A/N: Thank you everyone for the reviews and the views. I hope you enjoy the update and please keep the reviews coming. I wished to update sooner, but work and family issues kept me busy past couple days.

Chapter 1

United States Naval Base Pearl Harbor

Territory of Hawaii

July 2, 1941

The rust streak hull of the US navy transport dropped anchor in the Middle loch of the natural harbor that now housed the US Pacific Fleet. A gangway was then slowly lowered over the side as the passengers on board the transport assigned to Pearl Harbor prepared to disembark. A navy chief made his way over to the gangway as a couple of sailors removed the railing from the side. "All personnel assigned to Pearl Harbor make their way to the gangway. Nurses, you are first down."

"Hey chief, why are they being let down first?" An ensign coming near the railing stated as the nurses started to arrive by the railing. "I have to get to the Arizona."

"If you have a problem with it Ensign, you can take it up with the captain." The Chief scolded the Ensign. No other officer reprimanded the chief including a Captain. He looked to the nurses to which he focused on the brunette Lieutenant leading the five nurses. "Lieutenant, you and your nurses will take the first whale boat. All your gear is being lowered now."

The lieutenant, who was dressed in her dress whites, smiled and nodded to the Chief. "Thank you Chief."

"Kate it looks beautiful here." The blonde hair 5'8" nurse next to her stated as she looked out across the harbor past the US Fleet at anchor and towards the interior of the island.

Lieutenant Kate Beckett nodded her head in agreement as she also looked out across the island. 33 years old, she originally wanted to go to school to become an actress, yet when her mother was murdered she returned home to New York to be close to help her father grieve and help him fight the alcoholism that was slowly taking over his life. Then one day a couple months into his recover Jim Beckett told his daughter that to help people like her mother. After being rejected by the New York City Police Department, she decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and go to nursing school. Yet she still felt incomplete, so one day she walked into the Navy recruiting office after graduation and joined the navy. She originally was assigned to the Washington Navy Yard, then to Brooklyn, but when a chance to go to Hawaii and escape New York and the memory of the unsolved murder of her mother she took it. Now here she was in what is called the most desirable duty assignment in all of the United States Navy. "Sure is Gina. Come on lets go check in."

"Ma'am all your gear is in the whale boat. They'll be taking you past battleship row." The chief told Kate.

Kate nodded again and saluted. "Thanks Chief. Request permission to go to shore."

"Permission granted." The chief replied returning the salute.

Kate and the four nurses with her made their way gingerly down the gangway to the motorized whaleboat. They were helped aboard by the crew of the whaleboat. Once they were aboard, they pushed off from the transport so the next whale boat could take their spot. Kate looked at the boatswain Petty officer who was steering the craft. "How long to the landing?"

The Petty officer looked at his watch real quick. "20 minutes ma'am. Usually quicker but the north landing is under maintenance so we have to take you to the south landing."

Kate nodded as they boat continued to motor towards the landing on the other side of Ford Island. Across Ford Island, the pride of the fleet, the USS Arizona was alive with activity. The crew was going about the daily routine of maintaining a ship while she was in port. On the starboard side in a battery of anti-aircraft guns a group of sailors and one officer were training on the weapons. The tall officer 6'1" dressed in khakis looked out as his sailors practiced tracking aircraft and firing. He looked at a stopwatch. "Reload."

The loaders and gunners began the process of the swapping out the ammo drums and barrels on the 50 caliber machine guns, while on the five inch batteries, the crews began to restock the shell in the holders behind the guns. "Time."

The crews stopped and looked at the officer. He looked at them and shook his head. "Prior to us going out we were faster than fleet standards, now we are at fleet standards." Lieutenant Richard Castle told them.

Lieutenant Richard Castle, was an Annapolis graduate and single father whose daughter was with him on the island. He was born to a lady who was a Broadway star and whose father served in World War 1 and was listed as killed in action on the Western Front though no body was found. Yet his father for his actions was awarded the Medal of Honor for taking out 4 machine gun nest and artillery spotter prior to going missing. With the medal, he had the choice of entering the service academies, and despite his father serving in the army, he was always drawn to the sea, so Richard Castle chose Annapolis. He rose through the ranks due to his dedication to his duty and learned everything he could about his assignments which earned him the promotions faster than some of his classmates. He married an upcoming actress whom he met in New York but she proved not to be a camp follower, and the marriage fell apart after a couple years, leaving him with a daughter that mother didn't want to raise due to the risk of her career. Faced with discharged, his mother, whom was proud to be a grandmother, retired from Broadway and followed her son to various duty assignments or kept the daughter, Alexis, at home when he left on deployments. Martha Rodgers no matter where she went with her family always entertain the sailors, officers and Marines with shows that kept up the spirits. So when the assignment to the USS Arizona and later Pearl Harbor came up the family followed Lieutenant Castle to Hawaii.

"Oh come on sir, that's because we lost Richardson to battery 3 aft, and the new guy isn't up to speed yet." Gunners mate 3rd class Kevin Ryan stated pointing at the young seaman whom they picked up on their last trip to the West Coast. "We still are ahead of Lieutenant Bracken's battery aren't we?"

"Sorry Ryan, we are right pace with them." Lieutenant Castle stated as he set the watch in his pocket and looked at his battery.

"And we'll soon past your sorry battery to be the best on the ship." Lieutenant William Bracken smirked as he came over and looked over Castle's battery. "Your battery is looking a little disheveled Castle."

Castle didn't even take the bait or turn around. "Bracken, why don't you go back to your battery and give them grief. God knows I hear it enough from them."

"Because I instill discipline and fear in my men. Unlike the friendly relationship you got." Lieutenant Bracken again smirked. He turned to the battery. "Besides we're Americans, we ain't going to get stopped by no yellow face Jap or lose our rudder to biplanes like those dirty Huns."

"Those biplanes disabled the greatest warship on the planet Bracken despite heavy anti-aircraft fire." Castle said now turning around and coming face to face with him. "That raid sent that warship to its death against the royal navy. So you better face the facts of a new age or transfer off."

"That a threat?" Lieutenant Bracken said stepping closer to Castle.

Castle shook his head. "Friendly advice."

Bracken sized up Castle before backing off realizing too many witness who had loyalties to their officer were about. "We'll finish this later."

"I bet we will." Castle remarked. He shook his head and turned back around as Bracken left and looked at his battery. "Take 10 minutes. Esposito a word?"

Gunner's mate 2nd class Javier Esposito nodded and came over to Castle. "Yes sir?"

"How do you feel moving the kid over to your five inch and making him a loader?" Castle asked crossing his arms and looking over the crews taking their break.

"I would feel better keeping him on the fifty sir. I have a good team that I don't want to mess with." Esposito stated as he also looked at the battery. "I can work with him sir during some down time."

Castle nodded and looked at Esposito. "Alright thanks Esposito."

Esposito nodded and moved back off towards his gun as Castle moved towards the railing. He looked at the harbor which was busy. He then heard the catcalls coming down the railings of his ship. He noticed the whaleboat making its way towards the south land.

"Ryan check out, new nurses coming in." Esposito stated as they came to the railing. Every sailor aboard waved at the nurses who were in their dress whites. "Come on, not a chance like this every day."

"Told you Esposito, my girl is waiting for me." Ryan stated as he came over to the railing himself. He got a look at the females inside the whale boat though. "The blonde seems really good looking."

"I love the one in the black hair." Esposito stated as he continued to look as the boat cruised on by. He tossed a glance down towards Lieutenant Castle. "Man never takes advantage of the opportunity to sample."

"Has a daughter to think about Esposito." Ryan replied as he turned away from the railing and looked Esposito in the face. Hoping that their officer didn't hear them he continued on. "I can appreciate that."

Castle had heard them but his eyes were locked on the stunning beauty of the nurse at the head of the whale boat that had the brunette hair. He shook his head clearing the image from his mind, before turning back to his sailors. "Alright back on your guns men, let's try it again."

The men groaned and moved back to their stations. As for the new nurses, the whale boat took another five minutes to arrive at the landing. As they tied off, sailors helped the nurses out of the boat and up the dock towards buses that would take them to the naval hospital Pearl Harbor. Kate waited until the last nurse was on board before nodding to the driver. She sat down next to Gina. "What was up with all the men whistling and waving to us?"

"I heard the men to female ratio on the island is pretty heavily favored towards men, so new woman are welcomed. We'll have our pick here." Gina told her as the pulled away from the dock and towards the road.

Kate shook her head. "Not looking for love Gina just want to do my duty."

Gina looked at her friend and just shook her head. "Figured you say that."

Kate didn't respond as the bus pulled on to the main road.

Naval Hospital

Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii

The twenty minute drive to the hospital was remarkably uneventful and as the bus pulled up in front of the gleaming facility, a detail of hospital corpsman where waiting to take the bags of the new arrivals to their rooms. A female Lieutenant Commander was waiting for the nurses as they got off the bus. "Ladies, welcome to Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor. I'm Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Randall. If we can proceed inside to auditorium, Captain Bryan will give his instructions to you."

The nurses nodded and acknowledge the order and proceeded inside with Kate leading them to the auditorium where they moved to the front row and took a seat. The officer in charge of the hospital Captain Jeffery Bryan waited for the last nurse to sit down. "Good morning ladies, and welcome to Naval Hospital Pearl Harbor. I'm Captain Jeffery Bryan, the commanding officer of the hospital. A couple things before we get started. This hospital handles all cases, along with a couple hospital ships in the harbor. We can handle everything from small injuries to the largest burns and bullet wounds. We treated an aircraft crash victim last week."

Captain Bryan shifted on his feet as he continued. "Now I have three new care ward nurses, two surgical nurses in this group. You will meet up with your departments as soon as you are settled. Lieutenant Commander Randall overseas all nurses assigned here. Now, you may have heard that the female to male ratio is pretty low, so you will be assigned berthing here at the hospital. Liberty passes will be passed out daily and liberty ends at midnight unless you had the night duty. Are there any married women amongst us?"

None of the nurses raised their hands. So Captain Bryan continued. "Okay, if there was you would be issued a card stating that you are married and live probably off post. Since you are all single, I have to remind you that if you become pregnant and wish to keep the child to raise, it is Navy policy to discharge you with honorable mentions. Any questions so far?"

There were none, so Captain Bryan motioned the young lady to come near him. She heard the murmurs. "This is Dr. Lanie Parrish, and she is a close friend of mine from medical school. She runs a clinic in Honolulu. She is always looking for volunteers, and I highly recommend it. She sees everybody and is always looking for help. Nurses who do volunteer will be rewarded. Any questions?"

Again there were none. So Captain Bryan decided to end the briefing. "Alright, Commander Randall they are all yours, get them settled, and have them report to their departments."

"Aye Aye sir. Attention on Deck." Commander Randall stated. The nurses jumped to their feet and waited until the captain told them to at ease. Commander Randall moved to the front. "Alright we will report to personnel where you will present your orders and personnel folders, have your pay brought up to date, and receive your berthing keys. Your belongings are already there in your rooms. Any Questions?"

None were asked so Commander Randall had the ladies come to their feet and led them out of the auditorium.

Gina turned to Kate as they arrived at personnel. "Are you going to work with the black girl?"

"Come on Gina, I thought you were better than that?" Kate asked but Gina turned around as the line shifted forward. Kate just shook her head at her friend.

USS Arizona

Battleship Row

"That's a little better guys. We'll take another break here, make 10 minutes." Lieutenant Castle said to his battery. They had been drilling for the past hour and the men were starting to grumble. Castle again moved towards the railing, to where the image of the nurse with brunette hair popped into his mind. He shook the image from his head.

"Lieutenant Castle?" A sailor called out for him. Castle turned around seeing the yeoman coming towards him. The yeoman stopped in front of him and came to attention. "Captain Valkenburgh wants to see you in the flag plot."

"Thank you." Castle remarked as the yeoman nodded and moved off. Castle turned to his chief near the guns. "Chief Smith."

"Sir?" Chief Smith stated by turning around and coming towards Lieutenant Castle.

Castle waited till the man was closer. "If I am not back in time, continue to have the men train."

"Aye Aye sir." Chief Smith remarked with a smile.

Castle returned the smile and moved off towards the hatchway that would take him to the interior of the ship. A couple of sailors gave way to let him pass. In a couple minutes he arrived at the flag plot with a Marine standing outside. "Lieutenant Castle to see the Captain."

The Marine nodded and knocked on the door. He saluted since he was under arms and announced Castle. Castle walked in and strolled towards the Captain who was working with Admirial Kidds staff. Capatain Valkenburgh was well liked by the crew and turned around and smiled at Castle. "Rick at ease and remain standing."

"Yes sir." Castle remarked now a little nervous.

Captain Valkenburgh smiled and chuckled. "Relax its nothing bad. Admiral Kidd and I need you to get a physical done."

"I just had one sir." Castle stated.

"I know, but this is a promotion physical." Captain Valkenburgh stated. He smiled when he saw Castle's confusion. He decided to let him on the secret. "You have been selected early for Lieutenant Commander, and I'm promoting you to Gunnery Officer. You have the best record in the division and came recommended by Sam."

Lieutenant Commander Samuel Douglas was the current gunnery officer. Captain Valkenburgh still saw the confusion. "Sam is taking over a executive officer spot on a cruiser on the East Coast, and the XO is getting a destroyer command here at Pearl."

Castle now caught on. "Oh good for Commander Richards. I'll go see Pearlmutter."

Captain Valkenburgh shook his head. "Lieutenant Pearlmutter is temporaly assigned to Naval Hospital San Diego for infectious disease course. He won't be back till the end of month. Go to the Naval Hospital here and see Captain Bryan. We need this done by the fourth so we can get it to the states on the next courier flight so you can be promoted by the first."

Castle nodded. "I'll head over in the morning skipper."

"Thank you Rick and congratulations." Captain Valkenburgh smiled at his new gunnery officer. He decided to drop the ball now on him. "Listen we have a new ensign coming aboard, so he'll take over your anti-air battery. So you have time to get him trained."

"I'll think I'll leave that to Chief Smith skipper." Castle laughed. He shook the Captain's hand. "Don't worry sir we'll get him trained.

Captain Valkenburgh nodded and Castle left the Flag plot.