A/N: Little treat for you guys before I leave the country for a week or so. And thanks to everyone for your very kind comments.
"Well, what do we do now? This mission just got complicated."
"What do you mean? They're a bunch of Union and Sakura, they don't...oh scheiße. Check your periscopes. That's the Union Jack! What are they doing here?"
"They're deploying smoke!"
"Aircraft above, two models. They're dropping munitions!"
"Those cruisers are getting close! One of them is so packed with depth charges her stern is riding low."
"Battleships are closing!"
"This is far too much, I'm calling this. Sisters, retreat now."
"But we were so close to sinking that traitorous little twerp."
"The sirens never trusted her. She was broken long before they even uplifted us. She won't provide anything of value to whatever ragtag band of castoffs this is. The Sanctuary group will end them whenever they get tired of playing around. Must be the weather that makes them so carefree and annoying."
"I hope you're right, sister, otherwise we-"
"We successfully hunted her through Union, Royal and Sakura territory. The new stealth systems are a proven success. We have nothing to hide from our masters. Ugh, these Sakura pests, are they trying to use scout bombers as depth charges? U-47, U-557, we're retreating. Let's dive and get out of here before those battleships decide they want to get in on the fun."
U-81's words proved prophetic as the surface ships on approach began raining a hail of armor piercing shells into the water around them, targeting based on the information from Javelin and Leander's sonar. It was no threat as the Ironblood wolfpack dove lower, but it did frustrate their ability to target and ultimately destroy the coward who had fled from the fold. The lead submarine cast a final glance over her shoulder. "It makes no difference. Her mind is even more broken than her ship."
Back above the surface of the water, Pennsylvania was in a tough situation. "Yes, Shiranui. She hasn't fired on anyone but has refused to speak to or surrender to anyone other than Thorson."
"Get your fat hull out of my way, you impudent Yanks!" Warspite yelled. "That destroyer is Ironblood and hasn't surrendered. What in the name of the Queen do you think you're doing?"
"I'm very sorry, Warspite, but these are my sister's orders," Arizona informed the Royal battleship who was fenced in on all sides by her, the Pennsylvania, and the Tennessee. Javelin and Laffey had already made contact with Z23 and were easily shadowing her on her way to the facility, but every time they tried to establish radio contact she received the same terrified response.
"No! Can't be you. I won't do it! I won't kill my friends!"
"Warspite please! Let us get her to the Commander! Something's very wrong with her!" Javelin pled with fear in her voice.
"This has siren trap written all over it," the battleship countered. "Better to be safe than sorry."
"How can you say that? She's my friend!"
"She is our enemy!" Warspite roared. It was into this melee of radio chatter that Thorson finally inserted himself.
"Ironblood destroyer currently under escort by the Laffey and Javelin, identity yourself now. This is Commander Andrew Thorson." The human shared a worried look with Akashi and Shiranui, two of his oldest friends, as a desperate young voice, speaking English with a thick German accent, replied.
"Oh mein gott, the coordinates were right. Kommandant, I surrender! I surrender to you, so please help me. Save me!" She screamed. Thorson's blood ran cold and he knew that all his ships were listening to the same thing. He replied.
"I accept your surrender. Deactivate your weapons and proceed to the base. If you attempt to harm anyone you will be sunk."
"I won't, I won't!" Z23 pled with him. "I promise I'll be good. I'll be very good so please don't let them take me again! Nnnghrraaaah! Get out of my head!"
"Akashi cannot listen anymore, nyaa! Akashi flees!" The minty kitty exclaimed, scampering off to the dorms while Shiranui remained. She rested an ethereal hand on his shoulder.
"She is broken, Commander. She could be dangerous."
"I know," Thorson gritted his teeth. "I know but still!"
"You're going to help her," Shiranui finished, it wasn't a question.
"I'm going to try. She's Javelin and Laffey's friend."
"And this is why we follow you, idiot Shikikan."
"I lost my carbine the night Yamashiro and Fusou came here."
"Then come with me to the warehouse. I know where you may find a replacement," she offered. On the way out Thorson issued one final order.
"Laffey, Javelin, I know this is going to be difficult for you, but keep your distance from her for now. We're dealing with...I don't know what we're dealing with," he admitted.
"Laffey can see the ship. Looks like sirens. Laffey does not like it at all. Hurry Commander, please help Zed."
Thorson was already out of his office and headed for the docks.
Thorson's wait was agonizing, watching as his fleet hemmed in Warspite under tense standoff conditions while Laffey and Javelin, along with aircraft from both Ark and the Fusou sisters, escorted a sleek and dangerous looking Ironblood destroyer closer and closer to the base. "She's not killing her speed. She's not even aiming at the docks," he muttered.
"Let us go to the beach, Shikikan. It appears she will breach herself," Shiranui evaluated. Thorson took off with her floating just behind him, the ghostly bunny girl not exerting herself at all. He descended the cement stairs to the warm sand just as Z23 reached the shallows, an unearthly sound reaching his ears as her hull ground and scraped against the sand and rocks below. Thorson gripped his firearm tightly as the ship finally came to a halt, with Javelin and Laffey dropping anchor at the minimum safe distance offshore.
"By all that's holy," Thorson muttered. "That ship is evil."
"It's a ship, idiot Shikikan," Shiranui claimed.
"Yeah, a fucking demon ship!" He yelled, looking over the machine of war. Its hull was dark and seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it, making it appear black instead of gray. The blood red Ironblood banner flew atop a spiked mast, and everywhere he looked he saw teeth or sharp red fins. The boat looked more like a mechanical shark than a German destroyer. "Jesus, is that?"
Thorson watched spellbound as a young woman with short, blonde hair, who he guessed was a bit taller than either Laffey or Javelin, burst onto the deck of her ship before throwing herself into the sea. He had envisioned something like his girls tended to do with their skating, but instead she splashed unceremoniously into the water and began swimming to shore as though the devil himself pursued her. By the time she stumbled weakly out of the surf her white uniform and blue cape were soaked, clinging to the skintight spandex undergarment that girded her chest and lower body. An iron cross medal hung askew from her short hair and she was missing one of her white gloves. She shambled forward like a being possessed.
"Please, please!" She mumbled, the salt water stinging her eyes and drying her throat. "Kommandant…"
Thorson had been ready to level his weapon at her, given the fact that she was heading for him, arms outstretched like a zombie, but then her legs gave way and she hit the sand. Zed proved incapable of standing again, instead just reaching weakly for him, her right side covered with the pale sand of the beach. "Please…"
Thorson walked forward and knelt before her, taking a frail and shaking hand into his. "Who are you?"
"Z23. If you aren't him...then just kill me. I won't...I won't fight my friends. I'm so tired."
"I'm Andrew Thorson. I won't make you fight anyone. How do you know my name?" His question went unanswered as Zed broke down into tears, sobs and gasps turning into full throated wails as Javelin and Laffey arrived on the beach. Thorson took the distraught young woman into his arms as she clutched and grapsed weakly at his uniform.
"Oh my God, Zed," Javelin whispered, her refined Glaswegian accent somehow accentuating her sorrow as Laffey took her by the hand.
"Zed will be okay now, Javey. She has the Commander," the bunny destroyer assured her friend, though her sleepy voice sounded less sure than usual. Thorson looked up past the head he had cradled against his shoulder and gave Laffey the only smile he could manage. One by one other ships appeared on the docks, overlooking the scene on the beach with worried expressions. Zed had begin to speak, babbling incoherently.
"You, your message. I decoded it, thought it was a trap, another siren test. But then they started trying new things, trying to simulate someone, not everyone, just someone. Someone they couldn't predict. Simulation broke, and I ran. Had to find this person, the one they can't create. It's you right? It has to be you, please! Destroy my ship. The voices, they're still here. They're whispering, can't you...can't...you…" Zed could speak no more, passing out in Thorson's hold. He laid her down and took her pulse. It was weak.
"She needs a bit of everything, damnit. Yamashiro?"
"Yes, tono-sama?" The battleship called from the docks.
"Find Shiratsuyu and Akashi, tell them we need a way to get food and water in her. Go now!"
"Hai, tono-sama!"
"And watch your feet!"
"Hai, tono-samaaaa!" Yamashiro called over her shoulder as she ran off.
"Fusou, you can return to the little ones. I think the danger is past."
"As you say, tono-sama. I will put them to bed for a pre-lunch nap and come find you." With that, the other shrine maiden glided off. Thorson addressed his Union ships.
"Pennsylvania, well done today. Same to the rest of you. Please head back and keep working on your dormitory. I'll be sure to fill you all in the moment something happens."
"Well, you heard the man. Let's roll, girls. This isn't our place. Laffey, you stay," Cleveland ordered, not finding any resistance from the rest as they fell out. Warspite glared down at him coldly, but she said nothing, walking off with the Union ships. Leander and Vampire left next after a nod from Thorson, leaving only Ark, Laffey and Javelin. The carrier was looking at the two destroyers as Thorson took the limp body of their friend in his hold and walked past them towards the docks. Javelin was crying as Laffey hugged her. Neither of them looked to be in good shape. The small, silver haired bunny procured a flask from her sleeve.
"Hey now, let's leave that be," Ark encouraged, approaching the destroyers and covering the booze with her hand.
"But Laffey is sad. Laffey doesn't know what to do. Laffey is angry!" She insisted, turning to glare at Ark.
"Oh you cute little things," she replied, resting a hand on both their heads. "I can't imagine what you two are going through right now, but you still have hope. Your friend is still alive, and if...when that strapping young Commander manages to get her fixed up she'll be needing the two of you, ok? That's not a time you want to be drinking when you have a friend in need. Tears are ok, though."
"Oh Ark…she was never that thin when we knew her!" Javelin cried, turning to the older ship for comfort. Ark took her into a motherly hug that Laffey soon joined in. The carrier held them to her bosom and tried to ease their distress.
"I know, Javelin, but she's here now. She's strong if she could make it this far. She'll be alright, I'm sure."
"Commander told Laffey the Ironbloods suffered very much...Laffey hopes Zed did not suffer," she said innocently. The sand and sun were warm, but she felt cold inside.
Ark Royal had no reply to that statement, wondering just what the Commander knew about the Ironbloods that she didn't.
That morning Thorson had hoped that their pleasant breakfast would carry on into a pleasant day. It appeared war had other ideas. He and Akashi managed to rig up an IV for Z23, providing her with a dilution of crude oil prepared by a worried Shiratsuyu. Fortunately for them all, Vampire had offered her assistance and, perhaps unsurprisingly, had proven quite skilled with a needle.
The young Ironblood rested in the mess for about two hours, her body taking in nourishment at an astounding rate until she finally woke with a gasp. It was only Thorson's quick reaction that had stopped her from ripping the IV out and running from the mess in a state of panic. She had calmed the moment she saw his face, but screamed whenever Akashi or Shiratsuyu got close. Even Laffey and Javelin caused her to cower against him, forcing Thorson to send the two of them temporarily away with Ark Royal. It had broken his heart, but he had to tell Ark to confiscate Laffey's booze as well.
When lunch could be postponed no further, Thorson was forced to take Zed from the mess. She was still weak, but awake, and so he carried her up the stairs of the base on his back. Every ship he passed had a worried or sorrowful look for him, except for the young ones. They kept asking Fusou who the new girl was and why she liked Shikikan so much. She didn't have the heart to explain the reality of the situation to them. Zed, for her part, buried her head into the crook of his neck whenever another ship got close. She was far too light for his liking.
"Hey, Z23?" He called as they reached the dorms.
"Ja, Kommandant?"
"Laffey and Javelin can help you take a bath now, alright?" He proposed, his heart sinking as she began to shiver on his back.
"I can't. I want to believe they're real but...they used them against me. Tormented me, forced me to hunt and kill them. I couldn't take it anymore," she whispered, comforted enough by the fact that Thorson was solid and warm to explain some of the circumstances behind her flight. "I'm sorry about the panic attacks and the screaming."
Thorson could only take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the war outside his little island crushing his shoulders. Her honesty was equally crushing. "Zed...we need to get you cleaned up and-"
"I don't mind...you," she whispered. "Maybe after, when I look like myself again, I could try to speak to my friends. Are they really real? Are they your ships, Kommandant?"
"They are," Thorson said heavily, finding Ark and the two destroyers as the last headed for lunch. They met just outside the Sakura dorms. "Zed...can you try?" He asked softly, feeling her arms tighten across his chest.
"I'm scared."
"I'm here."
"Zed...Zed it's us. It's me, Javelin. Laffey is here too," the usually bubbly royal destroyer called, approaching them slowly. Zed squeezed her eyes shut and tried to melt into Thorson.
"Kommandant!" She squeaked.
"They're every bit as real as I am, and they still love you very much," he tried to assure her, making eye contact with Laffey and Javelin as they both tried to figure out just how close they could get to her. Eventually the young girl turned her head to look at them. Her deep purple eyes were tired.
"I'm so sorry," Zed whispered. Both of them stepped forward, wanting to reassure her there was nothing to be sorry for, but she froze up again. Thorson shook his head.
"Ark, could you watch them for today and ask Akashi to prepare a room for the three of them next to mine? I think Laffey is currently bunking with Akashi and Downes. The walls can be rearranged in there, clever trick. Hopefully it's not too much work."
"Aye, sir. Not a problem," Ark saluted.
"It wasn't an order, Ark."
"You and Warspite need to talk, Commander, but that's for another time. Don't worry about these two adorable little things. I'll look after them until she's back on her feet. Come on you two, no war was ever won on an empty stomach."
As Ark led them away, with both Javelin and Laffey looking over their shoulders at Zed, Thorson kicked himself mentally. "I can't believe I'm about to do this," he muttered. But if not even Laffey and Javelin could soothe her, there were no other options. He kicked off his boots and walked them through the dorm to the back, entering a small bathroom in the Japanese style that Akashi was maintaining until her 'secret project' could be completed. Whatever it was, it was down the hall from the room where he'd entertained the Royal delegation on their first day at the base, and it was covered in tape that warned to 'keep out'. It was another mystery for another day.
"Oh...I see, Kommandant," Zed whispered. "I think I can stand now." With Thorson's help she was lowered to the ground, standing on shaking legs before he sat her on the edge of the small bath. "It's ok. Here, I can help."
Without anything approximating shame or hesitance, Zed stripped herself down to just her undergarments. The dark purple material covered her almost non-existent breasts and upper midriff, with a second piece concealing her upper thighs and privates. It took an immense effort for him to not frown at her. He could see every one of her ribs. She looked down.
"Oh...this is soiled as well," Zed remarked absently, peeling the material off her body and baring herself to him. He swallowed heavily, considering that no young woman should ever look the way she did. "Kommandant? Is something the matter? I feel a bit better now that it's just us and I'm naked. My clothes smell like war."
"Then let's get that stench of war off of you," he concluded grimly, turning from her and carefully stripping down to his underwear and undershirt. Those he didn't mind getting wet one bit, setting aside his socks and uniform in a neat pile near the wood and rice paper door. Zed was waiting for him, sitting patiently with a far off look in her eyes, her hands clasped together and resting just above her center. Her thighs didn't even touch. He felt anger boil within him. "Come sit here," he said.
"Ja, Kommandant," she whispered, placing herself on a short wooden stool as Thorson turned the water on and achieved the correct temperature. He filled two buckets and placed them next to her.
"Ready?"
"Of course, Kommandant. Please go ahead with me." Thorson bit back the bile as he slowly poured water over her. She gasped at the initial sensation, but afterwards remained contently seated. Thorson then prepared a bar of soap and began to lather her body, his hands running over bones almost everywhere. He felt her shoulder blades and ribs, her elbows and wrists, her knees. He didn't dare to speak until he was done.
"I'm going to rinse you off now."
"Ja, Kommandant," she repeated neutrally. It made him furious as cleansing water stripped the dirt and grime away along with the soap.
"Now your hair," he said, making sure she knew what would be happening to her at all times.
"Alright."
Thorson continued to work, gently scrubbing her short, blonde hair full of suds before rinsing her again, the water and shampoo pooling before entering the drain in the floor. She was shivering a bit.
"Kommandant?"
"Yes, Zed?"
"I still feel them on me...touching and testing," she whispered. "I'm cold."
Not knowing what else to do, Thorson ran a hot bath. He was sure Akashi would chew him out if he used the soaking tub before cleaning himself, but that was no problem for the frail girl beside him. "Here, this will be warmer," he murmured. Zed reached for him and he picked her up, settling her into the tub and seating himself on the edge, facing away from her. She didn't need that, he reasoned, didn't need him looking at her malnourished body. She had no scars, no visible signs of trauma, but he knew well enough that her body wasn't what had been attacked.
"This feels too good to be true," she whispered, leaning her head back against a folded towel. "Can I stay with you forever, Kommandant?"
"Laffey and Javelin will be there too," he affirmed.
"Ja, that's alright," she eventually agreed. "Those voices are fading a bit. My skin feels...better. Those hands are melting away."
The military commander in Thorson's mind wanted desperately to know what had happened to Z23. What hands was she speaking of? Sirens? Scientists? What message? Had Brooklyn somehow managed to reach the Atlantic theater? Who were the voices in her head? What simulations? Why had she been under the impression she was killing her friends? Had she been isolated again like in the experiments? How much of Ironblood high command was actually under siren control? He turned to look at the young woman who held some of those answers. She'd closed her eyes and was resting peacefully in the steaming water, her arms floating just above her legs. "The answers will have to wait," he told himself quietly.
To Thorson's surprise, it was Tennessee of all people who sought him out after lunch. The look she gave him after cracking the door to the bathroom open was anything but pleasant, but his was equally dire and confrontational. After looking over the situation for a moment, she nodded silently and left a tray of food just inside the door. He mouthed his thanks as she departed, finding that the sight disturbance had awakened Zed.
"Kommandant, did I die?" She asked weakly as he offered her water and some cold soba noodles.
"No. You're still on this side. Why do you ask?" He replied as she took a sip and swallowed, soothing her throat.
"Because I can't ever recall feeling so relaxed, so whole. Maybe a long time ago, when we were all together…"
"How long did it take?" He couldn't help his curiosity.
"To find you? Weeks. I had to keep evading them. Do you think Laffey and Javelin are mad at me, Kommandant?"
Thorson turned to face her, finding a dark red shard in the back of her neck. He had wondered if or when that would become necessary. "They're worried about you, and they are still your best friends. I'm sure of it. Now be still, Zed. This will hurt a bit," he advised, placing one hand on her slim shoulder and another on her back.
"I don't think it will, Kommandant. I'm ready to be rid of these demons." True to Zed's reasoning, the shard slipped right out of her, a few drops of blood in the water the only sign that it had even been there as he cast it aside. A bit of life returned to her eyes. "I find myself a mite embarrassed at having bared myself to you. Would you mind just turning around a bit? Please don't leave me though!" She requested. Thorson nodded, standing and passing a spare towel behind him as well as one of the basic kimonos that hung on a row of wooden pegs like bathrobes. He could hear her standing in the water, listened as her bare feet stepped softly onto the warm tiles. He closed his eyes and waited. Finally he heard the sound of Zed pulling the kimono over her body, indicating it was safe for him to turn around. He watched as she changed it, returning to her old uniform, compete with a blue beret. She knelt and plucked her hairpin from the pile of clothing.
"Here, let me," he said softly, taking it from her and replacing it neatly in her hair. She gave him a wan smile.
"It's still making me nervous, but now that I look like this I think I can face the rest of them. Can we...burn that?" She asked, pointing to her old clothes.
"Would be my pleasure," Thorson confirmed.
When the two of them were dressed and Thorson had disposed of Zed's old uniform, he took her to survey the construction of the new Union building. With no major repairs needed on his fleet, bulins, Akashi, and the Union girls could all be found milling around the site. They had cleared away the rubble from that morning and already begun on the foundation. Javelin was there as well, and she grabbed Laffey the moment she saw Zed walking cautiously just behind Thorson. The work paused as more and more of them noticed his presence.
"How you all holding up?" Thorson asked, looking warmly at his fleet.
"Buli?"
"Yes I'm glad you're all well too. Laffey?"
"Zed is looking much better. Can Laffey hug Zed yet, Commander?" The destroyer asked. He couldn't deny that he was impressed by her patience and understanding that Zed needed time. The Ironblood destroyer clung to his sleeve.
"I'll stay right here, but they've missed you greatly. And from personal experience, Laffey is more likely to try to kill you with booze instead of her ship," he ventured, seeing how humor would go over. She didn't laugh, but she didn't prevent Laffey from drawing her into a slow and tender embrace.
"Laffey missed Zed very much," she whispered.
"And I missed you too!" Javelin added, throwing herself onto the pile. Thorson held Zed's hand as she tentatively embraced her sisters, the whole group of them quickly devolving into tears. Tennessee caught Thorson's eye from across the construction site where she was laying a steel support beam on her own with only the aid of her rigging. They said nothing, but he knew he'd hear from her later.
"I'll be right next door, Zed. If you can't find me, Yamashiro and Fusou are down the hall on the right. Pennsylvania and Arizona are on the left. All of them will take care of you until you can find me," he said as the destroyer trio settled themselves into their new room. Akashi had rearranged a few walls and relocated Vampire and Leander, but they had understood the necessity of the move. Zed looked at him from under her futon, bringing the warm blanket up to her chin.
"Just please don't leave me alone. I can't take that again," she admitted shamefully. Thorson watched as Laffey and Javelin moved their own futons practically on top of hers.
"You won't be alone again. Welcome to the fleet, Zed," he whispered. "You girls come find me if you need anything."
"You got it, Commander. Thanks for everything you did today," Javelin replied. He nodded and shut the door, the rice paper glowing faintly thanks to the lanterns in the hallway. "Laffey, since when do you sleep naked?" Javelin suddenly exclaimed, noticing her friend wiggling her way under the blanket with Zed, her silver hair spilling everywhere.
"Laffey remembers being scared and alone. Commander let's Laffey sleep with him, let's Laffey be very close to him. Laffey thought it was sex that she wanted but now she knows better. You should join Laffey, Zed."
"I...well alright," she agreed hesitantly, allowing Laffey to help her disrobe. Javelin gasped at her slim profile in the dim light, throwing off her blouse almost immediately and snuggling up to Zed's unoccupied side.
"We're here for you," she promised. Zed closed her eyes and shivered. She felt too many things to process.
"Danke, mein freunde," she whispered, drifting off to a relatively peaceful sleep for the first night in years thanks to Laffey's mane of hair and Javelin's warm body. Thorson only walked off down the hall when he heard them begin snoring lightly. He passed his room by, unable to even contemplate sleep. He'd keep it all in for far too long. Heading out into the night, he picked up a small stone near the dormitory entrance and chucked it as far as he could down the slope toward the docks.
"God you're pathetic. Rocks? Follow me," Tennessee called to him. She had been resting against one of the outer pillars of the building, intentionally shielding herself from sight of anyone walking out of the door. She took Thorson's hand without protest and began marching him down the stairs. They traveled silently to the docks and along the bay, listening to the waves lapping against cement and metal hulls of warships, the creak of machines of war at dock. She led him toward the civilian areas, to the school that sat across the plaza from the mess hall. "I think it's about time you hit the gym," she declared, not caring it was close to 2200 hours.
Tennessee flicked on the hallway lights as they entered a large annex adjacent to the school building. To their left were doors to a gymnasium, but Tennessee led him further down the hall to a door on their right that led to the weight room. Thorson saw the punching bag in the corner and headed for it, barely waiting for Tennessee to turn on the old halogen lights that very slowly glowed brighter in the ceiling. "Oh for the love of my cubes would you wait one bloody second!" Tennessee roared, running after him and grabbing him from behind.
"What the fuck was the point of coming all this way if-"
"If what, Commander? If you break your wrist with that abysmal form of yours? Sit your ass down and trust me goddamnit. I'm the expert on anger at this base." Tennessee shoved him roughly onto a wooden bench and tore off his shirt, throwing it unceremoniously in a heap with his hat as she grabbed tape from under the bench. "Your hands, now," she ordered. He didn't care enough to protest, watching as she knelt and skillfully taped his wrists and fingers so he would hopefully avoid injury. "Good, now warm up for five minutes. I don't care how."
"I'm going to fucking kill you, Tennessee," he muttered. "Let me hit something!"
"I'd like to see you try, you squishy meat bag," she roared back, standing aside with her arms under her breasts as she watched him pick up a jump rope and get his blood pumping. She timed him to the second.
"Good, now get over here and square up. Hit with your body, not your arms, back knuckles, not the first or second, step into it. Good, now," Tennessee paused before moving to the other side of the heavy bag. "Pretend I'm the siren cunts that killed your love, Arizona."
"Fuck you!" Thorson roared, his voice echoing off weight racks and the wooden walls as he slammed his fist into the bag. It moved a bit. It hurt a lot. He enjoyed it. Tennessee sneered at him.
"My pussy is way too good for you, Commander Thorson. Just focus on the bag. Imagine it's those Sakura bitches who slaughtered your fellow soldiers."
Thorson lashed out again, his strikes looking very little like a workout and more like attempted murder. Tennessee was snarling gleefully from behind the bag.
"How about some for those idiots who sent children to face you on the battlefield and tried to turn their soldiers into living alien slaves," she taunted. Thorson was grunting and yelling with every punch now, the chain that held the bag to the ceiling jingling happily.
"Don't give up on me now, Commander. You still have some in there for that pint sized Royal don't you? The one with the audacity to question you authority on your own base?"
"Gah...damn you to hell!" Thorson bellowed, lashing out again and again as sweat dripped from his forehead in the stale air. His shoulders burned and his knuckles stung.
"And now you'd best have saved some for the monsters who starved that young woman, who chased her halfway around the world into the arms of a man she'd never met because she had nothing else left. How about those bastards who broke her mind? You have any left for them, you weak little Union Commander?!"
"I will always have more," Thorson swore, slamming his left fist into the bag with a roar. He panted heavily and watched as a thin tail of blood leaked from his knuckles down the bag. He'd worked through the tape. Tennessee gave him an arch look.
"Good. Then I'll be there to kill them for you. Come here, Commander Thorson," she encouraged, sitting him down again and removing the tape from his hands. Thanks to a first aid kit fastened to the wall next to the entry to the locker rooms, Thorson was disinfected and bandaged quickly. Tennessee was not gentle, but she was thorough and professional. When she was done she helped him off the bench. "You good, Commander? It's not healthy keeping it in like that."
"I...thank you," Thorson replied, his chest still heaving beneath his undershirt. She enjoyed the way he smelled but hated the weak sentiment.
"I don't want your damn thanks. I want a Commander with a cool head," she shot back.
"Just take the fucking compliment Tennessee. I needed this, so thanks. No need to be such a fucking bitch about it."
"Why do I hate you so much?" She whispered, glaring at him with her sky blue eyes.
"Don't know," Thorson whispered, placing his hands on her shoulders and smashing their lips together. Tennessee's startled scream filled his mouth as she pushed him off, now breathing just as heavily as he was. He didn't look away from her once, but he did consider it the most harrowing moment of his life. She made her decision.
"If you tell anyone, I'll kill you," she declared, grabbing him by the shirt and kissing him for all she was worth, and all he was worth to boot. Kissing Penny had been tender and loving. Kissing Tennessee was warfare itself, a constant battle of lips and tongues as they struggled for dominance and her fingers dug into his back. When they finally separated Thorson ran the back of a finger over his lips while she adjusted her uniform.
"Well?" He demanded.
"My sex is still too good for you, Commander. But the next time you piss me off in a battle, we're coming here," she promised, Downes comments about her marrying Thorson coming unbidden to Tennessee's mind. He nodded.
"Understood. We're out past taps."
"Fine, I'm coming." And so the gym, and their sordid secret, was left in darkness.