Disclaimer: Don't own nuttin' 'cept Amy and Tiff.
To everyone who reviewed this story even though I write slower than molasses... I am so sorry that this update took so long. There is absolutely no excuse for this and I deeply apologize to you all. I am not worthy of the wonderful reviews you've been sending, but know that each and every one of them made my day. I dedicate this chapter to you all in hopes that you will forgive me. I'd like to say that being a senior means I have more time on my hands, but unfortunately it does not, especially since I have been battling mono for several months. Thank you all, once again, for putting up with me. - Spirit of the Sky
Chapter 9
When Amy awoke the next morning, James was already up. Their eyes met and they stared at each other for a moment before speaking.
"Good morning, Amy."
"Good morning, James."
"Did you sleep well?"
Amy lowered her eyes, slightly embarrassed. "Yes, thank you. I'm sorry about last night. I'm not usually such a crybaby."
James smiled warmly, saying, "It's alright. I was a bit cold on that couch all by myself, anyway." Amy smiled and a mischievous twinkle came lit her eyes.
"Wanna go spy on the two upstairs?"
James nodded emphatically and they both got up. Creeping over to the trapdoor, she slowly pushed it up. Stepping onto the top step of the stool, bringing her head and shoulders above the floor, she looked around the room and started giggling. James stepped up on the stool next to her and sent his piercing gaze throughout the room. When he caught sight of the two figures on the right hand bed, he too started to chuckle.
Somewhere in the night, the two sleepers had ended up on the same bed. Riley's arm was draped around Tiffany's waist and her head rested on his shoulder. Both of them were snoring softly and as they watched from the doorway, Tiffany mumbled something and snuggled even closer to her bedmate. Amy's giggles threatened to break free of the hand she had over her mouth and the two on the bed began to stir. James quickly pulled her down, shutting the trapdoor silently.
The two crouched on their respective steps, waiting until the upstairs room was once again silent. Amy sighed and then chuckled. "Well, that's something you don't see everyday."
James smirked at her as he stood and offered her a hand. She placed her much smaller hand in his, allowing him to help her to her feet. He led her over to the couch where they had spent the night and pulled her down to sit next to him. Blushing slightly, she leaned against his chest as his arm wrapped around her shoulder.
From this position she could feel his heart beating and without thinking, she blurted out, "Your heartbeat's really loud. Guess that means it's really big."
Blushing at her words, she studied her hands, not noticing the startled look on his face. She did notice that he stiffened at her words and quickly went to apologize, but he pressed a finger to her lips.
"It's alright, I just wasn't expecting that," he said with a wry smile. "The only comments I've ever heard about my heart are about how I apparently don't have one."
She looked at him in surprise. "Why would anyone say that? You're one of the nicest people I know."
"You've only known me for a few days," he commented with a raised brow. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because I've always been a good judge of character."
She looked him in the eye with such a level of seriousness that he couldn't bring himself to laugh at her. Instead, he found himself smiling warmly, while the conscience he didn't know he still had began to raise its head.
oOo
After the two upstairs had awoken, in a rather loud manner, they made their way way downstairs. Riley was nursing his stomach and Tiffany followed, apologizing profusely.
"Look, I said I was sorry! I just forgot that you were there, that's all!"
"How on earth did you forget? It was your idea to begin with!"
Whatever she had been about to say died on her lips as she caught sight of the two reclining on the couch, watching the argument in amusement. A smirk crossed her face as she looked at her best friend. "Well, don't you two look all comfy-cozy. Would you like some privacy?"
Amy blushed slightly, saying, "You're one to talk. What happened with you and Riley last night?"
She grinned as her normally outgoing friend struggled for a comeback, but Riley beat her to it. " We were waiting for you two to have a conversation and it was easier to hear from that bed, so she suggested we sit there. Then she fell asleep on top of me and I was too tired to move her. So, like the gentleman that I am," James snorted at this. "I let her use me as a pillow. Then I wake up this morning to her shrieking in my ear and kicking me in the stomach until I landed on the floor!"
Amy fought to hold back her giggles as Tiff glared at him. "I said I was sorry, ok? I don't usually wake up with a boy in my bed!"
"Yeah, she's only a whore every other weekend."
Seeing her friend's death glare, Amy scrambled over James to hide herself behind him. Peering over his shoulder, she couldn't help but add, "Now Tiffany, you know the first step of getting past your issues is to get out of denial."
She squealed as Tiff made a grab at her and stuck out her tongue when she missed. Rolling her eyes, Tiff stuck up her nose and stated, "I'm going to be the mature one and go make breakfast while you neanderthals go invent the wheel."
She stalked off towards the toaster, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she passed Riley. Amy opened her mouth to make another snide remark, but James turned and covered her mouth. "As much as I love your witty repartee, I would prefer to hear it after I have eaten."
Amy made a sarcastic salute and the sound that was muffled by his hand could have been translated as, "Aye, Captain!" Looking like the cat who ate the canary, he removed his hand as Amy stuck her tongue out at him before wondering over to help make breakfast.
Riley leaned his arms on the couch and whispered, "So what do you think, Captain? Are we wasting our time or what"
James kept his eyes on the brunette across the room as he answered, "No Riley, she's the one, there's no doubt about that. Although I must say, I am pleasantly surprised that she is so young."
Riley smirked knowingly at the look on his captain's face. "And the fact that she possesses both beauty and brains, along with an incredibly smart mouth will certainly make this a lot more pleasant. Am I right, Captain?"
A predatory smirk was his answer, "I do believe you are correct, Riley. I am certainly enjoying that smart mouth of hers. Perhaps I will have the opportunity to enjoy it even further in the near future."
Both men chuckled. "Then if you don't mind, Captain, I think I too will enjoy myself. The other girl is most amusing and easy on the eyes, as well."
James waved his hand lazily, "She's all yours, mate. Just don't go overboard and try not to break her heart. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned and we need them both to trust us explicitly if my plan is to have any success."
"Aye, Captain."
"Breakfast is ready boys! Come get it before Miss Piggy eats it all!"
"Hey!"
"Truth hurts, darling."
Riley sighed in exasperation, but his eyes were twinkling as he went to save Amy from the spoons being thrown at her. James watched them for a moment and said to himself, "This promises to be the most interesting game, yet."
Then he got up and grabbed his unsuspecting prey around the waist. He felt her stiffen in surprise before relaxing in his grip. With that mouth that he loved more and more by the second, she continued throwing playful barbs at her friend, who was trying to grab the spoons Riley held above his head. Tightening his hold on the tender female flesh beneath his palms, Captain James Hook had to hold back a seductive purr as he thought about how wonderful it was to have two hands again.
Spirit of the Sky: I know this one is short, but at least it's something! I was gonna make it longer, but that would defeat the purpose of the poll that I've recently posted. I need everyone who's read this story to vote. The quicker the votes come in, the quicker I can get back to posting new chapters. So get voting, people!
Batman: Yeah! And give the girl a some slack! She had mono a little while ago and now it's relapsed, so give her a break!
Spirit of the Sky: Awwww, thanks Bats!
Batman: You're welcome, what are best friends for?
Spirit of the Sky: Throwing spoons at?
Batman: Now you all know where Amy gets her smart mouth. The character doesn't fall far from the author tree.
Spirit of the Sky: And yet everyone loves both of our smart mouths.
Batman: ...
Spirit of the Sky: I win
