A/N: Just so everyone's aware, from 'Coming From Down Under' to this chapter all takes place in the set of one day.

Also, hope Bristol doesn't get too much hate.

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Anya suddenly stopped as she turned the corner, her face suddenly meeting someone's stomach. Backing up somewhat, rubbing her nose as she did so, she glanced up at the woman in question. "Sorry about that Kentucky." The blonde said. The Iowa class offered a small smile.

"It's no problem Admiral." She said in response. Anya nodded at that a moment before looking back up to the Iowa.

"You got a minute?" She asked. Kentucky blinked somewhat at that for a moment before nodding.

"I suppose. Why? Is there something you need from me?" The battleship asked, peering down at the blonde. Anya shrugged at that as she gestured for the battleship to follow her.

"Walk with me. I wanna have a chat with you." She said in reply. The littlest Iowa, the name being relative, simply offered a nod as she made stride with the woman she knew as her Admiral.

"Yes Admiral?" She asked as she looked to the woman.

"You been alright since Thanksgiving? I know we've talked and had chats since then, but I haven't really straight up asked you about this since then. Since that night. So, you been settling in well? No more regrets?" She asked. Kentucky thought about it a moment, tapping a finger to her chin before shaking her head.

"None." The battleship said. Anya nodded in acceptance.

"Feel that you have a place among the fleet?" She asked. Kentucky nodded in turn as the two walked on, her hands behind her back as she did so.

"Yes." She Agreed. "Umm, Admiral... I feel that it, even though quite late comparatively speaking, that I apologize for my actions that day. I never actually got around to doing so even after the fact and it's the one thing that's bugged me more than anything." She said. Anya nodded as she knocked her knuckles against the Iowa's stomach.

"You're forgiven." She said as she looked up to the Iowa. Kentucky blinked somewhat.

"Surely it cant be that simple. I injured you after all. Surely you can not be so lax about it." She said, looking to the woman. Anya shrugged.

"You, Tenryuu, Tirpitz, Admiral Hipper. You've all injured me in one way or the other. But at the end of the day, I'm still here. And the only one who actually meant something with it has made her peace with what had caused it in the first place. With you, I was pushing an envelope I shouldn't have been and like I said before, that was my mistake." She said. Kentucky held her tongue a moment.

"I still... feel rather strongly that I did something like that to you." The battleship said. Anya shrugged at that, glancing up to the woman.

"At least you recognize that you did something wrong at the very least." She admitted. "But even then, it's no big worry. I'm still here, I'm okay, and you're still here too. In the end, everything went alright."

"I don't know how much me shoving you to the ground counts as alright, Admiral." The battleship offered. Anya held a moment at that, thinking on her words, before nodding.

"Fair point. Maybe not the best way to put that. But the fact still stands is that everyone Came out of it. You did. I did. Everyone did." She said. Kentucky snorted at that.

"Maryland especially." The Iowa said. Anya winced at that.

"Yeah... perhaps I should get an apology from her to you about that." She said. Kentucky shrugged in return.

"I mean, do or don't, it really doesn't matter to me. If she willingly decided to rush an Iowa like that, I can't really say anything too much. Especially not when she was doing it for you." The battleship said. When Anya opened her mouth to say something in turn, Kentucky simply smiled. "Look, I'm still new to this whole human thing and so is she. You, the Captains, Ishigara, Herkunft. You all are the experts here. And you're gonna tell me what Maryland did that night wasn't in the least bit influenced by the fact that she watched you go down? Hard?" She asked. Anya only sighed at that.

"Okay, it was. But that doesn't mean I can't get her to offer an apology." She said.

"It's one that I won't accept." Kentucky Answered in return. Anya held a moment before nodding somewhat at that, eventually looking up to the battleship.

"If you're sure." She said. When Kentucky nodded at that, Anya did so as well. "Alright then." She said in finality.

"I am." She Agreed.

"Okay then. Well, if you're sure everything's good and all that, we should probably make our way over to the Mess Hall. Dinner's fixing to start." She said. Kentucky nodded at that as the two began to head that way, the battleship looking to Anya as she did so.

"So Admiral? When do you think we'll be able to get around to summoning the other three of my sisters?" She asked as she looked to the woman. Anya shrugged at that.

"I don't know exactly. That's a serious problem because moving Missouri here just that was a serious risk. We can't move Iowa or Wisconsin. And we certainly can't take New Jersey from the Med. Her task force is really the only thing keeping the Mediterranean usable. She goes down and there's gonna be a lot of problems. Largely for Italy. And remember, you're not the only one with a sister in active service like that."

"Alabama." Kentucky Answered.

Anya nodded. "And if your sister is anything to go by, we need to actually have Ship girls on board their hulls. So as much as I realize that you may want to see your sisters." She said.

"Flying Ship girls all the way over the world just for that isn't exactly the best use of limited resources." Kentucky concluded. Anya nodded at that as she did so.

"Exactly. Now, I'm not saying that you won't eventually meet your other three sisters like this. As a human. But it's most likely going to be a good while before we're presented with the chance." She said. Kentucky held a moment before nodding at that. However, the two found them being rapidly approached from behind, Anya and the battleship turning to look.

They found Omaha and Memphis approaching them, the two light cruisers now pacing themselves with the Admiral and Battleship. Waiting a moment, Anya nodded to the two of them.

"Omaha. Memphis. Hows first day on base been?" Anya asked as she looked to the sisters. "This is Kentucky by the way. Don't know if you girls have gotten the chance to meet yet." She said. And based on the small wave of greeting Kentucky offered, it being returned by the two, she'd guessed not.

"Weird....?" Omaha Answered.

"Weird." Memphis Agreed with her older sister.

"Weird as in the being human factor or weird as in you're within walking distance of both the Japanese and German fleets?" Anya asked as she glanced to the two.

"All of the above." Memphis said. "It's really weird being human, being able to chat and talk with people, being able to move under our own will. But it's even weirder that we, like you said, are in such close proximity to those we once called enemies. I ran into Yamato today... and well, she wasn't what I was expecting. None of this is what I was expecting when I responded to the call."

"You ran into Yamato?" Omaha asked, surprised. "I ran into Nagato and Mutsu and I really couldn't find myself even somewhat calm afterwards. I mean, I'm sure I'll adjust eventually, but this all still really surreal. Even though they were both super nice..." she sighed. "I probably seemed like a real jerk considering the only thing I said to them was hi before I immediately ran off."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that. Nagato And Mutsu are part of the reason Arizona was able to adjust so well when she first crossed over. They know any new American summons are likely to have reservations about this situation they find themselves in and they'll allow you your space as long as you don't go causing trouble. The original sixty were always pretty good with that, a few exceptions in that group." Anya said.

"Exceptions?" Omaha asked.

"I mean, none of them really Came after the first seven with any sort of grudge, which considering Enterprise was apart of the first group, it was somewhat surprising. But there's more than a few that have been a bit-standoffish. Zuikaku And Musashi notably. And a few others less inclined, like Kaga. But none of them ever actually threatened them directly." She said. Kentucky chuckled.

"Though the Japanese have not been the only ones that had been standoffish." The battleship said.

"Our girls?" Memphis asked.

"Notably, Saratoga is the prime candidate for the opposed of our side. But everyone's been kind of vocal with the whole thing. Honestly, your group has kind of been the quietest with the whole subject. Though, trying to start a brawl in the presence of three Admirals and two Captains is a questionable vouch to that." Anya said. "Though, we're not really sure who started it so I'll let it go."

"Is Saratoga still standoffish?" Omaha asked. Anya shrugged in response to that as she did so.

"She's certainly not ideal, but she's better than she was." Anya said after a moment. "She's seemed to drastically calm down though since the Germans began to arrive in force." She said.

"Prinz." Kentucky supplied. Anya looked up to the battleship in some surprise.

"Prinz? Prinz Eugen?" She asked for confirmation. Kentucky nodded at that.

"She was hanging out with Prinz, Bismarck, And Tirpitz today at Houshou's." The battleship Answered. "And even before that, she's been sticking close to Prinz." She said.

"Hmmm... Wonder if it's because of Crossroads..." Anya muttered to herself. Kentucky shrugged in response before the two looked back to the cruisers. "Anyways, that aside, you girls meet anyone friendly I hope?" The Admiral Asked.

"Ummm.. We met Atago and Takao. That went well enough... I guess?" Omaha Answered. Anya snorted at that as Memphis shrugged.

"Köln doesn't seem too bad but I was only able to trade a few words with her before I got spooked. I'm sorry, but the U-boats aren't exactly the friendliest and most approachable girls on base." The Light Cruiser said. Anya shrugged at that.

"You'll get used to em eventually." Anya said as she glanced at the two. "They seem unapproachable I know, but they're really quite nice when you actually spend some time around them." She told the two. The two only nodded somewhat hesitantly at that as the four continued to near the Mess Hall, the blonde more than ready for dinner after today. It'd been long and tiring and she was more than ready to crawl into bed and sleep for hours on end. But the blonde knew better than that, And was expecting a few more snags in the road before she actually got her wish.

Not quite a snag however, Anya suddenly herself and the other three American ship girls suddenly staring the members of the Asashio class of destroyers down, the five looking up at them in turn. Racking her brain for names, she held a moment before pointing to the lead ship. "Asashio right?" She asked.

The lead destroyer offered only the smallest of nods, she and three others seeming to watch the four women with a sense of unease before the fifth, Kasumi if she remembered right, stepped out in front of the four.

"Don't you go harassing my sisters!" The destroyer yelled, standing defiantly in front of them. Anya only shrugged at that as she went to step around the destroyer, Kentucky and the two light Cruisers following after her. Kasumi only blinked, only watching them go a moment before her eldest sister slapped her hands against her face.

"Kasumi-chan!" Asashio whined. "We were gonna introduce ourselves!" The destroyer said as she wheeled on her sister.

"Admiral! W-Wait!" Arashio cried as she ran to get in front of the blonde and her trio of Ship girls.

"Please don't mind Kasumi." Minegumo said as she glanced at her sister. "She really has our best intentions at heart, she can just be a little abrasive." The destroyer said.

"Abrasive?!" Kasumi yelled. "She has an American battleship right next to her! You're gonna tell me this isn't the time to be Abrasive?" She demanded. Asagumo shrugged as she neared her sisters.

"I dunno. None of them look very mean." The destroyer offered. Anya chuckled as Omaha rolled her eyes.

"Gee. Thanks I guess." The Light Cruiser said as she crossed her arms. Memphis chuckled somewhat at that as Minegumo looked between the two cruisers a moment before looking up at Kentucky, the Iowa returning the gaze.

"You are a battleship, right?" Minegumo Asked. Kentucky nodded slowly at that as she peered down at the destroyer.

"Iowa class." The battleship Answered. "Kentucky." Minegumo only looked more surprised, gazing up at the woman a moment before turning her attention to Arashio, who was still standing in front of Anya in a desperate attempt to keep her there. The American Admiral, for all her worth, simply watched a moment before looking to the destroyer.

"So. Do you know who I am?" Anya asked.

"Vice Admiral Anya S. Johnson of the United States Navy." Arashio recalled.

"But do you know who we are?" Asagumo asked as she waved a hand.

"I don't know faces to the names. But the names are Asashio, Arashio, Kasumi, Minegumo, And Asagumo. Also coming through with you was Kuma and Tama." She said. "Though considering what you five have revealed so far, the one with the temper is Kasumi."

Kasumi grumbled at that as Minegumo and Asagumo laughed somewhat at their sister's misfortune.

"So our Admiral really told you who we are?" Asashio asked as she looked to Anya. The blonde nodded at that.

"He and Admiral Herkunft gave all twenty one of your names to the three of us. And you'll probably meet the rest of the fleet sooner or later. That's, assuming of course, that the Gateway decides to cool down for a bit. If not, well, then I guess we're all fucked." She offered. Kentucky snorted in amusement as Omaha and Memphis looked to the five destroyers.

"You guys heading to dinner too?" Memphis asked.

"Well of course we are. What'd you think we were doing?" Kasumi asked. "It's not exactly like we can go out on the water." She offered, a roll of the eyes thrown in. Memphis scowled at the response as Anya chuckled as the now group of nine began to ever so slowly continue on their way to dinner.

"Well, come on then. Dinner won't wait for us and neither will the fleet." Anya said in finality as she lead the way, the eight ship girls falling in behind her, Kasumi begrudgingly.

When they came across the Mess Hall, they found other members of the fleet approaching as well..

Stepping inside, that allowed the destroyers, two cruisers, and one battleship to split off along to their own tables where sisters and friends were already waiting for them. This in turn gave Anya to option to go to her own table, sitting with the Command staff of Yokosuka and Emma. Maryland this time around was seated with Admiral Hipper, Prinz Eugen, Blücher, Saratoga, Bismarck, And Tirpitz.

Approaching the table, she eased herself into a seat as she immediately began to go about preparing herself a plate as Sofia looked to the woman.

"You and Kentucky have a talk?" She asked. Anya shrugged in response to the question.

"Sort of? Just checking in with her after what happened back on Thanksgiving." She said. "As far as I can tell, what was bugging her is no longer bugging her, at least, not to nearly the same effect." She offered. The Captain nodded at that as King and Saradia looked to the two.

"Was there something bothering Kentucky?" King asked as Saradia nodded in agreement.

"When she Came through originally back In November, she'd sold herself on the point that because she'd been unfinished in her previous life, she wasn't useful for anything in this life." Anya said.

"The good Admiral here got a dislocated shoulder and cracked ribs for it. And Kentucky got a very intimate encounter with Maryland's fists." Sofia said. King arched a brow as Saradia did the same.

"Like she did with Hipper?" The German woman asked. Anya nodded at that.

"Exactly." Anya said. "Maryland had been, at that point, heavily suppressing just how much Pearl Harbor had effected her. And the first time I got injured or was put to harm, the suppression snapped and so did she." She Answered.

"Just how many ship girls have you been injured by?" Saradia asked. "I'm considering myself somewhat curious now." She said. Anya chuckled somewhat.

"First full day on base, Tenryuu slammed me into the ground. Bout a day after or two after Tirpitz came through, she slept walked her way into my room. Trying to stir her from sleep met her fist with my stomach. Kentucky, as I just said, pushed me to the ground when I tried to push a subject that she didn't want to talk about. And Hipper laid a hand on me because of ideals she didn't quite understand." She Answered. "And here I am still breathing."

"Quit raising death flags." Sofia warned, lazily waving a fork in her direction. Anya shrugged at that as the others assembled at their table.

"So what I'm hearing is going off that trend, it's gonna be another cruiser next." King offered unhelpfully.

"Please no." Anya pleaded. "Watching Mary go three for three undefeated is not something I really need nor want to watch." The Admiral Answered, letting her eyes wander over the room to the battleship, who seemed to be speaking animatedly with both Hipper and Blücher.

Though, as she looked on, she also noted various other ship girls, both American and not, watching the two with a sense of unease.

Watching Mary a moment longer, Anya turned back to the table, sipping at her drink.

"As you can probably guess, there's still a number of girls with problems or grudges against Admiral Hipper." Ishigara explained. "But no one has acted on this yet and I don't expect them to. At least, not in ways that are so blatantly obvious."

"Speaking of blatantly obvious." Saradia spoke up. "Bismarck has requested the right for the ability to adopt a cat. I have no problem with it, but seeing as this is not a German Base." She offered, looking to Ishigara.

"A cat?" Sofia asked.

"She's trying to win Ark Royal's favor." Saradia told her. King arched a brow.

"With a cat?" King asked.

"Unsinkable Sam." Ishigara explained. "A cat that spent time aboard both Bismarck and Ark Royal, Cossack as well. Believed to have belonged to one of Bismarck's crew. As for the answer, I do not see any issue of why they not be allowed a pet of some sorts." He said. "I assume that you told Bismarck it is her job to provide for the feline in question?" He asked. Saradia nodded at that.

"I assumed as much and I made that point to her. She said is willing to provide for it and I'll assist where I can as well." She said.

"Honestly, a cat's a step down from Vampire's choice of pet. I'd say it would be a welcome change." King offered. Some of those assembled chuckled at that.

"Though, should we be concerned about everyone wanting to have a pet of sorts?" Anya asked. "A few would be fine, but we can't simply all the sudden end up with over 200 pets. We'd have to draw the line somewhere I would assume." She said. Ishigara nodded.

"And we will when we begin to notice an issue. But right now, one cat will not change the base's life too drastically." He surmised. Sofia nodded at that.

"So who gave her the idea for the cat in the first place, if I may ask?" The captain inquired.

"Saratoga." Saradia told her. Sofia looked surprised at that as Anya simply nodded at the information, taking it in somewhat before chuckling.

"May the surprises never cease." The Admiral said.

"Just so we're all clear, I'm putting a stop to the pets the second someone comes near me with a snake." Sofia said with a stern warning in her voice. Anya chuckled at that as King looked surprised.

"Boy oh boy, you absolutely would've loved the python I had as a kid. I mean, she was just the meanest thing around. Could easily kill ya with just a look." The man said, slipping into a more than passable Steve Irwin impression. Sofia scowled at the man, King laughing at the expression in turn as the other three present laughed, Emma simply watching with a curious gaze.

"How're we enjoying Dinner on this fine night?" Liz asked as she approached.

"The good Captain here is afraid of a few snakes." King offered. Liz looked surprised.

"Oh why though? I remember, I used to have this little black snake. Such a charmer, He was." She offered. Sofia glared at King in response, only serving the man to cackle in response, Liz offering a laugh of her own before she noticed something. Glancing over at the other side of the room, Liz looked to Anya.

"You're being hailed, Johnson." She said. Anya cast her gaze to the same direction that Liz had looked, and found Hiryuu waving rapidly at her, trying desperately to get her attention. Arching a brow, the blonde woman shrugged as she slowly got up before making her way through the maze of tables full of ship girls to reach the carrier table that the woman was seated at.

"Yes, Hiryuu?" The woman asked when she reached the table, the orange themed carrier looking up at the woman in a demanding fashion.

"Like, did you do something to Langley?" She asked. "Because she Came storming back into the carrier range earlier, and I don't care if you were Japanese, American, British, German, or Australian. She looked about ready to make heads roll and we all feared for our life. Houshou had to take her back to the Cafe to get her to cool off." She said, the other carriers at the table, Souryuu, Taihou, Ryuujou, Jun'you, Cabot, And Shouhou all nodding in agreement. Anya arched a brow at that for a moment before glancing to the last member of the table, that being Lexington.

Immediately noticing the Admiral's gaze upon her, the woman narrowed her eyes at the blonde in a playful manner.

"Oh, I didn't do anything." Anya said in finality, her eyes gazing at Lexington with amusement. "I'm sure Langley's just a little worked up. I'd think the last few days have been a little stressful for my secretary ship." She offered in support.

"But I've never seen Langley-San that worked up." Shouhou offered. Anya shrugged at that somewhat as she put her hands on her hips.

"Dunno what to tell you honestly." Anya offered as she ruffled Lexington's hair, the Carrier making no move against it.

"Liar." Lexington snorted. Anya's ruffling soon turned into a full on noogie, the woman driving her knuckles into the carrier's head for a moment before relenting.

The carrier only laughed at that.

"I wonder if there's something we can do for Langley-San." Ryuujou offered.

"Lock her and mom in a room together already?" Jun'you offered unhelpfully, sipping at the bottle of sake. Lexington laughed at that, Jun'you showing a grin in response as she high-fived the Carrier.

"Lewd." Taihou hissed as Souryuu giggled.

"I think it might be best if we just let Langley have her space." Anya suggested. "I really haven't ever seen her worked up before so I'd would really like it not to turn into something worse later on, you get me?" She asked. Some of the carrier's present nodded at that in understand, Lexington and Jun'you still snickering at their own option.

"We understand Admiral." Cabot Answered her. Anya nodded in acceptance at that. And as she did so, yet another ship girl waving in her direction caught her attention.

"Does it never stop?" Anya asked.

"No." Came the unified answer.

Rolling her eyes hard, she began to make way for the table now trying to flag down her attention, a table composed largely of the Shiratsuyu class. The only exception to the rule was Hatsuharu.

"Yes, Kawakaze?" Anya asked as she approached, stepping up to the table as she looked to the destroyer that had been rapidly trying to catch her attention. "What do you need?" She asked, laying a hand on the destroyer's head.

"We were just discussin what might happen after the war ends, what happens to the ship girls. What happens to us?" The destroyer explained. "And we wanted a second opinion." The destroyer said. Anya arched a brow.

"Is this something you're concerned with?" She asked.

"Shouldn't we be?" Shiratsuyu asked. "I mean, after the war, what then? What use are we gonna be? What purpose would we have? Are we gonna be stuck at these sizes forever?" She asked, the oldest of the ten glancing at the blonde.

"Okay." Anya admitted. "You might have a point. What do you girls think might happen?" She asked.

"We're gonna be stuck like this forever." Suzukaze supplied.

"We're gonna Be allowed to actually grow up?" Murasame Asked to no one in particular. Anya chuckled at that.

"Oh no. I don't think the world would be ready for a fully grown Shiratsuyu class." She said. "The idea of Yuudachi driving alone is nightmare inducing." She said with a laugh. Kakawakze snorted in amusement as Yuudachi stood with indignation.

"I'd be a great driver, poi!" The blonde destroyer cried.

"As long as the roads are clear of any other living being maybe..." Shiratsuyu said under her breath. But given the fact that Yuudachi was seated right next to her older sister, the destroyer wheeled on the girl with a finger pointed in defiance, Shiratsuyu putting her hands up in mock surrender as she laughed, watching her younger sister with mirth in her eyes.

"Perhaps the Gateway will recall us when we're done..." Samidare suggested. Though her tone was not one that suggested the girl wanted this to be the end result. Immediately, the table quieted considerably. Anya shrugged.

"Well, if it does, we'll have to have one hell of a going away party." She said, prompting the ten to look up at her. "But that's also just one possibility. This is the Gateway we're talking about. It's never been predictable. And if we're predicting that it's gonna take you all away, that's probably the least likely thing it's gonna do. For all we know, it turn you all male when the war's over." She said, looking over them.

But as she did so, the visage of a rather attractive northern state named male battleship began to creep up into her mind. And as she slowly let her imagination-

Anya shook her head at that.

"Us? Ship boys?" Shiratsuyu asked with a crinkle of her nose.

"Yeah, no thanks. Still trying to get the whole girl half of Shipgirl down." Kawakaze said. "I'd rather not mix it up yet again. Becoming human was more than enough of a shock." She said, most of her sisters agreeing with the statement. Anya shrugged.

"Okay, so maybe that one was a stretch. But I'm sticking with my original point in that worrying about what the Gateway will or won't due is not something we need to worry about right now." She offered. "Who knows, after the war, the Navies May see it fit to keep you girls in action for a while, to try and hold losses firm after what we lost in this war." She said.

"So we can be used against the girls of other nations?" Harusame asked quietly, almost in a haunted tone.

The table grew quiet almost immediately.

"No." Anya replied. "I meant more along the lines of simply holding the peace until they can get conventional forces back moving again." She supplied, willing the subject to change.

"So more like peacekeepers?" Umikaze asked. Anya nodded at that, almost too eagerly for her own good.

"Yeah, something along those lines." She said. "But then again, the Navy might just let you go from your service after the war. I can see the Navies searching for families that would be willing to take in the destroyers and subs." She said.

"You mean like they would adopt us?" Shigure asked, looking up to the woman. Anya nodded at that.

"Yeah, something like that." She offered. "Though, I can't imagine anyone crazy enough to take all ten of you hooligans." She said said as she placed a hand on Shiratsuyu's head. The lead destroyer frowned at that as she looked up to the woman.

"Are you saying we wouldn't be good children?" She asked.

"I'm saying that the ten of you would be a serious handful and I fear for the sanity of the woman that may one day call herself your mother." She said with a laugh. "Especially after we saw what the Monster incident did." She offered, glancing down to Shiratsuyu.

The destroyer in question quickly averted her eyes.

Her sisters laughed.

Anya simply grinned as she ruffled the destroyer's hair a moment before glancing around the Mess Hall once again, her gaze landing on Atlanta and her sisters. And The Gleaves.

But Tenryuu was seated a different table with Tatsuta and DesDiv 6.

At that point, the sight of Atlanta's fairy turning Tenryuu's away once again entered her mind. Clicking her tongue a moment, she offered a wave to the Shiras.

"I'll talk to you later girls." She said before making her way towards the Atlanta's table.

"A-Admiral!" Ellyson greeted with a wave when she noted the woman approaching. Anya offered a smile at that, waving back as she stepped up behind Reno and Oakland, resting her hands on their shoulders.

"So how are my favorite destroyers doing today?" Anya asked as she looked over the six.

"Hey!" Hoel called, apparently having overheard the comment. Anya shrugged.

"They haven't caused any fights." She called back before looking back to the six.

"We're doing pretty good, Admiral." Bristol Answered, munching her way through a piece of toast. Anya nodded at that as she looked to the other five.

"Like she said." Fitch offered.

"Mhm." McCalla said. Anya arched a brow at that.

"You guys seem pretty low energy today. What? All the new summons finally catch up with you?" She asked as she made her way around the table. Bristol shrugged her shoulders as she lazily munched at another piece of toast, nodding a moment later.

"The Captain told us to be behave." She offered.

"And we did." Mervine explained. Anya snorted.

"So behaving takes more energy out of you girls than letting you run wild?" She asked, garnering a load of giggles from the destroyers. "Noted. I'll have to keep that in mind." She said as she ruffled Bristol's and Ellyson's hair before turning her gaze to the five cruisers seated at the table. "So how about you ladies? How's the largest cruiser class on base at the moment?"

"Pretty good all things considered." Oakland offered.

"Just trying to give the new summons their space." Juneau offered. "Somewhat difficult though when we all eat in the same Mess Hall." She said with a laugh.

"Discussin... things." Atlanta laughed with a knowing smirk.

"Atlanta's just bullshittin us with a story about how you said that you wanted Maryland to...." Reno dragged on, glancing to the six destroyers. "Do things to you." She said, waving a dismissive hand.

"Oh, no, that's not false." Anya said immediately, garnering surprised expressions from Atlanta's sisters. "Those words did indeed leave my mouth. But not in the context I'm sure she probably provided."

"I-it's true?!" San Diego blurted in surprise. Anya shrugged at that before giving a nod.

"Yeah, Like I said though, wrong context." She said.

"Maybe I should raise my bet..." Oakland muttered. Anya bopped her upside the back of the head for the comment, the cruiser laughing in response as she mock shielded her head from another strike from the Admiral. Rolling her eyes, she put her hands on her hips.

"So... can I inquire as to why DesDiv Six, Tenryuu, or Tatsuta are not present at this table as well? They've kind of been your ladies companions on base since the day Atlanta came through. What gives?" She asked. And almost immediately, she was given some sort of answer as four of the cruisers immediately grew quiet as Atlanta's eyes suddenly found her food that much more interesting.

Yep. Something was amiss.

Letting her eyes wander over the table a moment, Anya eventually made her way over to Atlanta, easing herself into the empty chair next to the woman as she did so, watching her a moment. "Something you wanna talk about?" She asked, watching Atlanta carefully, her tone quieting so that the tables close by wouldn't know something they had no right to.

"'S nothin Admiral." Atlanta said, her eyes not wandering up from her food. Anya watched her a moment before sighing somewhat, scratching her head a bit before leaning into the cruiser, her mouth practically next to her ear.

"I know something happened between you and Tenryuu. And at this point, you can't even imagine how far over I am to someone saying it's nothing when clearly it's something." Anya said. "So here's what we're gonna do. We're going to talk about this and you're going to tell me what's wrong. We can talk here. We can talk outside. Or you can come to my office after dinner, but we will discuss this. You don't have to give any more info than you want, you don't have to tell me the whole story, but I need to know you're ok." She said quietly.

Atlanta's jaw tensed a moment before she warily let her eyes wander over to the woman a moment before sighing.

"Outside." The Cruiser said. Anya nodded at that as she stood, allowing the woman to stand as well. The Admiral offered the table a small smile before following the light cruiser to the doors of the Mess Hall and out of them. When she was sure they'd closed behind her, she looked to Atlanta.

"So what'd she do? Didn't hurt you, right?" Anya asked, crossing her arms as she narrowed her eyes. When Atlanta didn't respond, Anya pressed on. "Atlanta. I need an answer." Her voice growing stern.

"No, she didn't hurt me... at least not physically." Atlanta said. Anya arched a brow at that before letting a sigh sound off, quickly realizing where this was going.

"So you had a fight?" She asked. Atlanta shook her head.

"I asked... I asked her what she thought about love." The Cruiser said. Anya had to resist the urge to wince at that.

"She didn't take it well?" Anya inquired.

"She laughed at me. Right in my face." Atlanta Replied, her gaze meeting the ground and no where else. Anya sighed somewhat at that, taking a moment to think about her response before she spoke.

"Didn't say anything else?" Anya asked. Atlanta shrugged.

"What else did she need to do?" Atlanta asked, glancing up at the woman. And from where Anya was, she could see tears lining the cruiser's eyes. A sigh escaped from Anya's lips at that, offering no words in return as she extended her arms for the light cruiser, Atlanta finding her way into them. The cruiser wrapped her arms around Anya as the blonde rubbed one of her shoulders a moment. And only a moment before the cruiser's shoulders began to shake, choked sobs sounding from the cruiser. Anya didn't say or do anything, instead simply standing there as she let the light cruiser, her first ship girl, a woman born in the 1940's, cry over a heartbreak.

The blonde simply stood there as she let the readhead cry into her chest, Anya simply holding her as she did so, still rubbing her shoulder as she merely leaned down and kissed the top of her head.

A few moments later, Atlanta's cries slowly stopped, her shoulders still shaking somewhat as she began to calm down. Anya only offered a small sigh as she continued to hold the cruiser a moment longer.

"So she didn't say anything after that?" She asked. Atlanta slowly shook her head, not taking her face from Anya's chest.

"I didn't stick around long enough to hear anything else if she did..." Atlanta told her. Anya blinked at that a moment before glancing at the cruiser.

"You didn't...?" She asked. Atlanta simply shook her head at the question.

"No, I was kind of more focused on the fact that she had just laughed in my face." The Cruiser said. Anya waited a few moments before pursing her lips.

"I think... you may have jumped to conclusions." She said after a moment. At that, Atlanta pulled back as she looked Anya in the face, her brows furrowed somewhat.

"What do you mean?" She asked, narrowing her gaze at the woman.

"I don't think it was so much the fact that she was intentionally rude to you more of the fact that I think you caught her off guard." She told the cruiser.

"Catch her? Catch Tenryuu, off guard?" She questioned. Anya rolled her eyes.

"We are talking about the same eye-patch wearing, katana wielding cruiser right? The same one who asks people if they're scared while also making the slightest squeaks when you catch her off guard from behind, yeah? That Tenryuu?" She asked.

"Yeah... but laughing in my face?" Atlanta asked. Anya shrugged.

"Like I said, it sounds like she laughed out of nerves rather than trying to be malicious. The question of Love has always been something that sets nerves off and gets people jittery. It's not a question that anyone really ever knows the answer to until it's looking them in the face." She said.

"So... She was nervous?" She asked.

"In the time I have known Light Cruiser Tenryuu , She has never once struck me as someone to be intentionally rude. When I tell you that I think this happened because she suddenly became very nervous, I'm telling you that in full confidence." She said.

"Oh..." Atlanta eventually let out. "Well... I feel stupid now." She said. Anya shrugged.

"I might be wrong too, so don't keep everything in my word. But, giving the two of you some space won't hurt things either. Give her a few days, and I'm sure this will work out. If it doesn't, let me know and I'll go chasing her out of her dorms again." She said. "But don't feel stupid. Love makes people do interesting things that sometimes, we don't really understand." She told the Cruiser. "Another warning I was never given when joining the Navy. The warning that I'd be giving relationship advice to a seventy year old woman." She sighed.

Atlanta only chuckled at that as she wiped her eyes.

"You know, you making your first ship girl cry isn't really the best way to be a good Admiral." Atlanta said. Anya rolled her eyes.

"I didn't make you cry. You made yourself cry." She replied in response. Atlanta huffed at that.

"I'm the first American ship girl to come through. I set a precedent and everything!" Atlanta declared.

"I'm not sure how well of a precedent we're talkin here when your face ate pavement, but I mean, I'll give it to ya." Anya said with a shrug, crossing her arms. Atlanta only frowned at that.

"You're making me feel real awful here Admiral. I think I deserve some compensation." The Cruiser said with a huff. Anya tilted head to the side.

"Compensation?" She asked. "And what kind of compensation are we talkin about here?" The Admiral Asked as she looked to the woman.

"Information." She asked.

Oh.

So she was now playing that angle was she?

"You wanna know why I haven't gotten with Maryland, don't ya?" Anya asked with a placated expression. Immediately, Atlanta nodded as pleaded.

"Pleeeeease? Don't make me invoke first ship girl rule." Atlanta demanded.

"First ship girl rule?" Anya asked in turn.

"Yep. Only me, Ryuujou, Tirpitz, Ark, Vampire, and Strasbourg can lay claim to it." Atlanta told her a matter-of-factly.

"That's not a thing." Anya fired back.

"Is too." Came the response.

"Is not." She replied.

"How would you know?! You're not a ship girl!" Atlanta accused with a pointed finger. Anya only stared.

"What does that... you know what, never mind." She said. "So you really want to know?" She asked.

Atlanta nodded eagerly. Anya sighed somewhat, rubbing her head before looking to the cruiser.

"You say nothing to no one. You tell nothing to no one. You admit nothing to no one." Anya said, lazily gesturing to the Cruiser. "If I tell you anything, it is in confidence between just the two of us and you will not repeat a single thing to anyone. Your sisters. Your friends. The destroyers. An-y-one. We clear?" She asked.

Atlanta nodded eagerly.

"Can I stay in the betting pool?" She asked her Admiral. "I'll even give you and Maryland a percentage of my wins!" She offered.

"Seven percent." Anya requested.

"Deal." Atlanta Agreed. "Now spill." She said.

"You're gonna feel really dumb." Anya warned her. Atlanta rolled her eyes.

"Fat chance. Now come on, details. Why haven't you and Maryland finally gotten together?" Atlanta asked. But instead of speaking, instead of verbally responding, Anya's only response was to hold up her right hand, the tops of her fingers facing Atlanta.

"What..? I don't.." Atlanta trailed off as she looked over Anya's hand. "I don't know what you are trying to-" Atlanta suddenly stopped as the woman watched the cruiser's eyes seemingly snap to the woman's ring. Anya rolled her eyes at that somewhat as she watched the cruiser's eyes snap between her and the ring, over and over and over. "What?" Atlanta eventually asked.

"New Year's." Anya told her. "I gave my ring to Mary on New Year's." She said. "Since then, the two of us have been wearing matching rings in front of everyone and haven't even made the slightest move to try and hide them. None of the fleet's noticed though either way. It literally took me standing out here and showing you like this for someone to actually see it." She said.

"That... i didn't expect." She said before grinning. "So. Is sleeping all you're doing?" Atlanta asked with a waggle of the her brows. Anya rolled her eyes as she planted her hands on Atlanta's cheeks, pulling at them.

"I didn't realize my first ship girl was also such a lecherous boat." The woman said. Atlanta only laughed in response at that, wrapping her arms around the woman again for a moment before pulling away.

"I'm gonna go back now." Atlanta said.

"Remember. Give her a few days. She doesn't do anything, I'll come after her." She said with a smile. Atlanta smiled back as she nodded before turning and making her way into the Mess, Anya simply watching her go.

"I always figured I'd have a conversation about love with my own kids, not a warship." Anya said more to herself than anyone.

"Is there really any difference at this point?" Liz asked from her side, prompting the blonde to look at the woman in surprise.

"Oh, hey Liz." Anya greeted. Liz smiled back as she sipped at her mug.

"My question still stands. Many of these girls see you as a mother while others see you as a sister. And I imagine, there's one who sees you as a lover." Liz Answered. "But all see you as the Admiral." Anya huffed at that.

"I certainly don't remember signing up for that part of the deal. This is one hell of a family." Anya said. Liz shrugged.

"Isn't it always?" She asked with a smile. Anya shrugged as she offered a wave in passing before making her way back into the Mess Hall, Elizabeth Hiroshi simply watching her go.

The woman smiled, taking another sip from her mug, before following after her.

—/—\—

"I had a question." Anya said as she began to rifle through one of her drawers, glancing at the other occupant of the room.

"Hmm?" Maryland asked as she casted her gaze to the woman from the book she was reading.

"Back when they were interrogating me for information of why I hadn't gotten with you." She said, chuckling somewhat. "Pennsylvania mentioned someone known as Momi that you would apparently consider a mother. Who... who is Momi?" She asked. Maryland arched a brow at that before smirking.

"Why? You wanna know that badly?" Maryland asked in almost a teasing fashion.

"Yes! Of course I do. If she's like a mother to you, I'd like to know who it is." She said. Maryland smiled at that somewhat.

"But you've already met Dreadnought." She offered. Anya nodded.

"But Enterprise seemed to know who she was as well too. But for the life of me, the name Momi doesn't ring any bells." She said. Maryland nodded at that, glancing back to her book a moment.

"Mmmm, I'll give you a clue." Maryland said. "Since you wanna know so bad." She said.

"Alright, I'm game. Lay it on me." Anya said as she turned, looking to the battleship. Maryland smiled at the woman a moment before returning to her book.

"She's both older and younger than Constitution." Came the response.

Anya only stared.

"What kind of hint is that?" Anya eventually asked when her brain had decided that she couldn't come up with any sort of satisfactory answer. Maryland only laughed at that as she closed her book, marking the page as she put it on the table next to her.

"The only hint you'll get." Maryland said with a grin. Anya scowled, closing the drawer as she closed it with a hip before making her way around the bed to Maryland, quickly and effortlessly seating herself on Mary's waist, the battleship watching her with a sense of amusement.

"That's no fair." Anya said. Maryland snorted at that as she looked up at the woman with amusement written in her eyes.

"Fair has nothing to do with it." She said in response. Anya scowled at that, lightly pounding at Maryland's stomach with a hand, a motion which only served to make the battleship laugh. After a moment though, Maryland calmed down as she looked to the woman. "Hey... Anya." She said, her tone taking more a neutral tone. Anya arched a brow at the sudden use of her name and the tone as she looked down at Maryland.

"Yeah, Mary?" She asked in response.

"About... our little display today in front of the rest of them.." Maryland began. A slight grin tugged at Anya's lips, but she kept it down for the moment.

"Yeah?" Anya asked. "What about it?"

"Are we... expected to do that?"

"Expected to what? Have sex?" The woman asked. "Mary, this is our relationship. The only thing that is expected of us is to make one another happy. That stuff's a secondary. And it doesn't even have to be either. It's completely fine if you don't want to end up doing-"

"I do." Maryland interrupted. Anya blinked.

"You do?" She asked for confirmation.

"Yes." Maryland Answered, Trying her best to ignore the rising heat in her cheeks. Anya pursed her lips a moment, watching her girlfriend below her.

"If you do then, why does it sound like there's hesitation?" She asked. Maryland held a moment.

"Because I don't know what the hell i'm doing? Sorry, most of my memories about this stuff comes from my crew. And given that a lot of them were guys fresh out of high school, don't have a whole lot of experience when there's not a clear set of guidelines." She said, now no longer able to meet Anya's gaze. The blonde watched her a moment before offering a small laugh, Maryland's gaze snapping back to her almost immediately. "What?! It's true!" She said.

"I know." Anya said with a small smile tugging at her lips. "So you're worried about what? Not being able to please me?" She asked.

Maryland offered the weakest of nods.

Anya's smile widened by fractions.

"You know, I can lead you through it. I know what I'm doing." She said, watching as the battleship's face continued to heat up.

"Are you sure?" Maryland asked.

"Positive." Anya returned.

"Can we..?" The battleship asked. Anya gave a small nod at that as she readjusted herself on Mary's waist a moment before moving up somewhat, leaning forwards as she did so.

Maryland's face burned as she watched the woman's face grow closer to her own.

Their lips were only inches away from one another.

A knock at the door broke the moment. Anya bit her lip a moment at that, almost as if wondering whoever it was would simply go away.

Maryland's eyes met Anya's in a silent conversation of what if's.

"Hello?" Anya eventually called.

"Admiral?" Bristol called through the door.

Anya only offered a quiet sigh.

One that sounded of disappointment?

One of aggravation?

One of resignation?

Maryland couldn't decide.

"Just a minute." Anya called back in a voice that spoke of far more happiness than the woman was actually feeling. The Admiral looked back to the door a moment before looking back to the battleship below her. Offering an apologetic smile, she kissed Maryland once before pulling away. "Another time then." She said in voice only heard by the two of them.

Maryland wanted to scream.