Chapter 16

Traeger was having a hard time hiding her laughter, despite how mortified she felt. The graduation ceremony had just concluded and one of the features of it was a catalog chronicling all the events the recruits went through the last two months. And as the top performing division, Carter's girls got the most screen time. The compromising photograph the submarine had um, recovered, from Sammy B was fortunately not among the slide show but the good news ended there. There were quite a few pictures from the division's buddy carry exercise. A favorite of everyone's was the image of Carter wrapped like a mummy with Traeger grinning in the background. The submarine knew how the picture had been taken too and vowed to string Fitzgerald up by her screws the first chance she got.

After the ceremony, and pointedly ignoring the calls from other RDCs and recruits as she led her division back to their barracks, Carter stalked into her office and slammed the door shut hard enough that it rattled. She'd been so stupid in thinking she could just sail by under the radar like usual. Of course someone was bound to notice her unusual affection for Traeger. And while these particular images didn't explicitly reveal that desired relationship, they did hint at it. And Carter was well aware of how lucky she was to have not only caught the incriminating evidence, but that Sammy B and Fitzgerald were willing to overlook it. It would be so easy for the destroyer captain to court martial her. "Stupid, just stupid!" Carter cursed herself, striking out at the bulkhead hard enough to leave a dent in it. A knock sounded on her door. Ignoring her now throbbing starboard fin, Carter snapped "I'm busy." "It's Traeger, Senior Chief." Traeger, bless her, was smart enough to remain professional when in the presence of others. But Carter knew she'd drop all formalities once she came inside and shut the door behind her. Before that even it seemed for Traeger didn't wait for Carter to reply.

Upon hearing the door open, the submarine became angry. "I didn't give you permission to enter." She growled. Traeger's eyes flashed with hurt and she nodded, making to close the door again. Carter sighed, getting a rein on her temper. "No, it's okay. Come in." She gestured with her fin. Traeger swiftly entered and quietly shut the door behind her. With the curtain's drawn, the pair could feel free to be as unprofessional as they liked. As was her want, Traeger moved first and pressed her hull against Carter's feeling the submarine respond as she leaned into her. "That temper of yours is going to get you into trouble one day." The destroyer said. Carter chuckled. "So Connecticut keeps telling me." She replied. "Did Sammy B give you your orders yet?" She asked. Traeger nodded. "Norfolk." She replied. "She tried hard to give me Point Loma but I am a BM and San Diego is..." "Don't worry about it." Carter reassured her. "NSN is a good base, with good people. You'll like it there." "Perhaps but there's one thing about it I won't like." Traeger said. "And what is that?" "It's the opposite coast from you." Traeger said. Carter laughed. "Dear, I'm a submarine. I can navigate the polar ice with ease and no one will know I've slipped to the opposite coast. Besides, you can always call if..." She was forced to break off when Traeger's lips met hers. It was the first time they kissed. The first time anyone kissed her like this really. Carter found herself entranced, especially when Traeger's lovely sky blue eyes opened and fixed on hers. For a moment the submarine was tempted, so tempted. It would be easy to just let things slip away and forget the world. But reality was too strong of a presence to ignore entirely.

Thus, after several moments, Carter pushed back. "Enough Traeger." She panted, gently but firmly pushing the destroyer off her. Traeger backed up almost immediately, looking at the submarine with a confused but concerned expression. "We can't... I won't risk." For once in her life, Carter was at a loss for words. If the submarine wasn't so distressed Traeger might've found that endearing. As it was, she just closed the distance again and pressed her muzzle to the top of Carter's sail. "You're too new to the navy. Too fresh in your career and we've taken more than enough risks as it is." She rasped. "It's fortunate Fitzgerald is kind enough to look the other way. Another base CO might not be so open to such a flagrant disregard for the rules." Traeger sighed. She would be lying if she said she hadn't expected this. "If that's what you want." She replied. "It isn't. But it is what is best, for now at least." Carter said. She closed her eyes as the destroyer lightly kissed the top of her head, a purr escaping her before she could stifle it. Traeger heard that and tightened her grip. Carter raised her head and kissed her cheek once, then pulled back her expression stern once more. "Now go kick rocks, sailor." She growled. "Aye senior." Traeger replied and marched out, the grin on her face doing nothing to hide the blush on her cheeks. She was oblivious to Ford watching her from the shadows and alongside her was Sammy B who stuffed a wad of cash into the carrier's outstretched wire.