Constitution couldn't recall a type she'd been in more pain. Not even the battle against Java when she lost her wheel and some of her rigging hurt this much. She could feel a bandage of sorts over her eyes. She remembered the fight against the remaining Tsarnev brother. Her side flared with pain and she whimpered. Arleigh heard her and turned. "Ah, you're awake." She said. "Arleigh, it hurts.." Constitution whimpered. "I know it does. I'll give you some pain killers in a little bit once the anesthesia fully wears off. "Dzhohkar..." She asked. "He's in police custody now. He won't be bothering you or this city again." Arleigh replied. Constitution sighed in relief. "Good..." She murmured. "Arleigh?" Cole came forward. "Yes, sis what is it?" Arleigh asked. "Bainbridge wants to know if he can come in now." Cole answered. "Please, let him..." Constitution sighed. Arleigh nodded her agreement and a minute later, the FBI agent came racing in. "Constitution! Oh look at you, I'm sorry this is my fault!" He began. Constitution stopped him right there. "First off, Issac I made my own decision. What injuries I sustained were the result of my own actions, nothing more." She grunted. He sighed. "I was so worried.." He murmured. "It'd take more than a few bullets and grenades to take me down." She chuckled, pressing her muzzle against his hand. "You might not see again." He said. "A ship can survive without her sight if she has the proper training." Constitution shrugged. Arleigh shrugged. "That's true.." She allowed, her own blind gaze flashing. Bainbridge stroked his fingers down Constitution's muzzle. The old frigate purred, pressing her head against his fingers. He smiled. "Still eager for attention." He chuckled. "Why wouldn't I be? I like a good petting when I can get it." She murmured. She sounded exhausted and Bainbridge was reminded of the fact that she hadn't slept a wink since the bombings, 3 days ago, surgery not withstanding. "Rest, Constitution." He begged her. A soft sigh escaped the frigate. "Stay with me?" She asked. "I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else." He replied. She relaxed and the smooth even breathing told him she'd fallen asleep. He continued to stroke her until exhaustion took its tole on him as well. Arleigh gently placed a blanket over him. He raised an eyebrow at her mothering but said nothing. He was soon curled up at Constitution's bow, the pair sleeping soundly through the day.
Constitution returned to her berth a few days later, the bandage still on her eyes. Arleigh came by daily to check up on her. "Well they seem to be healing nicely." She said as she applied a fresh bandage. "Do you feel anything? Any pain?" She asked. Constitution shook her head. "No, nothing." She replied. "Hmm.." Arleigh murmured. "If you do, let me know." She gave the frigate one last nuzzle before leaving. Bainbridge approached. "I know what you're going to say." Constitution said before he could even open his mouth. "And as I already told you, I made my own decisions." "But still, you-you could be blinded for life." He said. "So, I'm dockside for life. It's not like my sight is much use to me anyway." She snorted. "Still though.." He began. "No, I don't want to hear it Bainbridge. I made my own choices and I'm okay with them." She said. He sighed, giving in. "You're a stubborn bitch when you want to be." He growled. She grinned. "It's a gift." She replied, lowering her head for him to stroke. "And an attention hog." He added. She chuckled, burying her bow against his chest, her bowsprit boom resting over his shoulder. He smiled, fingers running soothing circles around her hull. Though he couldn't see it, behind the bandage Constitution's eyes changed from blue to warm amber. The mood had returned and it was the first step towards overall healing.
2 weeks later, Arleigh decided Constitution's eyes had healed as much as they could and removed the bandage. The sudden bright light came as a surprise to Constitution and her pupils contracted as she adjusted accordingly. Bainbridge related this to the healer. "Well, they seem to respond to light still. That's a good sign. Tell me, what can you see?" Arleigh asked. Constitution blinked a few times. It was a bit blurry but that soon cleared up. "I can see still, no change." She replied. "You sure?" Arleigh asked skeptically, a hint of something else in her voice. Was that envy? "Yes." Constitution replied. Arleigh sighed. "Very well then. I still recommend you come and see me at least once a week. There's still a chance that scaring might affect your vision." She said and sailed off. "She seems a bit tense. Wonder what her problem is?" Bainbridge asked. "I think I know." Constitution sighed and sailed after the destroyer.
Arleigh anchored in the middle of the harbor, her head lowered to the water's surface, looking at a reflection she could not see. "Tell me Constitution, tell me honestly how you'd feel if I told you that I wished you were blind." Arleigh murmured as she approached. The bitterness in the young healer's voice made Constitution pause. "Well," She hesitated. "I suppose I can understand how you feel." "But can you really, Connie?" Arleigh sighed. "A part of me was so hoping you would go blind from this. It goes against everything I know and love as a healer but it-it's just not fair!" She cried. "Why do you get a second chance and I don't?!" Constitution moved forward, brushing her bow against her side. "There's no clear answer for that." She sighed. "I only have one day a year that I have my sight returned to me. A day of sorrow and remembrance. Why should I only see such things? Why can't I see joy or happiness or love?" Arleigh whimpered. She fell against Constitution, sobbing. "Shhh..." She whispered. "Shh, it's okay." "Why me?! What did I do to deserve this?!" Arleigh wailed. "I don't know, Arleigh. I don't know." Constitution replied. "Why did Missouri come rescue me? She should've left me there. She should've left me to die! I want to die! I want it!" Arleigh sobbed. "Don't you think that. Don't you even think that for a second!" Constitution growled. "You are the fleet's trusted healer. New Jersey can't manage on her own. If you died, I can't imagine the pain the fleet would feel for that. Sure, you could see among the Ancients, but would you really want to see what would happen if you died?" Arleigh sighed. "No, I wouldn't." She admitted at last. "I'm being so selfish, thinking like this! Forgive me Connie!" She begged. "Of course I will." Constitution replied. "You have every right to feel the way you do." She held Arleigh, rocking her back and forth gently and for the rest of the day, she never once left the healer's side.
"Stay with me!" Arleigh begged her as she settled in her berth that night. "Of course." Constitution replied. Though the frigate was smaller than the destroyer, Arleigh curled into her side with ease and Constitution, being the protective leader she was, rested her head over hers and the pair fell quickly and quietly to sleep.
