Chapter Four

Everything was in chaos, as one man tried to bring a group of panicking men back to their senses. As it was, his own mind was in shambles; what in the world just happened?

"Tochiro! What was that, just now?.!" one man asked, as the Arcadia shuddered beneath them.

"I'd tell you if I knew, First Officer! The only thing I can think of was that it was some kind of storm!" Tochiro replied; watching as some men carried their shipmates to the sickbay, many of them wounded from the firefight they'd been involved in just a short while before, and others by the turbulence the ship had just encountered.

"Y'think Alberich could be behind all this?" the First Officer again asked; sounding a little bit calmer than before, but not by much.

"No telling. It doesn't help matters any that Harlock has disappeared as well..." Tochiro murmured, then added, "Go ahead and get in touch with Emeraldas and Maetel. We're gonna need all the help we can get."

"Right!" The First Officer said, before rushing off to do just that.

"Harlock, my friend, where the hell are you?" Tochiro wondered, worriedly, then running down the hall to see if he could help in the repairs.

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Marian could already hear the water being turned on in the bathroom, as she re-entered the bedroom Harlock was using. She still felt vague surprise when she saw how organized the pirate could be; his uniform, though bloodstained and covered with dirt and what appeared to be ash, was neatly folded and placed with care on the footrail of the bed. He'd even removed the sheets and blankets from the bed for her!

"A gentleman in disguise! He certainly is a lucky catch for any girl!" Marian mused, yet couldn't help but chuckle when she heard him utter a yelp of surprise when he turned the showerhead on, and the water came through too warm.

"You all right in there?" Marian asked, even though she could hear him cursing under his breath.

"Yes. Just had the water too hot, is all." Harlock replied, his voice muffled by the door, but the irritation was easily heard in his tone.

"I see." Marian said; knowing that it must have stung the injury on his arm quite a bit before he could adjust the water temperature. Deciding that now was the best time to leave the clothing she'd found, and gather up the laundry, Marian spoke through the door to the pirate again.

"I'd managed to find some stuff my ex-boyfriend had left behind. Whatever doesn't fit, go ahead and throw it out the window." Marian said, jokingly.

"Why?" Harlock questioned; his tone now distinctly curious. Marian allowed an almost evil little grin to cross her face before answering him.

"Let's just say that I still bear a grudge against my ex, okay?" Marian chortled, in response. For a few moments, there seemed to be some surprised silence, then Harlock spoke again.

"Maybe you'd fit in better with my crew than I'd first thought." Harlock muttered, with a soft laugh at that. Marian only smirked.

"Maybe." Marian agreed, then left the room so she could get started on the laundry. When she returned, however, her mind was immediately thrown for a loop. True, she had already seen the pirate without a shirt when she'd tended to his injuries, but nothing prepared her for the sight before her. He was seated on the bed wearing only a pair of black slacks that she'd brought up for him; idly cleaning some of the debris from his sword as he waited for her. Yet her eyes were riveted to his slight frame. While he wasn't overly muscular, he certainly wasn't a weakling, either.

"Do you like what you see?" Harlock questioned; arching an eyebrow in amusement when he startled her out of her daze, and saw the blush that was quickly appearing on her cheeks.

"You meant for that to happen, didn't you?" Marian muttered, semi-accusingly, as she gave him what she hoped was enough of a deadpan glance. She could only inwardly growl when he gave her a slight smirk; he wasn't convinced in the slightest.

"Not at all." Harlock replied, then added, "Just waiting for some help in putting some clean bandages on, that's all."

"Right..." Marian drawled, sarcastically, as she closed the distance between them, and started applying the medicine to his shoulder wound.

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Not for the first time, Harlock found himself wondering about the young woman in front of him. He knew from personal experience just how hard it could be to trust someone, it didn't matter what era it was. And yet...

"And yet, she still brought me into her home, and tended to my wounds. Quite a brave act, on her part, since she lives alone." Harlock mused, as he gazed at his quiet hostess. Despite her flustered appearance, she was competent in her treatment of his injuries. Calm, hazel-brown eyes were narrowed in concentration, and delicate hands carefully applied medication, and then bound the shoulder in clean bandages. Her bright, reddish-brown hair was pulled back in a loose tail that fell between her shoulders.

"There. That should do it. Now, for the ribs." Marian murmured, as she motioned for him to raise his arms a bit, so she could begin carefully binding his chest in gauze.

"Thank you for your help so far. It's appreciated." Harlock heard himself say, thoughtfully. This got a slight smile from the woman; a smile that, oddly enough, made him feel even better than before.

"As I've said before, it's no problem. After all, I couldn't just leave you on the street. Not after what you've been through. It's help and be helped, right?" Marian asked, lightly.

"True enough." Harlock agreed, even though he hadn't heard that statement said so honestly in a very long time.

"Not since the beginning of the Earth/Illumidas War, at any rate." Harlock thought, grimly; doubling over slightly when she accidently bumped the broken rib and struggling to hide a wince as he did so.

"I'm sorry! Are you okay?.!" Marian asked, worriedly, as she carefully braced him against her own body, and looked up into his silvery eye with true concern in her own.

"Almost forgot about that rib...ow." Harlock muttered, as he, unwittingly, put his forehead on her slender shoulder and gasped for breath. Almost immediately, he was aware of the scent of fresh strawberries; a strangely soothing scent, all things considered. Intrigued, he turned his head slightly; the sweet smell becoming stronger as he did so.

"The pain is fading...But why, I wonder?" Harlock silently asked; feeling something akin to dismay when he felt her stiffen against him for just a second, and then relax. He started a little when he felt her wrap her arms around his waist, a few seconds later.

"Marian...?" Harlock wondered; not daring to move, or even look down, for fear of making her bolt from him.

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"What the heck is going on?.!" Marian wondered, her heart pounding in her chest when she felt his warm breath on her shoulder, and when he shifted slightly and inhaled the scent coming from her hair. Beneath her ear, she could hear his own heart; knowing just from hearing it that he was as surprised by this turn of events as she was. Without even realizing it, she reached out and gently wrapped her arms around him; holding him close in what she hoped was a comforting embrace. He jumped slightly at the touch, yet seemed to welcome it, as he followed suit a few seconds later and held her closer to him. For the first time in years, Marian felt truly safe; protected from the world outside by this brave and much-maligned man she hardly even knew. It took only an instant for them to realize just what sort of position they were now in, yet they were reluctant to break away from one another.

"I hardly even know him...but it feels right, somehow, to be so near. Near enough to hear his heartbeat. Why?" Marian wondered, as she gazed up at him again. To her surprise, his eye held the same questioning look in it; somehow knowing that his thoughts were echoing hers'.

"Are you all right now? Do you need anything for the pain?" Marian softly asked.

"I'll be all right. Though I do apologize for startling you, just now." Harlock replied, his tone gentle as he sat back; releasing the breath he didn't even know he'd been holding as he did so.

"No...It's okay...I...uh...just wanted to make sure you were all right, that's all." Marian stammered, with a slight blush, as she also let go. And yet, as they pulled back away from one another, they could feel the beginnings of an all-too-familiar ache begin to emerge in their hearts...and they could only wonder why.

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Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the pair within the room, a man was watching their every move with vengeful eyes.

"Soon, Harlock. Very soon you will regret putting a stop to my plans. I will personally see to that" the man thought, venomously, before slipping out of sight into the woods near the house; the only thing to herald his comings and goings being the swaying of a few branches...and the growling of the protective dog within the nearby yard.

Author's Note!

Again, not a very exciting chapter, but I'm moving closer to the 'fight scenes' with every word! Honest! (lol) Hope this was all right, otherwise!

Gemini14