For days, Watertown had been feeling tired, ill even. A few of her crew were exhibiting similar symptoms so she assumed it was some kind of stomach bug, likely started by her. But if it was, then why hadn't spread to the rest of the crew. She ignored the lingering questions for the time being and continued on her duties, despite the fact that her stomach problems continued and she began to run a fever, feeling lightheaded.

She was feeling rather dizzy when she hit those sailboats. She barely registered the pain, even though her bloody nose from the event left a blood trail in the water behind her. She was vaguely aware of a helicopter inbound carrying two JAG lawyers. Holding as still as she could as they were lowered down, she relied on her crew to keep her straight. Her vision was swimming, her head pounding worse than ever. Once they were aboard and with the arctic ice fast approaching, Watertown dove to 400 feet. She always found the ice a beautiful sight from underneath it but as it was she could barely see it's beauty.

Turning her attention inward, Watertown hoped a nice prank would get her mind off her issues. She focused on the major. The marine was sleeping in the second rack, just beneath her partner Lt Commander Rabb. Smirking, she activated the compactor. The crash sent the major leaping out of bed, afraid something had happened to the submarine. Watertown was secretly touched by her concern but the submarine merely stifled a snicker.

"Just the compactor major." She said. "Nothing to worry about."

Mac faked a chuckle before growling "Snap to!"

Her authoritative tone made Watertown do so at once, fins slapped firmly against her sides. Briefly her depth increased as she began to sink until she quickly corrected it.

"Let's get something straight. While I'm aboard this boat, you will treat me with the respect due an officer. If I find this lacking in any way, I will drive you to an undersea mount and feed your ass to the crabs!" Mac growled.

Watertown swallowed. "Understood ma'am." She replied, noticing Lt Commander Rabb was laughing silently as he peeked his head out. Mac saw him and eyes widening slightly, he disappeared again. Watertown learned not to mess with her again after that. The submarine sighed. "So much for fun." She grumbled.

The next day, Watertown felt something was wrong with one of her main ballast tank valves. One was weaker than the rest and it felt as though it might blow. Her sick feeling had returned with a vengeance and she was puking her guts out every few minutes, chunks of whatever she'd managed to eat floating past her. Pain clawed at her insides as cramps plagued her. Fins twitching as she puked bile she squealed suddenly as the valve broke. The compressed air hit an unlucky petty officer, bursting his heart and killing him instantly. He didn't stand a chance. This was the first time she'd lost a crewman and she whimpered, fighting back tears. A fin snapped up to salute her fallen comrade before the submarine turned back to her duties at hand.

Later reports came that one of the three men who'd taken ill on the XO's watch earlier in the week was not recovering. In fact he was getting worse. The doctor reported it as Hepatitis A. Watertown had already done her research on the disease and she knew how he'd come to that diagnosis. He'd mixed the petty officer's blood sample with her own. The submarine had recognized the signs at once. At first she'd thought it was influenza but as the days dragged by she realized it was something else. Still though, she said nothing and none of her crew were any the wiser of her condition.

Watertown learned that her CMO was the man responsible for the death aboard her and when the helicopter came to pick him and the JAG lawyers up she threw him into the water and attempted to snatch him up. He got lucky as the helo got the harness on him and pulled him to safety but not before he noticed his submarine's pale complexion, and the yellowing around her eyes. A clear indication of jaundices.

"Let me go!" He cried. "She needs me!"

The helicopter crew, if they heard, didn't care. He was a criminal after all, facing a charge of manslaughter, negligence, dereliction of duty etc. Frustrated by their inaction, Watertown's CMO pulled a string and detached from the helo, splashing down in the water beside her. Watertown was on him in an instant.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now!" She snarled.

"Because you can't even focus enough to do the deed, you'd just as soon puke me up as soon as you swallowed me, and I can tell the whole crew right now that you're hiding the fact that you have Hepatitis A!" He replied.

"They won't believe you." She hissed.

"Oh yeah? One look at you rings all the green lights for it. Textbook case of symptoms." He answered.

"Damn you." She growled and let him go. She settled back on the water, eyes flickering up to Mac. She was pleading for help but she didn't look to her captain, nor her CMO. She looked to the only other female around, Mac.

The Marine major was surprised but she steeled herself as any good officer would. "Tell me what to do." She growled to the CMO.

Within minutes a bigger harness was lowered and Watertown was carried by three helicopters to the nearest submarine hospital. She'd remain there for the next 6 weeks. An IV gave her fluids and nutrients since she couldn't seem to keep anything down. Watertown soon found herself fighting for her life. Her CMO was incarcerated upon her return and discharged from the navy. Although her captain came to visit her as often as he could in between the court proceedings, it was Mac whom, upon Watertown's request, remained at her side the whole time. The marine was as tough as nails and despite her dislike of submarines, found that she was starting to care for the Los Angeles-class.

Watertown slept for the most part with Mac rubbing soothing circles on her hull. She admired Watertown's clean lines and lean muscles. Despite her illness, the submarine had a very strong frame. Stronger than most other ships in the fleet. When Watertown was awake, she was either loopy from the morphine, shivering and sweating from her high fever which just wouldn't break despite the doctor's best efforts, or she was filling a pan with diarrhea 90% of the time. The rest was spent telling jokes and exchanging war stories with her marine friend. Both had a lot in common as it turns out.

"I'm sorry I snapped at you over that compactor. You were just trying to have a little fun." Mac said.

"Water under the bridge, major." Watertown replied with a smirk. "Besides, I enjoyed your reaction even though you had me scared shitless."

"Did I now? Interesting." Mac mused.

"Never underestimate a marine." Watertown laughed. She instantly regretted it, the motion causing her to dryheave again. Mac placed a bucket under her head as a few drops of bile found their way into the bottom of it. "You really should have something. Soda, water? Anything to throw up."

Watertown sighed. "I'm a submarine ma'am. I can afford to be tough." She replied. Mac gave her hull a pat.

"Get some rest. I'm going down to the cafeteria. Want anything?" She asked.

"I'd take a salmon fillet but I'd probably just throw it right back up again." Watertown replied.

"You'll be better soon." Mac assured and left.

Watertown sighed. Mac was right, rest would do her some good and she was feeling sleepy again. Yawning, she reached up with a fin, and turned out the light.

...

After nearly 3 months in the hospital, Watertown was released and sent back to her berth for an additional 2 weeks of recovery time. After that, she'd take a physical to determine her state of readiness. In the meantime however, she was just happy to be back in the water. Feeling quite giddy she chased her stern as she zipped around the harbor, squealing with glee. Mac chuckled. She was happy to see her friend so joyful. Jaws parted and tongue lolling, Watertown sailed up to her.

"Fancy a joyride, major?" She asked. "Surface the whole time. You can ride at the top of my sail."

"Why I'd be honored Watertown." Mac replied. Watertown giggled as she stepped across.

Lt. Rabb arrived at Watertown's berth only to find the submarine missing. "Excuse me." He said to a nearby dockworker. "Where's USS Watertown?"

The man chuckled and pointed out to the harbor. "Giving free tours, sir." He replied.

Watertown could be seen zipping about from place to place, giving Mac a full guided tour of the submarine base. Lt. Rabb chuckled, finding the sight of the pair adorable. "Sometimes what girls need are other girls." He said.