Hello people, sorry it's been so long for Part 2! I've just been really busy...out sailing, doing archery, studying for midterms/finals...So! I think you will all be proud of me because I finally have figured out the chapters! wooooo! Part 2 is going to be split up into chapters, like a regular book.

Flik-wishes: Thanks for the review! I really hope this story is going in a good direction!

Now Maggie and Ulysses are expressing some underlying feelings...ooooooo! :D

Enjoy and Review!

"Dryland?" Maggie asked. Ulysses nodded. The thought of it had actually slipped her mind.

"Why do you ask?"

"Dunno. Thought you might want to see it."

Maggie pulled herself out of the hatch and limped over to Ulysses.

"You'd really take me there?" Maggie slowly lowered herself to sit on the deck, extending her wounded leg.

"Sure. If you wanna go."

"Yes, absolutely!" Maggie smiled.

"Great." Ulysses smiled as well. He went to the helm and changed course. The boat swung into a starboard tack on a close reach.

"Why are you doing this for me?" Maggie asked after about 20 minutes of awkward silence. Ulysses stood at the helm, wind and wake blowing on his face. He took a moment before answering,

"I just-I feel that...Maggie, I don't know how to explain it, but I feel..." Ulysses struggled to explain his feelings.

"It's ok, Ulysses. You can tell me anything."

"I think I'm in love with you." Ulysses stated. Maggie sat there, stunned. Ulysses continued,

"And I would do anything for you." Says the man who only thinks of himself...and maybe his boat, Maggie thought. She sat there, silent, staring up at Ulysses.

"Maggie," He began. She held up a hand.

"You're joking...right?"

"No." Ulysses left the helm and came to crouch by Maggie. His fingers touched her arm. She recoiled a little bit.

"I'm sorry. I just wasn't expecting this." Maggie faked a smile.

"I know. Me neither. When you were shot, I couldn't stop...worrying...about you."

Maggie met his meaningful eyes. He leaned down to kiss her, but she leaned away.

"I-I'm sorry. I just need a minute." Maggie looked out onto the water. Ulysses acknowledged that and went to tend the port sheet.

Maggie sat, blank minded, staring into the oblivion. Eventually, she forced herself to stand up.

"Ulysses!" she called to the foredeck. He turned and smiled.

"I need to talk to you!"

His face darkened a bit, but he wandered over.

"Look, I'm sorry if it seemed like I rejected you. I didn't. It's just that...I've never had someone in love with me, and I didn't know how to react." She placed a reassuring arm on his shoulder, leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. Before she could pull away, Ulysses leaned in, placing his lips on hers. Maggie was shocked and confused: she's never been kissed before. It was a soft, chaste kiss, but it still gave Maggie butterflies. Ulysses pulled away, looking her in the eyes.

"Oh." Maggie breathed.

"Let's get you to Dryland." Ulysses took hold of her hand and led her to the helm.

"7 degrees port..." Ulysses directed. Maggie placed her hands on the wheel and turned it slightly.

"So...how long 'til we get there?"

"Two days, maybe three. We stay on this heading for about a day then head further west."

"Wow. I never expected it to be that close."

"No one does. You should sit down." He helped Maggie to amidships. She sat down and watched as the water slapped the hull; the horizon staying place the entire time.

The rest of the voyage stayed pretty much the same: Maggie, against all of Ulysses' protests, tended the sails and watched the water. They chatted about the boat and Maggie's dreams of adventure. Every now and then, Ulysses would give her a peck as he passed by, but they never shared a passionate kiss...yet.

It was morning when Maggie saw a tiny dark spot on the horizon.