Chapter 20

She could barely recognize the figure staring back at her through the mirror as she stood with the corners of her new white one-piece in her hands, half twirling, admiring the new addition to her wardrobe.

Clothes never brought the Battleship excitement in the past as she never cared for such things. But the whimsical feeling building up in her chest as she stared at her own reflection, made Massachusetts unable to place a word on how her new dress made her feel. "Cute," was the word Brooklyn used back when they first picked it out, and twirling around once more, she let out a small giggle, agreeing with the Cruiser's statement.

It was unlike her usual attire in the way it covered up much of her skin, but the light, thin material made it just as, if not a bit too breathable as a slight draft flew up her fairly short skirt.

"You alright in there?" Brooklyn knocked on the bedroom door, "I can do your hair if you want."

"I-if you don't mind…" Massachusetts said as the Light Cruiser let herself in.

With a thud, Brooklyn had dropped a pouch of beauty products she borrowed from St. Louis, onto the dresser. Pointing at the small stool she commanded, "sit," before pushing the Battleship down by her shoulders.

Massachusetts's head went light as Brooklyn gathered her long silver hair, contemplating what to do with it.

"Any preferences?"

"No. Not really…" the Battleship said, as she watched Brooklyn's brow furrow in the mirror.

The Light Cruiser groaned at her carefree nature as she ran the brush through her hair, picking up any stray locks in the process, "I bet South Dakota would kill to be the one here right now," she said with a chuckle, "she would've gotten a kick seeing you all dolled up."

Massachusetts pouted at the thought, while shame was only a foreign concept to the Battleship, somehow her older sister seeing her in this dress for this particular occasion brought with them, heavy doses of embarrassment. And she knew Alabama would never let her hear the end of it. For once, she was a little relieved both her sisters were still out on sortie.

"This sorta job should be taken care of by the older sister." Brooklyn said, her eyes slightly downcast as she continued to run the brush through Massachusetts's hair.

"I don't mind," the Battleship tilted her head back at Brooklyn directly, "you're kinda like my big sister too."

The sentiment rang in the Light Cruiser's chest, as she strained to keep a level face. It wasn't the first time she's heard it from someone, but each time, she wondered if she even deserved the title. Massachusetts words carried a heftier weight than most though as the two where often stationed together for the majority of their shipgirl lives.

"H-how's a braid sound?" She coughed into her fist.

"Sure~" Massachusetts giggled knowing her previous statement was wholly brushed away.

Brooklyn sighed as she forced the Battleship's head level, interweaving her hair into an intricate braid.

Nearly halfway down, Brooklyn's fingers stop, "I never did thank you for the other day…"

"Hmm?"

"Y'know, back in the Mirror Sea," Brooklyn's face poked from behind the Battleship's, "you really saved my butt back there."

"It was no problem really. I know you would've made the right call if I didn't."

"Yeah~, but… fishing Val and all my cargo out of the those waters…" Brooklyn said with a wince.

"That would've sucked," Massachusetts laughed.

"But that's one reason I brought you with me," Brooklyn resumed with the braid.

With a bright green feather in hand, Brooklyn tucked into the side of Massachusetts's crown. Now she had the signature South Dakota look.

"And~ done!" Brooklyn slapped the Battleship's shoulders.

As Massachusetts stood in front of her mirror, she did one final twirl. The anxiousness built up inside with a desire to be seen, especially by a certain privateer.

"Go get 'er," the Light Cruiser said into her ear, "we'll have everything ready in a bit, so go out there and have fun."

The Battleship hummed, excitement clear in her inflection.

"Oh dear…" Brooklyn blushed, now realizing there was one critical thing absent from Massachusetts wardrobe as she watched her friend skip out of the room.

o7

Jean's usual perch was no longer as comfortable as it once was, as a vein in her brow marred her flawless visage. It had been several minutes since her sister had stepped onto the balcony, but she hadn't spoken a single word.

"Jean~" the Iris Cardinal said in a sing song voice.

"Soeur bien-aimée~" she said after no response.

Richilue's presence increasesingly became harder to ignore, knowing she was probably standing there smiling away behind her.

"What?" Jean didn't bother to turn around, "and who let you in my room?"

A quiet "eep," retreated from the corner of the balcony door.

"Try not to be so hard on her," Richelieu placed her hand on her sister's shoulder, "and one shouldn't be wallowing inside, today of all days especially."

"What of it?" Jean scoffed, "and I am outside."

"You know what I mean~" Richelieu pouted, "and besides, looks like someone came to see you."

At first glance, she could barely recognize her. Mostly due to her new attire, but that long silver hair and those ornate feathers that stuck out on the side of her head were unmistakable.

"Jean!" Massachusetts called, waving at the Iris Battleships from the foot path below.

The palpitations in her chest from that girl's voice alone made the former Vichy Flagship grumble as she fought off the warmth creeping up her face.

"What are you doing here?!" She seemed to be throwing that question around a lot lately.

Massachusetts didn't answer right away as she kicked at the dirt by her feet, "I… was wondering-"

"Speak up! I can't hear you!"

"Do you wanna hang out?!" The normally stoic Eagle Union Battleship said at the top of her lungs.

Nearly toppling from her perch, Jean clambered back to her feet, retreating slightly from the edge.

"Why don't you go?" Richelieu said.

"W-why should I?"

"Because~ I know you want to~" Richelieu sang teasingly. The red flaring up in her sister's normally harsh features was like food for her soul.

"F-fine…" Jean said lowly

"Don't say it to me!" Richelieu said before leaning over the banister, "she said ye-!"

The Iris Cardinal was pulled back suddenly, "I can answer for myself!"

Richelieu watched in amusement as her sister peered over the edge at Massachusetts.

"Five minutes."

Massachusetts' smile was almost blinding as she hopped in place.

"Your not going out like that," Richelieu grabbed at her sister's wrist as she tried to make her way past, "Le Malin!" She called, summoning the little Cruiser from the other room.

With a long black sundress draped on her arm, Le Malin laid it out on the bed as Richelieu yanked her sister into the room.

"It's only appropriate to dress for the occasion. "The Iris Cardinal said as she held the dress up to Jean's chest.

"It's not like we're going to mass. I don't need my Sunday's best," Jean said, begrudgingly undressing herself.

"And was this what you made me pick up from Akashi's?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Richelieu said, failing to discreetly kick the box it came in under the bed.

"Hurry up! Give me the stupid thing," Jean held out her hand.

"Someone's impatient," Richelieu laughed as her sister snatched away the dress.

"You're way too amused by this," Jean side-eyed the Cardinal before she slipped the dress over herself.

"How can I not be?", Richelieu helped button up her sister's back, "and its not everyday your friends show up at our doorstep asking to hang out."

"I'm not some kind of child!" Jean snapped, "and I don't have any friends…"

Through the mirror she saw Le Malin cast her head downwards at her last words. That girl had stuck by her side through everything. From the moments she rebelled against the Iris, even at the cost of calling her own sister an enemy, Le Malin was there. Even when they were both floating on their backs barely clinging to life, staring at a smoke filled sky, realizing the error of their ways, she was right there beside her. Despite how lazy the former Destroyer turned Cruiser tended to be, she fought harder than anyone she knew, all to uphold the cause Jean herself championed. Even after everything fell apart for them she was still there. She'd be lying if she said she never took the little Cruiser for granted, but even if she wouldn't say it aloud, Jean would always be eternally grateful.

"Dunkerque would cry if she heard you," Richelieu chastised.

There was another person she had close ties to, one of the only people she could confide in. Jean did sorely miss the older Battleship right now, though she was confident her teasing would be much worse than Richelieu's.

With a tug at her ribbon, Jean's ponytail had been undone, letting her long golden bronze hair fall onto her back.

"Just a few quick touches…" Richelieu said to herself as both her and Le Malin worked away with their brushes

"And~ done!" Both girls stepped back, as Jean admired their handiwork through the mirror.

"Now," Richelieu smiled at her sister before placing a kiss on her cheek, "go have fun today."

Jean could only grumble under her breath as she fought against the warmth bubbling up in her chest. Turning to face Le Malin, the Battleship bit at the inside of her lip as the little Cruiser flinched away. Had she been so hard on her to warrant such a reaction?

Jean placed her hand a top Le Malin's head as little arms wrapped themselves around her waist.

"Merci, mon ami…" Jean whispered as the little Cruiser buried her face into her chest.

o7

"So… what are you doing here?" Jean stood with her arms crossed on the steps of the Iris dorms.

The Eagle Union Battleship leaned forward as her chest hung low, swaying as she did, "I wanna hang out!" She repeated with a smile.

"A-and what makes you think I want too?" Jean strained to rip her gaze away from the Battleship's low neckline.

"But you're all dressed up…" Massachusetts said quizzically as she stepped into Jean's personal space.

"..." the former Vichy Flagship looked away, a proper rebuttal nowhere to be heard.

"Have fun you two!" Richelieu waved from the balcony

"Okay!" Massachusetts waved back before she was pulled away by her wrist.

"L-let's go," Jean grumbled as she dragged the Eagle Union Battleship along.

Her hand was warm, the thought welled up in the both of them.

"I thought you didn't wanna hang out?" Massachusetts giggled, as a bit of deja-vu reminded her of the other night.

"Taisez-vous," Jean barked, but that didn't seem to phase the Battleship behind her in the slightest.

"So, where we headed?" Massachusetts's voice could hardly contain her excitement.

"W-where!?" Jean stopped abruptly, "this was your idea! Was it not?"

"Well~" she laughed nervously, "you've technically been on this base longer than I have. So~ I was kinda hoping you'd tell me."

Jean let out a long sigh before scratching at her head, "the other side of the base…"

Massachusetts felt the hand around hers tighten.

"There's a spot I know…" Jean spoke barely above a whisper, "if you're so inclined."

"Mhm!" The Eagle Union Battleship beamed, her smile too overwhelming for Jean to look at directly.

"Now that that's settled-"

"I'll race you!"

Jean's hand was left hanging in the air out in front of herself as Massachusetts dashed on ahead.

"C'mon!" The Battleship giggled.

To be left behind by her of all people, Jean couldn't stomach the thought. Before she knew it, her legs had picked up the pace, closing the distance between them.

They were like a blur to those traversing the hill, shooting downward towards the docks.

Despite the head start, the back of Massachusetts's was drawing closer. She was confident of her speed, but on land, the taller Battleship had a sizable advantage.

"Sorry!" Massachusetts yelled out as they flew past a crowd of destroyers gathered on the path, nearly bowling them over in the process.

"Come back here!" Jean said, not letting up her pace, "do you even know where you're going?!"

The Battleship ahead didn't bother answering as she took a sharp left towards the water's edge. With one magnificent leap, Massachusetts soared through the air. A flash of light appeared down the dock as her ship vanished into a stream of cubes, partially forming her riggings at her feet, much to the chagrin of Vestal and her repair crews.

Jean wasn't about to let her lengthen her lead. She was foolish for challenging her to a contest of speed. With another flash, a second Battleship dissapeared from its moorings. A several meter tall fan tail sprayed sea water all over the docks as Jean dissapeared into the horizon quickly bearing down on Massachusetts, leaving behind a violent wake.

"You're not getting away!" Jean said, arms outstretched. But what greeted her at her mark, wasn't what she was expecting.

Yet another flash, but not one of a Shipgirl's transformation, but instead the white hot explosion from a Shipgirl's main guns.

Jean became acutely aware of the miniature 16" shells whizzing by, just millimeters away from her face as she twisted her body out of their path.

"What the hell was-!?" She yelled as she reoriented herself, but her complaints were cut short by a second salvo.

There was no time to protest as she snaked past more shells sent sent her way.

They were no blanks either judging by the huge plumes of water being shot up behind her.

Massachusetts wasn't letting up her assault at all, forcing Jean to dodge more incoming fire.

"Just what the hell is your problem?!" A loud clang reverberated through the air as a shell ricochet off into the distance before exploding high up in the air.

A tightness formed in Massachusetts's heart as Jean, with the full might of her riggings lunged, a look of bloodlust all over her face. She had swatted her shell like it was nothing, barely a scratch on the flawless finish of her golden and black veneer.

"If you wanted a fight!" The irate privateer swung her riggings forward, the barrels of her turrets poked through their ornate carapace, "all you need was ask!"

The thunderous boom of eight 15" guns caught Massachusetts's full attention as she ducked underneath the salvo. This is what she had been wanting for so long. The massive grin on her face would've looked misplaced to an onlooker. Even as Jean bursts through her own gun smoke, her charge unrelenting, the silver haired Battleship's excitement only grew.

Their riggings clashed violently as Massachusetts's was thrown back, wrestling against the sheer force pushing against her. With slight deflection of her riggings she redirected Jean's charge as the Iris Battleship zipped by.

Jean's massive forward facing artillery couldn't be brought to bear behind herself as she slipped passed, but her many secondaries at least made up for it.

Left with no time to counter, Massachusetts defended against a barage of smaller shells, angling her riggings as they ricochet off her armored hull. A direct hit at this range would pierce right through even her thickest armor.

Jean's speed made it difficult to exploit her one weakness as Massachusetts's struggled to get behind her main guns. But it wasn't any easier in the other camp as Jean labored to find an opening against the heavily gunned Battleship no matter what vector she approached from.

Even if she hadn't prepared for it, today's going to be the day, the thought echoed loudly as Jean circled the Eagle Union Battleship, the day I finally defeat you!

Skidding to a halt, she takes aim, letting loose with her number one turret, square on Massachusetts's position.

"I have you!" Jean said as the shells splashed down where Massachusetts once stood. She would be foolish to think such a shot would find their mark as her number two turret was already facing skyward, angled as high as they could go.

It wasn't even a second, to zero in on the Battleship directly above her. As her eyes focused on her target she froze.

All the air was knocked clear out of her lungs as everything went black. She knew she had lost before her back had impacted the surface of the water.

A weight on her chest made it difficult to breath. Blinking back into consciousness with a groan, her vision slowly focused on Massachusetts's looming outline.

The Eagle Union Battleship's chest heaved as her sweat dripped onto Jean's face, "I win!" She laughed between her ragged breaths as she kept her opponent arms pinned over her head.

Jean growled at her words as she attempted to wriggled out from underneath Massachusetts legs. With hardly any energy left to expend, she let's herself go limp as she resigns herself to fate.

"Why didn't you shoot?" Massachusetts said still catching her breath, "you would've got me."

Jean's face flushed a deep crimson as she couldn't bare looking at her any longer, "you damned exhibitionist…" she said under her breath

Massachusetts cocked her head in confusion before leaning closer to Jean's face.

"And how much longer are you going to sit there?!" The giggle her out burst illicited only served to annoy her further.

"But I like being on top," Massachusetts leaned back letting go of Jean's wrists.

"You do huh?" With a mighty grunt, Jean grabbed hold of her rivals hands, bridging her waist, toppling the Battleship off of her, "well sorry-"

It felt odd, the wetness of the ocean against Massachusetts back as she found herself staring up at the blue sky, Jean's handsomely beautiful visage appearing in her view.

"-but it doesn't suit you."

Their fingers interlocked as Jean returned the favor, keeping the Eagle Union Battleship pinned, though she hardly encountered any form of resistance. Massachusetts's heavy breaths slowly steadied, but her heart was racing just as hard as it was before.

Their eyes locked briefly before Jean's drifted down towards Massachusetts's pursed lips. She may have lost their fight, but she was going to take her consolation prize.

Massachusetts's flushed cheeks were normally easy to miss through her darker complexion but they burned as bright as ever as Jean brought her lips down onto her own.

o7

The booming of heavy artillery was nothing new for the Shipgirls on base. With so many free spirits having ready access to firepower and munitions, an explosion or two a day, accidentally or not, wasn't unheard of. But what was coming from just off the shore sounded nothing short of an epic battle.

Enterprise surveyed the base for any damage but all she found were a bunch of Manjuu floating around in the water next to a fuming Vestal.

"What happened!?" The Eagle Union ace said jumping onto the water's surface.

"I dunno!" Vestal said with a huff, "but Massachusetts just took off faster than one of your Wildcats!"

Enterprise's coat flared out as her riggings formed at her hip.

"Where are you going?" Vestal shouted, but the Carrier had already sped out from the docks, "you're not supposed to be pushing yourself anymore y'know!"

"Don't worry miss," Belfast landed gracefully next to the irate repair ship, "There's no cause for alarm, but I'll be sure to bring her back in one piece."

"Please do, Bel," Vestal released a long sigh as she gathered the remaining waterlogged Manjuu.

o7

"Miss!" Belfast had caught up with the Eagle Union ace, quickly taking up the Carrier's side.

"Bel?" Enterprise turned in surprise without slowing, "and I told you not to call me-"

"Enty then," The maid hid her giggle as the Carrier's cheeks flushed.

"T-this is serious," Enterprise adjusted her hat reflexively, "Massachusetts could be in trouble."

"While I'm sure she'd appreciate your concern. I can assure you there's no emergency."

"Then what'd you call that?!" Enterprise gestured to the sounds of cannon fire ahead of them.

"A bit of friendly competition, I suppose…."

"Friendly competition?"

"And… oh my…" the Belfast skided to a halt as her cheeks tinged a light shade of pink, "it appears all is resolved."

"What do you mean?" She asked at Belfast, coming to a halt beside her as a slince filled the air.

With one battle finished it looked as if another, completely different battle had started.

"W-w-what are they-" the Carrier stammered as all the blood rushed to her face, unable to rip her eyes away from the pair of Battleships as their tongues continued their engagement.

"Perhaps we should leave them be," Belfast pulled at Enterprise's coat, dragging her back towards the port.

o7

"What's taking them so long?" Brooklyn shifted her weight to the other leg, eyeing the worn dusty path that lead from the base.

"Maybe they got caught up in something," Richelieu giggled, fiddling with the corners of a picnic blanket.

"I know I told her to stall for a bit, but-"

"They're here!," Helena said with her eyes closed, cupping the side of her SG Radar.

"About time-" Brooklyn paused as the two Battleships crested the hill. All the hard work she put in to get Massachusetts looking pretty seemed to be wasted. Their dresses clung to them, soaked in sea water. Their disheveled hair and the odor of spent propellant charges told the Cruiser everything.

"I don't even want to know…" Brooklyn pinched at the bridge of her nose feeling a headache start to form.

"What the hell are all of you doing here?!" Jean shot out, looking around at all the girls gathered at her thought to be sacred spot.

"Surprise?" Le Malin halfway shouted as Helena fumbled with the popper in her hands. With a delay, confetti rained down on the less then amused Battleship.

The hand intertwined with Jean's tightened. The most sincere gentle smile greeted her as she glanced to the girl beside her.

"Happy launch day, Jean Bart."

What was so happy about it? Launched down the slipway not even fully complete, only to be forced to take on the full might of an opposing force by the very people she was meant to be kept from. But that was all in the past. A past from another life. And this one…

A familiar chocolate scent wafted into Jean's nose as her sister held a familiar treat up to her face.

"It's your favorite~" Richelieu smiled, "so open up~ ahhhh~"

"I'm not some-!"

Seizing an opportunity, the Iris Cardinal shoves the pastry past her sister's lips.

Soft and buttery, flaky yet melted in your mouth. All mixed together with the richness of the chocolate.

…it wasn't so bad…

"Good~ right?!" Richelieu gushed finishing off the rest of the crosaint, "so yummy~" she said with a full mouth.

Still a bit shocked, Jean nodded. It tasted almost exactly like Dunkerque's with a slight twist. Not that it made it worse, just different.

"Looks like giving Helena the recipe was the correct choice."

Recipe? Jean felt like slapping her forehead as she recalled passing on a slip of paper to the youngest Brooklyn.

"I-it was fun working on it," Helena had poked her head from behind the Cardinal, "a-and e-everyone helped too."

Massachusetts puffed her chest out, waiting to be acknowledged.

"S-s-so… what do you think?" Helena fiddled with her thumbs as she braced for an answer.

"N-not bad," Jean turned away, only to see Massachusetts smug face.

"So you like it?!" Massachusetts's face lit up even more.

"T-thats what I said," Jean said with a huff, "did I not?"

Massachusetts could barely contain her excitement as she lunged for a hug, "I'm so happy!" She said laughing.

"G-good for you," Jean didn't bother to fight off the sudden hug, but she struggled to keep a level face, "could you please get off me."

Just as the Eagle Union Battleship began to separate, she stopped, her gaze fixed on Jean's lips.

"W-what? I told you to get-"

A warn wet sensation licked against Jean's cheek before Massachusetts stepped back giggling, "You had some-" she said pointing at the corner of her lips.

"Y-you could've just told me," Jean said with a huff, wiping at her face. A snicker to her side brought her attention back to the girls around her as she eyed Brooklyn failing to stifle her laughter behind her hands.

Just then, it hit her, why everyone had suddenly become silent, cheeks tinged in a light pink her's following soon after.

"I-I-I-I'm g-glad you l-liked it." Helena fumbled her words unable to look at the Battleship directly before scampering off to where Cleveland and her sister sat.

Richelieu's smile was different from her usual one, with her eyes barely visible, just standing there, staring at her sister.

"W-what?"

"Nothing~" Richelieu's response was immediate, almost faster than the question itself.

"What?!" Jean snapped but her sister's reply was the same. She was enjoying this a bit too much.

o7

"Y'know, Vestal's gonna scuttle you later." Brooklyn said, halfway teasing, "and I can't believe you started a fight outside the Naval base!"

Massachusetts cringed, only now thinking about the weight of her actions.

"This was the reason I had reservations about bringing you with me," Brooklyn shifted to a slightly more serious tone, "and you!" She said pointing a croissant at Jean Bart.

"I can't believe you'd go along with it!"

Jean's eyebrow twitched. How was it her fault?! She was just defending herself!

"Brook!" Val chastised, drooping her arms on the Light Cruiser's shoulders from behind.

"I-it was my fault anyway," Massachusetts let out quickly, "I didn't really give her much choice."

"You needn't make excuses for me!" Jean snapped, "It was my choice to retaliate."

"But I-"

"You really thought that pathetic salvo would've taken me out?!" She interrupted with a smug laugh.

Massachusetts puffed out her cheek in a rare display of frustration, "well… I still beat you!"

Jean pressed a finger against her rivals chest,"t-that's because your such an-!" She had almost forgotten about the company around her as she retreated back to her spot, attempting to hide hide her face, "...y-you got lucky."

"But heed my words!" Jean slammed her fist into the ground as she leaned closer to Massachusetts, "next time we fight, such shamless tactics won't work on me!"

"I can't wait," Massachusetts said with a cute laugh, brushing her nose against Jean's.

"You guys are already looking for another fight?" Brooklyn shook her head, "I was hoping you'd have gotten it out of your system."

"B-but you said you'd talk to Richelieu!" Massachusetts stumbled forward, nearly toppling over onto the tray of pastries.

"That was before you jumped the gun!"

"Talk to me about what?" Richelieu, who had been happily eating, listening to everything playing out, chimed in.

"It's-" Brooklyn began.

"A mock battle!" Massachusetts interrupted.

"A mock battle?" The Cardinal parroted, rubbing at her chin. She was more than a little surprised when she caught Jean staring straight at her. Richilue couldn't recall the last time she had seen her little sister with such an intent wanting.

"I… don't see why not?" Richelieu smiled, turning towards Brooklyn, "but I'd still have to try to convince Wales… Would you like to assist me with that?"

"..." Brooklyn sighed, nodding her head in defeat.

o7

So… 20 chapters in and I honestly never thought I'd still be working on this fic after all this time. Especially with work wearing my patience thin nowadays I have less and less time to toil away on this fic on my lunch breaks.

But thank you for those who have read this far. And if you have any feedback please let me know as I don't really have any betas.

Next time though, I'll have a bit of Phoenix and Boise action.