"Oh my god!"

"Nathan!"

Nathan's head was filled with fog. He groaned weakly and stretched his nose out, sensing his captain's presence was near.

"I'm sorry.." he rasped.

"For what?"

Nathan felt Chandler's hand on his nose.

"It's okay Nathan. I'm here." He said.

"Where am I?" Nathan murmured, unable to open his eyes for some reason.

"Norfolk, we took control of your engine plant and sailed you here." Chandler replied.

"Arleigh? Is Arleigh here?" Nathan asked, trying to raise his head.

"Shh, yes. Yes he's here. He's fine. Dr. Scott gave him the vaccine." Chandler replied.

Nathan sighed in relief, visibly relaxing. "Our boys?" He asked.

"A skeleton crew is on board, attempting to repair the damage you suffered. The rest is out searching the city." Chandler replied.

"What's the damage, captain?" Nathan asked.

"You took a shell to your skull. But you got lucky. It only took out your hull. The wiring's all been replaced and welding should begin tomorrow. You'll be cleared for duty by the end of the week." Chandler replied.

"Mm. That's good to hear. Why-why can't I see though?" Nathan asked.

"Cloth over your eyes. A safety measure." Chandler replied.

Nathan nodded. He was notorious for going stir crazy if stuck in the same place for long periods of time. Putting a cloth over his eyes was a safety measure. If he couldn't see, he was less likely to lose it and try to escape.

"How's everyone's holding up?" He asked.

"Some found their families and some..." Chandler broke off but Nathan nodded, he understood.

"New York. She sacrificed herself for me." He said.

"I know. I saw the explosion." Chandler murmured, his voice carrying sympathy. "Nathan, there's something I have to tell you."

"I'm listening captain." Nathan replied.

"I'm resigning my commission. You know what people out there are willing to do to get the cure and as long as we're leading the mission we're a target. I will not risk having my judgement affected because I'm worried for my families' safety." Chandler said.

"NO!" Nathan roared, so loudly that all ships looked over at the pair. Nathan righted himself. "You will not resign! I won't let you!" His teeth were bared and behind the cloth, his eyes blazed with fury. "We've come so far, we can't give up now. The crew needs you, I need you!"

"And they don't!" Chandler retorted. "What if I don't come back and make those kids orphans?!"

Nathan sighed and thought for a moment before replying "You think you aren't the first soldier who had to leave his family behind? Royal Naval officers put their wives and children in bunkers in London while they went to fight the Nazi's, for years!"

"Wives and children. The wives were there..." Chandler murmured brokenly.

"I know you. And I know you're beating yourself up but if you're looking for someone to blame, blame me." Nathan growled. "I should've come right back as soon as I'd learned something. But don't trip on yourself, there's no time for it. Whether you like it or not, you're Noah and I'm your Ark." To the controller he growled "Open the gates."

The drydock was flooded and Nathan angrily stormed out into the harbor, leaving his captain behind at the dock. But the message got through. Chandler, with new determination in his eyes, gazed after him. "Alright then."

He rejoined Nathan farther down the dock. "You were right." He said. "I was wrong, I'm sorry."

Nathan leveled his gaze on him. "We're in this together now, until the end."

"Until the end." Chandler agreed. He stroked his ship's nose before climbing aboard. Dr. Scott joined him on the foredeck. She was showing signs of advanced pregnancy. "How long?" Chandler asked.

"Any day now." Dr. Scott replied.

"The surgeon ready as soon as you go into labor." Chandler said. Nathan shifted underneath them nervously.

"I'll be fine." Dr. Scott assured him and the ship relaxed.

Nathan weighed anchor and on his way out he passed Arleigh. "Good luck little brother." The older ship said.

"You too." Nathan replied, nuzzling him.

Arleigh watched him until he vanished over the horizon.