I descend into the undercarriage of the ship. The pirates can't be hiding very far. The footsteps above me are in a rhythmic pounding as the others search for the intruders. The floorboards beneath me squeak every time I put my foot down. Light as a feather Jim! I put my back against the wall and carefully check around the corner. The hallway's clear and I advance down the path. If I were to hide, I would go to the supply room. Easy to blend into a room crowded with objects. I finally reach the door and I press my ear to it.
Whispers creep from the room. Ah-ha! Gotcha. I throw my foot against the door, and it flies open. I hold my gun out in front of me. "Everyone freeze!"
Silence answers me in return. I can only hear my heartbeat, and the repeating drip from a hole in a hanging water bucket. The bucket swings back-and-forth; other than that there is no movement. I keep my laser level just in case they try to attack. I scan the area, and I notice that there is a slight gap between the back wall and the food barrels. Why does this seem familiar?
I slowly ascend onto the barrels, and peak over the edge. All I see is her sly smile, and her uncomfortably wave. Longing instantly flies out of my stomach; I hadn't even realized I missed her. "I don't have to punch you again do I?"
Morph then flies out from behind the barrels. He immediately licks my face and nuzzles my check. Next I notice that B.E.N and Delbert are also in hiding. B.E.N launches at me and engulfs me in a metal filled hug.
"Oh Jimmy! I missed you! I was afraid I would never see you again." I pound my palm into his face and push him at the floor.
"Ow that hurts!"
Morph turns into B.E.N and mocks him falling onto the ground.
Anger is bubbling up inside me. "What were you guys thinking?! We all thought you were pirates!"
Delbert is dusting the dirt off of his jacket. "Pirates! Oh dear… I told them we should have asked to be brought along, Jimmy. But they had none of it. Bex insisted that we sneak on."
Bex mouth falls open and she flashes Delbert a glare. "To my defense it was a great plan. No one got hurt. What's the big deal?"
To give her credit it did take a lot of talent to sneak on; I'm impressed. I'm never going to tell her that though. I take a step towards her. "I could have shot you!"
She inches closer and she creeps her face near mine. My breath catches, and I feel slightly dizzy. There's a mischievousness twinkle in her eyes. "I would like to see you try."
Ha! She's all talk. "Oh really?"
Bex shrugs her shoulders, pouts her lips, and looks up as if she's thinking. "Yeah really."
It all happens in slow motion. She swings her legs under my feet. My lower body goes flying up and I'm falling backwards. As I'm plunging towards the floor, she slips my gun out of my hands. I land on my back, and I face the ceiling. Bex bends down and hovers her face over mine. My gun is twirling in her hand. "You were saying?"
"You got lucky." I quickly try to recover and stand back up. Morph's all excited and flying around her head. B.E.N is trying to help me up, but Delbert is holding him back.
"Uhhh-huh. Later Jimmy boy." She gives me a salute and strolls out of the room with pride.
"Are you alright? That was a large fall. Looked like it hurt. She really got you good Jimmy! Ha I thought you were going to…" B.E.N catches my face, and gulps. "Geez tough crowd. BEX WAIT UP!" B.E.N goes flying out of the room.
"She's impossible! She's so… so… annoying!" I spin on my heels and glance at Delbert. His arms are crossed and there's a smile on his face.
"Doc, cut it out with the weird smile ok?"
"It's just funny." Great he's mocking me.
"She's just reminds me of you Jimbo." Morph turns into me striding around in a dress.
"Morph!"
"Oh don't be so offended!" He places his hands on my shoulders. I immediately stuff my fists in my coat pockets.
"Smart, clever, tough… it's not a bad thing." His eyes peak over his glasses and meet mine. It's one of those weird moments we have. "Now where's Amelia? She'll be so pleased to see me!"
"Doubt it…" I mumble under my breath.
"What was that?"
"Oh yeah love it!" I smile, and he nods in pleasure. He rotates and runs into the door. "Huh could have sworn that wasn't there before.
The following day is busy as the crew recovers from the surprise visit. Amelia was not very please when she found out who actually got onto the ship, but she recovered when Delbert tripped over a bucket and fell onto B.E.N. B.E.N then proceeded to run in circles yelping as Delbert chased after him to stop. Amelia could barely hold in her laughs. They came out as snorts. Other than that, I quickly got my chores done, and I'm now in desperate need for entertainment. I notice Bex swinging on my favorite rope ladder.
"Come for fighting lessons I see?" There is slight amusement to her voice.
"No!" I couldn't help it, but I laugh a bit.
"Then why did you come over? It wasn't just to see me?" Bex looks towards the ground. Why did I come over? I guess I didn't spot it before but I did come just to see her. To talk to her
"No I came to… um… well I guess… I guess it is just to see you." I brush my hair back and shift my weight from foot to foot. I'm uncomfortable. Why does she make me feel so stupid?
"Oh!" Shock crosses Bex's face. Pleasure fills her smile, and a blush grows on her checks. Did she want to talk to me too?
There's a slight silence before she adds, "You know I never said thank-you."
I'm taken aback. "For what?"
"For not calling the cops on me that night." She rubs her arm. "I was trespassing, and anyone else would have done it. Especially after I punched them." For the first time, her guard is down. I can't help notice how innocent she looks.
"Well I thought 'Anyone with that weak of a punch like her's deserves some pity."" She smacks me on the arm.
"It was not weak!" Bex giggles, and I instantly smile. Her laugh is so contagious; I love hearing it.
"Eh whatever. Where did you learn to fight like that anyway?"
"Some pirates taught me. I only learn from the best." Her face confuses me. I can't tell if she is joking or not.
"Are you serious?" Bex shrugs and provides a face that says "I don't know. Maybe, maybe not?" Why is she so confusing? Why do I need to figure her out?
"Why do you have to do that?" Her face folds in confusion.
"Do what?"
"Act all mysterious all the time. It's annoying" A laugh burst through her lips.
"You're the one to talk. Whenever I ask you a question you just put your distracting handsome guarded face on and walk away." Did she just call me handsome?
"Well I don't know anything about you!"
"You know I don't have a home." She looks off into space. There's longing in her eyes again.
"Do you miss it?"
"Sometimes, but I keep myself busy. After I left I was so occupied I couldn't concentrate on missing things." Bex grabs for the rope and accidentally places her hand on top of mine. She immediately blushes and pulls away. "Sorry…. I didn't mean to…"
"It's fine." I secretly want her to put her hand back on top of mine. "Why were you so busy?" The darkness seems the fill her face again. Her guard has returned.
"I began a new adventure." I'm about to question her further, but Delbert is running… well more scampering… towards Amelia.
"Amelia! Darling!" He trips a little. "We've got trouble!"
"It's CAPTAIN on the ship! Anyway what is it?!" Amelia is in high alert.
"A (breath) giant (breath and gasp for air) I'm sorry (breath) we have a (breath)"
"Oh out with it already!"
"A giant tanuid is heading our way!"
Amelia snatches the telescope from Delbert. "ALL HANDS ON DECK!"
Bex and I both look at each other and then out into space. Sure enough there is a blob quickly approaching on the ship.
Amelia's face is filled with concern but durability. "Be prepared soldiers! We are in for a wicked show!"
Can you feel the relationship blooming?! Sorry I'm kind of a romantic!
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