She was doing it again.

"It really bothers me when she does that."

"She knows what she's doing," Yorktown said reassuringly, although I failed to take much if any, comfort from that.

"I know," I sighed, "but still…does she have to stand right on the cowling like that?"

I glanced back over at Enterprise, still standing on the engine of her SBD as we cruised over the island at five thousand feet. Behind me, Yorktown giggled. "She's always been daring like that. Just try not to worry about it."

"He still frettin' over Enterprise?" Hornet cut in as she formed up on her sister's wing. Unlike Enterprise and myself, who were flying SBDs, Hornet had taken up one of her new F6F Hellcats.

Just how in the hell did Hornet know that? "Did you cut in on our private channel?" I asked in an accusatory tone, looking over at her aircraft.

Her laugh filled my headset as I saw her shake her head. "Naw. But you've been staring at her this entire time, kinda figured you were either concerned or you'd slipped a disk and couldn't move your neck."

"Ha ha," I drolled. "But yeah, it just bugs me when she does something that dangerous."

"Says the guy who almost got turned into a vegetable."

"There was a reason for that!" I shot back. "It wasn't like I was doing it for fun."

There was a pause on the other line. "Would you ever go in there for fun?"

"Hell, no," I emphatically denied. "I almost got turned into a potato and I don't think that really qualifies as an acceptable risk for 'fun'. I can have plenty of fun out here, with real people. Besides, everyone knows potatoes don't have rights." My eyes lingered on her Hellcat for a moment. "Speaking of people to have fun with, I'm surprised you aren't up here with Northampton, Hornet."

"Ah, she decided to stay on the ground and keep Hammann company," Hornet sighed. "She's not much one for flying. Besides, unlike y'all, I don't have an SBD just lying around for joyriding, and after hearing about your troubles with the SB2C, I sure as hell ain't gettin' in it. So I decided to take this beauty up for a spin."

"And how're you liking it so far?"

Even over the radio, I could hear the grin in Hornet's voice. "Handles like a dream! Haven't properly put her through her paces yet, but just feeling her out on takeoff and landing, I think we've got ourselves a first-rate warbird on our hands."

"Good to hear." I stared at the Hellcat for a bit longer, focusing on something just below and ahead of the cockpit. A black flag with the skull and bones on it. "Say, Hornet…your Hellcat, that wouldn't be from VF-17, would it?"

There was a moment of radio silence as I saw Hornet looking frantically around the cockpit. "Y-yeah," she finally replied, a touch of amazement in her voice. "How did you…?"

"Reality Lens," I answered. "The Hornet there mentioned her Hellcats were from VF-17, and their insignia is the Jolly Roger flag."

"You been studyin' up on me, Max?" Hornet teased.

"Nah," I laughed. "In the Reality Lens, we all went to a movie featuring VF-17's successor, VF-84. Same logo, but on jets."

"Whoa, they had jets?!" Hornet exclaimed. "How come we don't have jets?"

"These were manned jets, not the automated ones you can control with your rigging," I explained. "Back when our navies needed people, not kansen, to crew them."

"But…you said there were kansen in that world, too, right?" Yorktown interjected.

"Right," I confirmed. "And mass-produced ships, too. But it was also…in the future, too? The day-to-day levels of technology people utilized was ahead of our own. They had holograms and robot waiters and all kinds of fancy stuff."

"That sounds…rather anachronistic…and very confusing."

"It was," I wholeheartedly agreed. "I can't help but wonder how much of that was based on someone's memories, and how much of it was the Reality Lens trying to plug the gap." And that's what really bothered me. I'd been able to put it out of my mind for a while, dealing with Yorktown's return and just enjoying our time together, but now that things had started to slow down again, it came creeping back in.

Who was this Doctor Anzeel, and who was I to her? Hell, who was I? This wasn't the first time I'd had these memories of her, along with this other world. But were they truly mine? And if they were, which me is the real me? That Recorder AI said only less than one percent of me matched the…me I'm supposed to be? The me I was? But what did that mean? Was that a genetic match, a memory match, a mental match? Hell, it could have been a comparison of our credit scores for all I knew! I needed to get this off my chest, but I still didn't quite feel comfortable telling Yorktown just yet. She had just recovered from a traumatic, months-long experience, I didn't want to burden her with this just yet.

"...that movie?" I suddenly realized Hornet had asked me a question, and lost in my own head, I almost completely missed it.

"Say again, had a bit of static on my end," I lied, trying to play it cool.

"Said, anything else cool about that movie?" Hornet repeated.

"Yeah, there's a-" An idea suddenly popped into my head, and I grinned to myself. "You know what, it'd probably be easier to show you. I think I can get TB to give me a copy of the film from the Reality Lens data. How about we do a double date? Movie night at our place. You bring Northampton and we'll watch it together, the four of us. If that's alright with you, Yorktown."

"I'd love that," Yorktown happily replied. "We'd need to finish unpacking and get a few things ready, but we'd be more than happy to have you guys over."

"It'll take a day or two at least before I can get the data from TB, so there's no rush. Besides, didn't you two mention a shopping spree earlier?"

Hornet's enthusiasm was nearly palpable. "Hell yeah! All of us Type-II gals are gonna go find some new outfits that fit us a bit better. You wanna come, Commander?"

"Not gonna lie, the thought of getting to watch a Yorktown fashion show is way more interesting than the mountain of paperwork that's waiting for me back at the office, but I'm afraid I can't put that off anymore." While Saratoga and the others had done a marvelous job holding down the fort for the month and a half I was at the Sea of Stars, there were some things they couldn't do.

"You sure you don't need me to help out?" Yorktown asked for the thirtieth time.

"Absolutely positive," I chuckled. "Enterprise and I can hold down the fort. You guys need new outfits. Besides, you've been cooped up in a hospital for months now, get out there, stretch your legs, have fun!"

"Speaking of Enterprise," Hornet said, "someone should get her attention for a fuel check."

"I got it," I answered as I pulled slightly ahead of her, waggling my wings before falling back into formation with her. When I was sure I had her attention, I tapped on my headset, indicating I wanted to talk to her.

Her voice came through the radio, nearly unrecognizable with the sound of the engine and wind blowing past her. "Everything alright?"

"Everything's just fine back here, making sure you're okay up there and doing a fuel check."

"I'm fine." There was a momentary pause as Enterprise checked her tank levels before answering. "About half a tank left. I think I've got another thirty minutes of flight time before I need to head back. How about you?"

I quickly looked at my fuel gauge and did some quick calculations. "About the same. Stay up for another twenty, then start heading back, sound good to everyone?"

There was a chorus of affirmations before Hornet spoke up. "Honestly, it's been too long since we've done this," she sighed happily. "Come to think of it, when was the last time we all flew together like this?"

"Oh…since…since before the war, I think," Yorktown said hesitantly, then answered more confidently as she remembered. "Yes. It was right before Max was assigned as our Commander, and we wanted to spend at least one more day together, relaxing, before things changed."

"Afraid I was going to break the band up, huh?" I smirked.

"We didn't know anything about you," Yorktown somewhat defensively blurted out. "We didn't know if you'd separate us, keep us together, or completely upend the structure."

"Well, I'd say I've well and truly upended things around here," I chuckled, "but in my defense, it wasn't by choice."

The girls laughed, and Enterprise spoke up. "True, but I think you've done an excellent job holding things together, Commander. I don't know if we'd still be together like this if it wasn't for you."

"High praise, coming from you, Enterprise. Thank you."

We fell into another long, but contented silence as we flew together into the setting sun…

After a long day of paperwork, I finally made it back to our apartment where Yorktown was waiting for me. She'd changed out of her angelic outfit and was wearing something more comfortable, pajama pants and a long-sleeved shirt with the words, "The Fighting Lady" emblazoned on the front. "Welcome home, Max," she smiled as she wrapped her arms around me. "How goes the battle against paperwork?"

"We were victorious," I grinned as I leaned in and planted a gentle kiss on her lips. "Between Enterprise and myself, we managed to get all of it knocked out. If you want, you can take over as my secretary as soon as tomorrow."

"I'd like that," she agreed, her smile becoming brighter before faltering for a moment. "However…I still need to train, get used to this rigging."

"And you will," I reassured her. "And I'll be right there with you, I promise."

She thought about it for about half a second before she nodded. "Very well, then. It'll also make it easier to schedule your flying lessons."

I gave her a quizzical look. "Flying lessons?" I repeated. "There's more to learn?"

"There's always more to learn," she giggled. "Besides, I was talking to Hornet while we were out shopping and, well, I have a surprise for you." She paused, and her cheeks flushed. "Actually, I have several surprises for you."

"Oh?" I asked, eyebrow raised. "What kind of surprises?"

"All in good time, Max, all in good time," she said with a somewhat flustered smile. "In the meantime, would you like to see some of the things I got on our shopping trip?"

"I'd love to."

Her smile broadened. "Take a seat and I'll show you."

As she disappeared into our bedroom, I sat down on the couch and got comfortable. Whilst I waited, I looked around the place and realized we'd almost completely unpacked. My life and hers, nearly fully comingled. Just a few small boxes to go through and we'd be all set. It felt good to get everything set up, too finally. For too long I'd been living with my personal life on pause, waiting as I searched for a cure. It was worth the wait, though, to see Yorktown so happy.

Speaking of Yorktown, she returned faster than I'd expected, wearing an eye-catching number that looked more like an autumn outfit rather than the middle of summer. It was a beautiful black coat with gold buckles and buttons, along with a white overcoat. Black boots and stockings completed the look, and, as always, left me breathless. "So," she began with a shy smile, "What do you think?"

"I think it's gorgeous, and it perfectly suits you," I answered with a bright smile. "Although…this looks more like something for fall. I think you'd overheat in about ten minutes in our current weather."

"Correct," she agreed. "This is more for fall on a special…" Her voice trailed off and she looked nervous. "Max, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," I said as I patted the seat next to me. "Anything you need to talk about, I'm right here."

Yorktown smiled softly as she walked over to the couch and sat beside me, keeping her distance. "I…I don't want to impose, but…well, with everything that's gone on, I would really like to take you to the Royal Kingdom for a vacation."

It seemed sudden, but I understood why she wanted this. If the past few months were proof of anything, it was that we didn't know how long we'd ever truly have together, so we might as well make the most of it while we could. "Getting the leave could be tricky," I murmured as I thought it over. "But I think I have an idea. In a few weeks, they're going to be closing down the World Expo, and they want me there to oversee the closing ceremonies. And while it wouldn't be leave, I think I could convince Naval HQ to allow us to swing by the Royal Kingdoms for a week or two under the guise of 'strengthening our partnership'." And this would also give me some time to finish a little surprise of my own.

"That would be perfect," Yorktown smiled. "Thank you. I just…after everything, I don't want to let things slip away."

"I know exactly what you mean," I replied. "Was that one of the surprises?"

Yorktown's smile turned into a sly grin. "Oh no. For a few days, at least. But don't worry, I think you'll like them quite a bit. In the meantime, I think there's plenty to keep us busy…"

With Yorktown back at my side, things finally fell into a normal rhythm over the next couple of days. The monotony of paperwork, running a base, and an entire Navy was a welcome return compared to the drama, panic, and angst that had permeated my life over the past months. I never thought I'd be so happy to see fuel consumption reports, but there I was, smiling like a lovestruck teenager as I filled them out. Or more likely, happy to be filling them out with Yorktown once again. Then TB sent me a copy of The Final Countdown and things suddenly took another interesting turn…

"So, how good is this movie anyway, Commander?" Hornet asked as she and Northampton cuddled up on the couch across from where Yorktown and I were snuggled together.

"Ehhhh…" I began, trying to put things into words. "I dunno if you guys are gonna get the same enjoyment out of this that I did. I was in a dark place when I saw it, and it gave me hope when I needed it most. This is always going to have a special place in my heart. I'm hoping you guys get something out of it, too, but I'm probably not the best one to judge this film on the merits."

"Fair enough," Hornet nodded. "No sense wastin' time then, let's get going!"

Even watching it a second time, I still enjoyed the movie. Although the actions of Bon Homme Richard would eventually cast a shadow over the picture, I'm able to watch it from time to time and still feel that sense of hope, of wonder, that I did the first time I saw it. Only now, I could share it with the real Yorktown. Before we knew it, the credits were rolling and I reached up to turn the lights back on. "So," I ventured, "How'd everyone like it?"

"I liked it," Hornet offered, "But it kinda sucked that they had to turn around and go home, though. I wanted to see more of those planes kick ass!"

"I get why they had to go back," Northampton said, "But yeah, watching those jets dogfight those Zeros was the best part of the film."

"Agreed," I nodded. "Those Jolly Pirate pilots were all top-notch, you're lucky to have their predecessor's planes on your ship, Hornet."

"I think my favorite part was Commander Owen and Laurel's relationship," Yorktown added, her hand finding mine. "Finding a love that transcends time and space…it's very beautiful." I smiled over at her before giving her a tender kiss.

"Awwwww," Hornet and Northampton cooed in unison, much to our embarrassment, but before either of us could object, Hornet steered the conversation in a new direction.

"Now that it's just the four of us, there's something I wanna discuss," she announced as she leaned in, a conspiratorial grin on her face.

My curiosity well and truly piqued, I looked over at Yorktown, then to her sister. "You've got our attention, what did you have in mind?"

"Double dates are fun and all, but I think we need a triple date." The rest of us looked at each other in confusion "In short, we need to get Enterprise a girlfriend."

A/N-Hornet's on a one-woman crusade to ship ALL her sisters! Also, very important to remember, kids, a potato doesn't have rights. Until next time, fair winds and following seas!