Chapter 17

Ford shot Traeger a knowing look when she exited the office. "Not a word." The destroyer growled. Carter was bothered enough. "I wasn't going to say anything." Ford replied, an all too innocent look on her face as she said that. "Surree you weren't." Traeger sniffed. "So tell me, just how much money does Sammy B owe you for my little stunt?" She asked. Ford blanched. "You know about that?" She asked. "My potential bonded is a submarine. You'd be better off asking what don't I know." Traeger replied. "So now you admit it. Sammy B owes me 20 bucks now!" Ford exclaimed. "Just twenty?! Should've bet more money." Traeger grinned. "Oh shut up!" Both laughed and continued to joke as they packed their holds. It was nearly time to leave. At least they'd be going to the same place. Both Ford and Traeger would report to Naval Station Norfolk. While Traeger believed Carter when she said the base was a nice place, it was nicer still to report in with a familiar face.

Fifteen minutes prior to form up time, Carter came out of the office to make sure everyone was on schedule. With fifty recruits in her division, someone was bound to be a little slow. Zumwalt was the one in need of a tugboat this time as she was seriously overthinking how to pack her stuff back into her holds. Carter offered a helpful if a little blunt, opinion. "You got it into your holds before, don't worry about neatness just stuff it in!" She said. Zumwalt wasted no time doing as she was told. Ford and Traeger watched with some amusement as Zumwalt was reamed by the submarine as she failed to comply in a timely manner. New York was not nearly as good at hiding hers. "The Law of Conservation of Happiness in action." She whispered. Unfortunately for her, Carter overheard her. "Indeed, sailor. And you can go ahead and help her pack." She said. Dejectedly, New York did as she was told. Seeing this nearly made Traeger bust up laughing herself but she managed to mostly contain it. Nevertheless, a snort did escape her. Carter whirled around to stare in her direction but fortunately, the submarine didn't comment.

Once everyone was packed, Carter ordered them to the line and the division swiftly formed up and moved out of the barracks. From there, each would go their separate ways to their new duty stations. Carter and Ford were to be joined in Norfolk by New York and the amphibious warship dutifully took up an escort position between Ford and Traeger. Carter inspected each group of her now former recruits to ensure everything was in order. When she came to Traeger she paused. "Remember what I said." If her voice was slightly softer than normal, no one commented on it. Traeger smiled. "I'm not likely to forget." She replied gently. With a glance at Ford and with the carrier blocking everyone's view, Traeger nuzzled Carter who stiffened for a second, then wrapped her fins around her in a tight hug. "You need anything, you call me." She rasped, planting a kiss on Traeger's shoulder. "Promise." Traeger purred, pressing closer to her in reply. Carter pulled back, fins lingering for a moment longer on her hull before she backed away with a dip of her head, which Traeger returned. Facing her division, Carter roared out in her best authoritative voice "UNIT DISMISSED!" With cheers and the sounding of many horns, the division parted ways. Traeger spared one last glance behind her at Carter but the submarine had already turned around. Traeger felt this was because no one wanted to see her cry.