ask you to pack up for me? I need to get to the medical ward, Cassidy's hurt."

Dunkerque gave me a sympatric smile as she said, "Go, I've got this."

It didn't take me that long to get to the medical ward, when I got in there I saw Algérie, Maury, and Bouge in the waiting room. As I started to cross the room Algérie put herself between me and the other two as she said, "Cassidy is in with Vestal, we think she broke her right arm and hurt her ankle."

The news hits me like a truck, I feel so very helpless that I wasn't the one to bring her here, I feel angry that I let her go off and she got hurt. I'm about to say something and yet the kansen in front of me tells me, "Cassidy says it was an accident and her own fault. Bouge tossed a ball, and Cassidy ran for it, jumped and landed wrong, sending her falling into a pit."

My eyes turn on Bouge, the words of Dunkerque rigging in my ears that Bouge was responsible, trustworthy… Algérie must read something in me as she puts a hand on my chest and says, "Commandant, have you ever known Cassidy to not be truthful?"

"She's always been an honest girl." I say to her, my eyes still locked on Bouge, I could see she wasn't even trying to meet my gaze.

"Then trust what she says. She told me that it was not Bouge's fault, that she is worried you will be mad at Bouge." Algérie continues at me.

I turn my attention to her as I said, "But Cassidy got hurt!"

"Oui, she did. But she says it was her own fault and it was an accident." She says back.

I wanted to be mad at someone, mostly for my failure at protecting Cassidy, my one real job, and my mouth was out running my brain at this point, "And you, you…"

I felt stinging in my right cheek, and Algérie was giving me a very hard look, her hand outstretched, lips pressed together and she said, "I brought her to get help. Bouge couldn't get her out of the pit, not without being stuck herself. You need to stop being pig-headed; sometimes an accident is just that, an accident."

I was going to say something else, but Algérie turned on her heels and ushered Bouge and Maury away and out of the medical ward, leaving me standing in the center of the room, holding my cheek.

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Later that day, I've got Cassidy in her bed, I feel so bad, her right arm is in a cast, her right ankle resting on a stack of pillows wrapped in a bandage, she looks at me and says, "Dad, please don't be mad a Bouge, I chose to chase the ball, I chose to jump for it… grass was wet and I slipped."

I sigh as I sit at the end of her bed and I look down at my hands, she'd been saying the same thing after I talked to Vestal about what to do, I look over my shoulder at her and I see her bite her lower lip before she says, "And please don't be mad at Miss Algérie, I heard the two of you arguing at the clinic…"

Ouch. I know I was going to say something stupid, that I would likely be regretting right now if she hadn't slapped me before I said anything. I look back to the door and run both of my hands over my head and down to my neck, I have to give credit to Algérie, she took Cassidy to the clinic, she took care of Cassidy before I was able to. I hated to admit it, but I was likely more mad at myself for taking some time for myself and not watching Cassidy like a hawk... like I normally do. I turn back around and give Cassidy a warm smile as I say, "I'll try sweetheart, now you get some rest; Vestal gave you some strong pain killers."

She nods and snuggles down into her bed and I get off her bed, turn out the light, and head downstairs. Once I get there I cross into the living room and lock eyes with the picture of Cassidy's mother and I say, "I'm sorry… I failed her today."

I knew that the picture couldn't say anything back or be able to judge me, yet I still felt like I was being judged and admonished for today. Running my hands over my head again I walk over to the mantel, placing both hands against it and hanging my head, I felt so helpless today, yet I also felt thankful that I had assets that I could employ to look for and help Cassidy when she needed them. After a few moments I lift my head and ask the picture a question, "Savanna, what should I do? You always knew the right thing to do…"

I get an answer in a strange way, I feel my phone shake in my pocket. I'm a little freaked out by that so I take it out slowly and see a text message from Algérie, it was simple but to the point, 'I am sorry for slapping you, Commandant.'

I sit down on my couch and massage her back, 'No, you did the right thing… if you didn't I likely would've said something stupid that I would be regretting right now.'

Almost immediately, she sends one back, 'How is Cassidy?"

I smile before I type out, 'Resting, and worried that I'm going to be mad at you and Bouge.'

'Are you?' was the next thing I saw on my screen, it made me sigh and hang my head before I sent, 'I was, but I figured out that I was mad at myself for failing Cassidy today because I wanted some time to myself.'

What surprised me was when she sent back, 'Daniel, you are too hard on yourself. It is not healthy for you to not do some self-care. If you want to take some time for yourself, I could watch her for you.'

I blinked at the text on the screen; I honestly didn't know how to respond to that offer… I knew that I trusted Cassidy with Dunkerque, at least enough to be in another room. When it came to Algérie, she had shown that she will do what is best for Cassidy first, mostly because she took her to the medical ward before calling me… she also stood up to me when my instincts went against what might very well be Cassidy's best interests. After a few moments, I found my fingers moving on their own to type out, 'Are you sure?'

To my surprise she sent back with a winking emoji, 'I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't.'

I'm surprised by how relaxed reading that made me feel, and I start to think about how I almost kissed Algérie in my office the other day, I'm sure of it that if I hadn't gotten that news I would've kissed her… or at least tried too. I look to the picture of Savanna and I ask, "Is this okay? That I'm starting to think about being with someone else? I mean Cassidy's been hinting at the idea of someone to be her mom figure…"

I bite my lower lip and try going for it, 'Would you like to come over tonight, for dinner and a movie?'

It takes a few moments before I get back, 'Oui, what time?'

I can feel the smile on my face and I let her know the time and I suggest dressing in something she would mind if it gets a little messy, since it's spaghetti night.

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Dinner came and went, and honestly, I don't think I've smiled and laughed as much as I did tonight in a long time. Cassidy had been grinning the entire time; her face had light right up when she saw Algérie was over. As the movie came to an end I looked to my left to see Cassidy was leaning against Algérie, fast asleep. Algérie looked at me and smiled before placing her fingers against her lips and pointing down, I carefully got off of the couch and slipped my arms under Cassidy, and carried her off to bed.

When I got back downstairs I could see my guest was kneeling on my couch, so she could watch me come back down the stairs, her head tilted to the side and I was suddenly feeling very nervous. I think she picked up on that rather quickly when she asked, "Commandant, was there a reason beyond dinner that you asked me over?"

I felt my cheeks get hot and my heart rate picked up and I took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before I said, "I like you Algérie, more importantly, Cassidy likes you and feels comfortable with you."

I watch as she leans a little forward, arching her hands to rest her chin on them as she smirks and says, "I am interested in you too Commandant…"

"Daniel." I say to her, that seemed to take her by surprise and her cheeks get very red at the implications of me letting her call me by my first name.

But I took on a sad look for a moment as I say, "But before I can even entertain the possibility of seeing if there really is something here Algérie, I need to talk to Cassidy and make sure she is okay with the idea and I need to know what is going on between you and Dunkerque."

That seemed to strike something as she looked down, frowning before telling me, "I understand… Between me and Dunkerque, it is more complicated than it sounds… When we fled our homeland, we could not go and join our sisters in the Iris that had fled to the Royal navy. If we tried we would've been intercepted by either the Iron Blood or the Sardegna Empire, we had to flee south, through the Suez Canal, we then sailed west until Jean Bart could not go on anymore and we came ashore here and were granted sanctuary by the Eagle Union."

I lean against the wall and tilt my head to the side and I say, "Okay, but that doesn't explain the issue..."

"Oui, you are right. The issue is Dunkerque wanted us to stand with her sister and try to defend our homeland, we had been fighting for it for years at this point… the Cardinal had already taken a detachment with her to the Royal navy for help, but they could not return for some reason…" she paused and looked down and away, "I convinced Jean to flee and save ourselves, rather than die or be captured for no good reason. Strasbourg, Dunkerque's sister stayed to fight a rearguard action so that we could get away… she did not make it."

I nod, okay that's got to be part of the issue, but it doesn't explain why Dunkerque gets her panties in a bunch when Algérie gets mentioned. I think she picks up on that when I raise an eyebrow, causing her to look down, her cheeks getting hot as she admits, "Dunkerque is interested in you, just as I am. She does not like the fact that I am as well."

Oh… well that's kind of what I suspected, still knowing it now puts the last couple of weeks in perspective. I was about to say something when there is a knock at my door, I excuse myself from this conversation and head to the door. When I open the door, I'm greeted by Dunkerque standing there, a container in her hands as she says, "Bonsoir Commandant, how is Cassidy?"

"She's sleeping right now; Vestal says she'll be fine. How are you?" I say to her, relaxing, trying to keep this lite and relaxed.

I see her rose-colored eyes look down as a slightly pink hue comes to her cheeks. In an instant, it goes away, and I clue into what she must see, Algérie's boots. She looks up at me, and I can see the irritation in her eyes as she shoves the container into my hands as she says, "I am glad my term as your secretary is done, I will still teach Cassidy, but I do not want to deal with you Commandant, at least not for a little while, bonne nuit. "

She spun on her heels and started to stalk away down my walkway and I knew she was mad. From behind me, I hear Algérie ask, "Cassidy is learning French?"

I hand my head and slowly close the door as I say, "Yeah, her school assigned her French as a second language… Dunkerque has been teaching her since my own French is really, really bad."

I felt her hands on my shoulders as she started to rub them she said, "I can teach her too."

I smile at the door, mostly out of how nice this felt as I say, "Are you sure, I'm sure it would be another thing to made Dunkerque mad."

"Oui, it would. But she is clearly mad now, mad enough to point out that she would still teach her, but did not want to deal with you." she said to me, I could almost hear the smirk on her lips as she pointed that out.

I felt her thumbs press on a knot in my shoulders and I moaned and almost collapsed from the wave of release it gave me, from behind I heard her giggle out, "Was that good for you?"

"You have no idea…" I say back before heading back to the living room to sit on the couch. Algérie joined me there, taking my hand in hers and smiling at me, I wanted to kiss her, her lips looked so soft.

But she put the brakes on that one, when she said to me, "It is good that we are getting a detachment from the Iris; even if there will be difficulties with the Vichya and the Iris… It will give me a chance to seek permission from the Cardinal to look into a personal relationship."

Now I was confused, as far as I understood it, 'Cardinal' was another name for Richelieu of the Iris. I was about to ask about it when Algérie all but read my mind by saying, "Those of us in the Vichya have a complicated relationship with those of the Iris, but when you get right down to it, we are still the Templar Knights of the Orthodoxy. Thus Richelieu's voice has much weight with me, and if she does not bless this, then I cannot explore it."

I sigh inwardly, so much for seeing if, as Cassidy put it, she wanted to have a sleepover. She picked up on my sigh and leaned over to kiss my cheek as she said, "I will head home for the night, but have faith Daniel, I am sure that Richelieu will have not problem with allow me to explore this, provided I have not violated one of my vows as a Templar Knight."

I turn slightly to look at her, tilting my head to the side as I ask, maybe this isn't something I should ask, but well the door was open now, and before I knew it, that horse had left the barn, "So… what vow are you talking about?"

Her cheeks went red, bright red. I thought for sure that she would be mad that I asked, but well, I wanted to know. I watch as she runs a hand through her hair, and tries to avoid eye contact as she mumbles something out, low enough that I missed it, so I say, "I'm sorry, could you say that again, I missed it…"

She went a brighter red, sipped her wine, leaned in, and whispered in my ear, "I must remain a maiden, so long as it does not conflict with wifely duties."

Oh. Huh… I hadn't really thought about that. I need to do some reading on kansen… I knew outwardly they looked like women, but could they? If they could, could other things be possible?

In my state of building questions, Algérie leaned over and kissed me before she broke the kiss and stroked my right cheek as she said, "Have faith that this will work out Daniel, faith is always rewarded."

Forgetting what I was thinking about, I stroke her right cheek as I say, "That would be a nice change…"

She looks sad at me, getting off the couch she kneeled in front of me, taking both of my hands in hers as she asked, "When was the last time you talked to God?"

I sigh and look down before I said, "When I begged him to spare Savanna, Cassidy's mother."

"Ah." Was all she said before she lowered her head and asked, "Would you try again, for me?"

"For you, I'll try." I said to her and closed my eyes, I had no idea what to say or do like this anymore. I felt her squeeze my hands. I tried to center myself and I asked if Savanna was doing well, when no answer came, I sighed inwardly.

When I opened my eyes again, I felt Algérie's lips on my forehead before she said to me, "Good night Daniel, I would like to do this again and give my best to Cassidy when she gets up."

"I will... sleep well Algérie." I say back to her and I walk her to the door to see her off for the night.

After I finish cleaning up, I head up to bed myself and it's not long after I'm asleep. But this night was different; I had a dream, a dream that felt a little too real. I found myself walking into the kitchen of the house I had in Norfolk, standing by the island in there was a smiling blond woman, and she grinned at me and said with a southern drawl that I knew so very well, "Hello, Sailor."

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A/N: Chapter three down. A little faith, a little supernatural stuff and some shifts in the relationships. Thank you to everyone that gives my work any attention, thank you to everyone that takes the time to leave a review, I read every one of them, and thank you to everyone that has PM'ed me. I'm so very happy that so many people like this one so far, and I hope I can keep up your expectations.