Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Birthday Surprises

It was getting close to Ana's birthday, and Will was restless. The fleet wouldn't be leaving its anchorage anytime soon, not even the Germans were mad enough to brave a winter on the North Sea. Will could understand wanting the battlecruisers at the ready in case of anything and to act as a deterrence for any German activity, but surely he could be allowed a few days away. Beatty wouldn't be pleased, not while he was still considering Will's proposal for actual gun training, but there was no way to avoid it.

Will dressed himself in a fresh uniform, sent a message requesting a meeting with the Admiral, and presented himself at the appointed time. Beatty had his proposal out on his desk when he walked in, a brow raised. "I'm still debating it, if that's what you're wondering."

"Partially, sir." Will said as he saluted. "But I have another request."

"Don't tell me you're wanting leave like every other man in the fleet."

Will pressed his lips together, "I am sir, I should like to visit my wife in Southampton for her birthday."

Beatty leaned back at that, gesturing for Will to sit. "You do know you could just send her a gift and a letter. I'm sure she'd be quite content."

"Ana would be kind enough to say she was," Will chuckled, "But she'd be happier to have me home."

"You're asking a lot." Beatty grumbled, laying the proposal down. "You saw her a month ago, she's likely not even thinking about you."

"I am sure that she is, sir." Will thought briefly of the sweetheart pendant that Ana never took off, the small silver wheel that rested between her breasts.

His superior snorted, "You need to find yourself a local girl then, we can't have you running off every few months."

"I don't want a local girl." Will almost spat; the thought repugnant. A woman aside from his wife in his bed, asking him for presents and complaining about his service, it disgusted him. Ana was all he needed, patient with his duties, kind and far more beautiful than any girl that Beatty would shove at him.

The admiral chuckled, "That's because you haven't seen them when they've got their eyes set on you." A glimmer appeared in his eyes that made Will want to shiver. "Tell you what, some of us are going out tonight. Drinks, cigars, girls, everything that's needed for a fun night."

Will shifted, "I'm not sure sir, I don't really indulge that much."

"Come with us," Beatty leaned forward, "I'll make it worth your while."

Will hesitated, unsure but tempted. "How?"

"I'll make a bet with you." Beatty dangled the proposal with one hand and a plain sheet of paper with the other. "If you can resist all temptations tonight like the pillar of moral character you seem to be, I'll approve your proposal and send you down to your wife for her birthday."

"What temptations, sir? I should like to know what I will need to resist."

"No drinking, no smoking and no touching the girls."

Will blinked, that would be easy. He hardly smoked anymore, he hadn't even thought of his pipe in weeks. He'd never been one to enjoy getting drunk at all hours of the day, so he could resist the fine scotch that they would no doubt have. And girls? He'd barely even look at them. "I believe I will win that bet, sir."

"We'll see, I won't let it be too easy." Beatty chuckled, writing down the details for Will. "Be here for dinner, and don't be late." Will nodded, folding the paper and slipping it into a pocket.

He called Nettles to his office when he returned to the Unicorn, showing him the paper. "Do you know this place?"

Nettles smirked, "Missing the wife, sir?"