Legends

Chapter 52~ Whisky on the Rocks, Literally

Nothing but blurs was what Constitution saw the first time she opened her eyes. But when one of them moved and spoke to her in a real soft voice she was encouraged to try again.

"Hear me, mamma." Cassin was saying.

Constitution felt pressure on her left hand. Slowly, the frigate turned her head in that direction and opened her eyes again. She had to blink a few times but eventually, her vision cleared. Yes, it was Cassin. The destroyer looked relieved, slumping down in her chair next to Constitution's bedside.

"You got summoned." The frigate noted.

"Sort of. When the Abyssals came, I just felt I had to come and help. You were in danger!" Cassin exclaimed.

Constitution gave her hand a squeeze. "How long was I out?" She asked.

"Several weeks." Cassin replied. "Bainbridge says you should make a full recovery but to take it very slowly. I'm to take you to the baths and there you'll stay for the next few days."

"I understand." The difference in horsepower more so than size allowed Cassin to effortlessly support her momboat as she stood. Even so, Constitution hissed in pain as she was lifted. "Tell me, what has all happened in these last few weeks? From the look on your face I can see it's a lot."

Cassin offered her a smile as they started walking. "You always could read me so well." She said. "There was a major offensive in Britain that didn't go well. We lost quite a few ships. The Brits lost almost their entire submarine contingent, except for Upholder. And then there was the more recent incident off California. Abby pulled the old one-two on us and while we had ships who could handle it, well-"

Constitution had not lived for as long as she had for nothing. She had quite literally seen it all. "Just tell me who we lost Cassin." She murmured.

"Washington." Cassin replied and felt her momboat stiffen in shock. She gave her a moment as Constitution looked away, head bowed in grief. The loss of any friend was painful, but one with the presence and future that Washington had was quite another.

"I see." The frigate said quietly. "Anything else?"

"Well, we got Iowa out of that battle as well which is something." Cassin continued.

Constitution snorted, well recalling the fast battleship's 'habits' shall we say. If there was one ship who was even more crass and loud than New Jersey, it was her older sister. "So has she drained Bremerton dry of its booze yet?" She asked.

Cassin winced. Iowa had a reputation with those who knew her. But the loss of Washington had deeply affected her and not in a good way. "Well..." She said.

................................

Iowa hadn't drained Bremerton dry of alcohol. But that was only because after New Jersey failed to get her to listen, despite how pleased Iowa was to see her, Admiral Williams ordered her to the mess hall to eat and fill her bunkers. Iowa wouldn't admit that he may have had a point in doing so. After the battle, the long run up the coast, and the time venting at the gun range, it was a wonder she hadn't drained herself dry. In fact, she nearly collapsed after getting her first plate of food and New Jersey had to fetch the next four refills before Iowa was strong enough to get up and get more on her own.

But after filling her bunkers, Iowa decided that some other activity was in order. And since Williams, most likely deliberately to prevent her from going back there, had crews out at the gun range replacing targets, she decided a trip to the bar was in order. The memories of her crews did much to aid her in this regard. Even those she took aboard from Washington. They had already changed out their uniforms although Iowa gave them full permission to continue to wear their Washington caps. Nonetheless, protocol ran deep in the navy.

The first bar Iowa went to had a surprise patron already there. Despite her namesake state's reputation, Wisconsin was not a ship who went out drinking nor did she have the disposition for it. It was confusing to Iowa, who was still figuring out the whole 'girl/human' thing. What actually counted as real? Her own memories or her crews? They had done the bar runs as she obviously couldn't, but it felt like she had.

In any case, she came up next to her littlest sister. Wisconsin had a bottle of Jack Daniels in front of her with two glasses and she handed her the spare. "I had a feeling you might show up." She said.

Iowa accepted the offered glass and poured herself a shot from the bottle, downing it in one gulp. "Thank you, dear." She said.

While Missouri and New Jersey tended to be two peas in a pod, it was Iowa and Wisconsin who shared the closer bond. The eldest was very protective of Wisconsin and had been since Kentucky and Illinois died. So when the youngest decided to willingly come to a bar to get drunk off her ass, Iowa just had to know. "What brings you here?" She asked.

"It's Big J and Mo." Wisconsin sighed. "After she tried talking to you at the range, she and Missouri got into a pretty big fight. Jersey feels that Washington was her fault. She'd asked her to look after the Taffies after all."

Iowa stiffened. She hadn't known that and suddenly it put her own guilt into a new perspective. She still didn't think she was entirely wrong to feel guilty however. After all, it wasn't New Jersey who had watched Washington die.

"Then Jersey said something about how all she's ever managed to do is get those she cares about into trouble and brought up how amazing I and Missouri were."

"You were, Wisky." Iowa cut in. "What you did- no ship could've done better."

Wisconsin ducked her head with a blush, swirling the whiskey in her glass as she did so. "I suppose. But Missouri- she didn't take it well. You know she took everyone down with her."

"Yeah. That- Jersey came to see me after. I heard every word and I couldn't respond. Losing you both was painful enough and that only made it harder." Iowa sighed.

"Well, Mo doesn't think she was a badass. So she snapped at Jersey which went about as well as you can expect." Wisconsin finished.

"Any property damage?" Iowa asked. She knew her sister's tempers only all too well.

"Thankfully no. But a few destroyers are asking questions about the language used." Wisconsin replied.

Iowa couldn't help herself, she chuckled. She knocked back her glass again, grabbing at the bottle to pour herself another shot. "Well, I say we both deserve to get drunk off our asses tonight." She said.

"That sounds like an excellent plan." Wisconsin replied, raising her own glass and the two toasted before proceeding to do just that.