Night fell as the fleet closed in on the last 100 miles towards Tonga. Isaac had opted to take refuge from the cold in Eagle's command bridge. He had been keeping watch over the Rodney and the survivors she carried.
"Rodney, report." Isaac said, the tone of sleep deprivation creeping in on his voice.
"All green Commander. Nobody seems interested in snooping around. And it seems they just want to get to dry land as soon as possible." Rodney replied.
"Good. Glad to hear they arent giving you problems." Isaac said with a yawn.
"Sir, if I may suggest. Get some rest. We can manage the transfer in Tonga ourselves. I see no reason why you should torture yourself this way." Rodney said.
"I'm the Commander. It's my duty to ensure all under my charge are looked after." Isaac said.
"I see. Well we appreciate the effort, sir. But once we land in Tonga, i would suggest a stay of 24 hours so you can rest and we can figure out what our next move is. Fiji is the next island but after that, we will have no port of call. After Fiji, its do or die and we need to be ready, you included." Rodney said.
"We may just do that, Rodney." Isaac said. As if on cue, Eagle walked in carrying to steaming mugs.
"Coffee?" Isaac asked as he took the mug.
"Tea. After all, us royals don't drink such repugnant beverages." Eagle said as she sipped her mug happily.
"I see. Well, its too late for coffee anyway. I drink that, who knows when I'll sleep next." Isaac said as he drank from his mug.
"How is it?" Eagle asked, her anticipation for his answer wasn't hidden in the slightest.
"While tea isn't my go to. I have to say, this isn't bad. I've had a lot worse from the british sailors that came to my port for repairs." Isaac said.
"Thank you. I'm glad you like it." Eagle said as she sat on the desk next to him.
"How does it feel?" Eagle asked.
"What do you mean?" Isaac asked in returm, thoroughly confused.
"Being with us. Being the only free man on earth. Being alive. Having those in your fleet look at you like a potential lover?" Eagle rambled before settling on her true question.
"The first three I've come to terms with. But having girls in my fleet attracted to me, as a potential lover?" Isaac said, thinking back to what he read in another part of the old commanders journal.
× ... After enough time, the girls start to act more womanly. I have tried to remain as neutral as I can when it comes to their feelings but I think I'm close to caving. Hood and Helena especially. Those two, their charm makes it almost impossible to resist wanting them. I don't think it's wrong, but I must be careful not to allow it to overreach and disrupt my duty... × Isaac remembered reading.
"Well. I think it's nice. To have those in my fleet see me in such a way, makes me feel like im doing something right. And it's not like I have anyone at home anymore. So maybe a companion among the fleet might be good." Isaac thought aloud. He turned just in time to see Eagle blush a bright red.
"Why do you ask?" Isaac asked. Clearly noting her body language and blush.
"I... uh.. well." Eagle stammers before Isaac stops her.
"Youre not doing a good job hiding the fact that one of said girls in my fleet, is you." Isaac said.
"Quiet! I wasnt trying to hide it. I just wasn't expecting you to accept it so easily." Eagle said.
"Eagle. Youre a very important person to me. My trusted flagship, a friend, and a powerful ally. If I were to begin down this path, i dont think I could start anywhere else." Isaac whispered before returning her kiss on the cheek from earlier. He took his tea out onto the balcony of the bridge and watched over his fleet and the sea beyond.
Eagle nearly fainted the moment his lips touched her skin. She looked at him from behind and slowly made her way to him.
"That being said, Eagle. I cannot let relationships interfere with my duty as commander." Isaac said.
"I understand that, Commander." Eagle said as she straightened her posture.
"I think I'll take Rodney's advice. Eagle, I'll be in the captain's quarters resting. Alert the fleet that once we reach Tonga, we will have a stay of 24 hours. Refuel, take in the sights, trade if they have any fresh food." Isaac said as he looked at Eagle.
"Understood. Rest well, Commander." Eagle said with a wink.
Isaac shook his head.
"Two out of eight already see me like that?" Isaac thought to himself.
Isaac opened the door to the Captain's quarters as he hung up his jacket. It was too light and would need something heavier sooner rather than later. He looked around before shutting the door and removing his boots. He sat on the bed and looked at his clothes.
"Maybe I can get some new clothes if we stop in Fiji. There's no place to wash these and they smell awful." Isaac said softly.
Isaac then spotted a door behind the one he had closed. Opening it revealed a shower. Turning it on, he was surprised it had hot water.
"Screw that! I'm getting a shower before these clothes get washed." Isaac said excitedly. After withstanding the chill of the Midnight Pacific, he was rewarded by having all the chill washed away. After fifteen minutes of enjoying such luxury, Isaac washed and stepped out of the shower, throwing his clothes in to wash next. A towel had mysteriously appeared on the sink without Isaac realizing it hadnt been there before. He grabbed it and dried off before turning to wash his clothes.
Down the hall from the Captain's quarters, Eagle had covered her face with her hands. She had a healthy blush covering her entire face. She had intended to bring Isaac a towel since she knew he'd find the shower. But she had caught a glimpse of him in the shower before she left.
"I don't think there's a man back home built like him. My goodness." Eagle whispered to herself, fanning her chest to dispel her lewd thoughts.
Isaac had just finished washing his clothes. The stench of nearly a month washed away with soap and hot water. He hung them up on the hooks by the door before walking back into the main part of the room. Opening his bag, he found a pair of shorts he could wear to bed. Putting them on and hanging up the towel, Isaac slipped under the covers and quickly fell asleep.
The next morning came quickly after a good night's sleep. Isaac rose, no longer feeling that they were moving.
"I guess we made it to Tonga." Isaac said as he stretched and threw on his still damp shirt. Making his way above deck, he felt the heat of the pacific sun beating down. The wood and metal of the flight deck reflecting the heat back up.
Sure enough, the fleet had made port in the decently large city of Nuku'alofa.
"Nice view." Isaac said.
"Yes. I would have to agree." Eagle replied as she stood behind him.
"The water us crystal clear and the sky is a healthy blue." Isaac said.
"Oh.. yeah. That's what you meant." Eagle trailed off.
"Well of course, what did you think I meant?" Isaac asked as he turned fully to face her. Her face turned beet red.
"Are you okay? It is a bit warmer today so you might not have adjusted to the temperature yet." Isaac said as he stepped closer.
"No! No. It's fine. I'm fine. Just...uh... yeah. Im still a bit cold so the heat is making my face red." Eagle said.
"You're terrible at lying." Isaac said.
"I know." Eagle replied.
"Spill it." Isaac said, keeping his tone neutral as to not give her the notion that he was commanding her.
"I brought you a towel last night since i figured you'd find the shower. It was supposed to be an in and out thing... but..." Eagle stopped, too embarrassed to continue.
"But?" Isaac asked.
"I... saw you... in the shower." Eagle finally admitted after accepting her fate.
"Ah. I see. Is that why you were acting strange a bit ago, because you saw me?" Isaac asked.
"Not just that I saw you... but I think... I liked what I saw too." Eagle admitted as she stepped a bit closer to him.
"I see. Well, we have 24 hours. Let's get off the ship and enjoy the day, huh? Maybe we can learn a bit more about each other in the process." Isaac suggested. Eagle nodded excitedly.
"I'd love to!" She exclaimed before clamping her mouth.
"Wow. Someone's excited." Isaac said before lettingnout a hearty chuckle.
"Shut up, Commander." Eagle retorted, embarrassed even further at her inability to conceal her emotions.
"Well, let's go." Isaac said as he held out his hand, which Eagle gladly took in her own.