4836. While we understand that Haguro did get a date from it, don't expect every downed pilot you rescue to do the same.
4836a. And just because we know most of you too well, DON'T SHOOT DOWN ALLIED AIRCRAFT TO GET A BLOODY DATE!

Yokosuka

"You know sis, you're better off without that jerk." growled Ashigara.

"I'm fine, nee-san. Tonight wasn't that bad." replied Haguro.

"The nerve of that scum! To stand you up for four hours! When i get my hands on him I'll.."

"Do nothing." Haguro abruptly stooped. "Ashigara, I'm fine. Yes, it's unfortunate that the date didn't exactly go as planned, but I still had a good time. Good grief, you're making a bigger deal out of this than I am, and your date was the one that showed up. No offense, Sosuke."

"None taken." said Yonehara.

As the three of them reached the Myoko's dorm, she continued.

"Look, it's late, and I'm beat. Thank you, both of you for inviting me along. I'm gonna get some sleep."

"Night sis." said Ashigara.

She and Yonehara waited for her to leave, then sat down on the couch.

"Well, that date was a disaster." Ashigara groaned.

"At least Haguro did enjoy herself. And she didn't say no to my offer of throwing darts at his picture."

Ashigara put her head in her hands. "Why is it so hard to find her a date? She's the nicest, kindest person in the world. Men should be lining up for her!"

"I know. The problem is that for some reason none of the men either on the base or in town can see that."

"Even I didn't have this much trouble."

Yonehara knew that tone, that almost suppressed sigh. It took a lot to get Ashigara depressed, and it looked looked like tonight had really gotten to her. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close.

"Don't worry saihai. Haguro won't be dateless for too long. I'm sure of it."

"It's just, I want her to have somebody, especially now." mumbled Ashigara.

"Why now?" he asked.

"We've been together for over a year now. And I've never been happier. But before that? I was hopeless when it came to dating. Myoko was still in overprotective mode, and I don't think Nachi had any plans for dating till after the war. Haguro was the one who picked me up when I was down, had dinner with me when my date didn't show. She gave me a shoulder to cry on, and she's the one who encouraged me everyday, told me that I would find someone, and I did." she said, smiling at the last part.

"And now I feel like I'm the luckiest girl in the world. But then at the same time I feel guilty. Myoko's engaged, Nachi's seeing that lieutenant from the motor pool, I've got you, but Haguro doesn't have anyone. And I know she doesn't think this at all, but I owe her. For all that's she's done for me, she deserves someone, and i want to make sure that someone is perfect."

Yonehara hugged her again. "You know, Commander Myaki down in Personnel owes me a favor. I could ask for some files to see if anyone looks a good match."

Ashigara's eyes widened. "You will?"

Yonehara nodded, and kissed her. "Off course love."

Marine Air Station Futenma
Two weeks later...

Captain John Sheppard, USMC, took one last glance at his instruments before gently nosing his F-18 into the air, his squadron following.

"Futenma ATC, Redeye Flight lead, we're in the air. What's the sit-rep?"

"Friendlies resquesting positive support now at 32 miles from 090. Be advised Redeye, they report 234's with 262's on escort."

"Redeye Lead, acknowledged." He then switched his transmitter to his squadron. "Redeye Flight, we're cleared to commit bearing 090. Time to save the Navy, again."

"You know boss, at this rate we'd better start charging." his XO joked.

"By hour, or by kill?" one of his wingmen asked.

"By kill, definitely. We splash 'em too fast for an hourly to work."

"Alright, people, pipe it down. Remember, we Marines are supposed to be professionals." sighed Sheppard, as he tried to contact the convoy's escort. "Redeye flight to Sierra-Oscar nine, respond."

The convoy.

"I ever tell you how much I hate jets?" grunted Ashigara.

"I'm sure you mentioned it once or twice, nee-san." replied Haguro.

"Well, I'll say it again. I hate jets." she said has her AA splashed a low-flying 262. "This isn't fair at all."

"I thought were a great believer in unfair fights." joked Haguro.

"Only when it's unfair to them."

"Redeye flight to Sierra-Oscar nine, respond." Ashigara heard over the radio, followed by Myoko's terse reply.

Great, the cavalry's coming. She thought. But any positive thoughts were banished when Nachi's warning went out.

"Ashigara, Haguro, watch it! Looks like ten bombers have broken for the Patuxent."

Someone on the oiler had seen the planes coming on radar, but the massive tanker was slow to maneuver.

"Okay, Haguro, here's the plan. I'll go starboard and take them head one, and you go port and catch any that break and try for the other side. Got it?"

"Got it"

The two girls separated, taking up positions alongside the oiler. Ashigara's AA knocked two of the bombers out of the shy when the remaining eight scatted. She stared in confusion at the aircraft before two bright streaks of light found their marks, disintegrating one Arado instantly while the other spiraled into the water missing a wing. She than watched as seven Hornets burst out of the cloud, breaking formation to chase the bombers.

Gotta love the Marines she thought.

Captain Sheppard scanned the sky around him. Either the Abyssal escort had run when his squadron showed up, or they were to busy to notice that their bombers were being swatted like flies.
He was about to set himself up on another Arado when he caught movement below him. Squinting for a closer look, he saw them. Three blue 234's skimming the water, heading straight for a tanker's port side. Seeing only one shipgirl on that side, he swung around and readied a Sidewinder.

Haguro's guns were busy lighting up a 234 when suddenly one of her 25 mms started firing behind her. Turning, she saw the three bombers heading straight towards her. Eyes widened, instinct kicked in, and every gun that could bear went to rapid, desperate fire. Seeing the two bombs under the engines of each plane, a part of her mind gave a short, cold calculation.

The lead plane will hit you, and if you somehow survive that, the other two will sink the Patuxent and nail you in the explosion.

Analysis complete, it prepared her for the end, when suddenly the lead two planes vanished in twin fireballs, causing the third to break off to avoid the wreckage. Haguro then saw what looked like bright rained slam into the last one, cutting it's wing clean off. An f-18 roared through the carnage, blue wing tips cutting the air like a knife. She watched in wonder as the sleek fighter banked back towards the convoy, then was stunned when a dark shadow appeared behind it.

Sheppard knew when he first saw the planes that he didn't have a lot of time. Yanking his aircraft into a high G turn, he fired off a Sidewinder at the lead lead Arado then painted the other one for his remaining AMRAAM, relying on the two missile to fly true. It wasn't conventional, nor was it easy, but he pulled it off, and while his first two kills hit the water a short burst from the cannon sent the last one to join its friends. He was about to look behind him when suddenly his cockpit filled with sparks.

The Abyssal 262 was the escort's leader. It had been the only one to notice that the bombers were in danger, and while it was to late to save them, the force that controlled the jet reckoned that avenging them would suffice.

Sheppard banked hard, diving for airspeed, frantically trying to figure out where the fire was coming from. The sparks and smoke from the destroyed avionics were not helping.

Cmdr. Theodore "Teddy" Douglas, Redeye Flight's XO, saw his leader getting lit up by a 262. Running through the motions, he targeted the Abyssal, locked on, and pulled the trigger. The AMRAAM surged from his plane, straight for the 262, hitting it dead center.

"You're clear boss. I got him"

"Yeah, but he got me."

"How bad?"

"Avionics are fried. Rudder's sluggish, and I'm losing fuel. Looks like I'm gonna have to take the boat back."

Douglas was about to respond when he heard Sheppard curse. That was a bad sign. "What is it, John?"

"Ejection's a no-go."

"Can you make it back?"

"Nope. Guess I'm going for a swim."

"I'll alert the convoy. Want me to stay on your wing?"

"No, get the squad formed up and on the way home. Besides, ditching worked for Sully, right?" Sheppard chuckled at his joke. "See all of you soon." he said as he readied his plane, aiming for a calm stretch of water near a tanker.

Haguro scanned the sky, looking for any other Abyssal planes when the radio crackled. "Redeye Two to Sierra Oscar Nine. We got one bird torn up, and his ejection seat isn't working He coming in to ditch." Haguro saw the plane coming in, trailing smoke. It lined up with the water, leveled out, then hit only a hundred feet from her. She raced to the plane, coming alongside the cockpit. The pilot wasn't moving, and she could see that the fighter was starting to sink. Grabbing on to the canopy, ripped ripped it off of it's hinges and pulled the pilot clear.

Futenma Infirmary, three days later.

A nurse led Haguro to one of the rooms. "I'll go tell him you're here."

A minute later, she gestured them in. Moving past the door, she saw the pilot she had saved sitting up in the bed.

"Um, you wanted to see me, Captain?" she said nervously.

"At ease, Miss Haguro. Nurse, could you give us a minute."

The nurse complied, leaving the two of them alone.

"How's the arm?" Haguro asked, pointing to the cast on Sheppard's right arm.

"Looks worse than it is. Doc said I'd be back in the air in no time." he paused. "He also said I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. Said you pulled me out of the plane."

"Oh, it was nothing, really." Haguro squeaked.

"I wouldn't call it that. I asked you to come by so I could thank you in person." he offered her his hand, and Haguro took it.

"Thank you, Sir."

"No "Sir", please. Colonel says I'm off duty till I'm discharged. Call me John."

Haguro was confused. Normally this was the part where she would freeze up, or blush, or have something else go wrong, but for some reason she felt at ease. "Only if you call me Haguro, John."

"Off course, Haguro. So, how long are you on the island?"

They talked for a long time, to the point where Ashigara was starting to get worried. Right before she was about to start searching, Haguro walked in, a huge grin on her face.

"How did it go, Haguro?" asked a surprised Ashigara.

"Oh, we talked." Haguro said mischievously.

"And?" prompted Ashigara.

"I have a date tomorrow in the mess hall."

Ashigara took one second to process that, and then she fainted.