"Okie dokie," Flora said, as she finished polishing her glasses. "The Phantom said he'd be here at midnight, so I guess we'll wait."
"Thanks again for coming Claire," Carter added.
"No problem," Claire told them, picking at an invisible thread on her overalls. She looked at the clock that read 11:45pm. Skye would be here in 15 minutes, to steal artifacts from Flora and Carter's tent.
Everyone waited in silence. Carter nervously twiddled his thumbs, Flora chewed on a lock of her hair, and Claire just thought. About what would Skye do, what he would take, if he would get arrested. She couldn't bear to see a pair of handcuffs slapped against his thin wrists. Claire sighed, as the clock chimed 1.
"Phantom Skye still hasn't shown up yet," mumbled Flora, furrowing her brow. "Maybe he,like, forgot about the note he sent."
Carter jumped up. "That dirty thief!" he cried. Claire gave him a hard look, but he didn't seem to notice. "He could be stealing goods at the dig site at this very moment!" That idea had never occurred to Claire.
"C'mon Flora," Carter continued, grabbing Flora's hand. "Claire, you stay here just in case." They both ran out. Well now what do I do? she asked herself. Suddenly, she smelt a very faint scent of...curry.
Skye.
He strolled in the room, flicking the bags out of his eyes. "Hehe, Angel, I had a feeling we'd meet tonight."
Claire was unsure whether to be ecstatic, or scared.
Skye seemed to read her thoughts. "Don't be nervous. I won't use my magic here." He was referring to his "Chick-Beam," a spell which had paralyzed her.
Claire gave a small laugh. "Good." She realized how happy she was to hear his voice.
"Anyway," Skye went on, frowning. "I sent a note today, but I'm not here to steal anything." Relief flooded Claire. I knew you were good. I knew it!
"I came to see you," Skye finished, flashing a dazzling smile at her. Claire's knees went weak. "Me?" she squeaked.
"There's no other beautiful maiden here."
"You know, you could have just seen me without having to go to such lengths," Claire pointed out.
Skye chuckled. "I guess I wanted something more romantic."
Claire grinned. That was sweet, in an odd way.
"So, I was hoping you'd spend some time with me," Skye said, touching a strand of Claire's hair.
"I'd love to," Claire told him, happy he had even thought of having them together.
Skye's smile widened. "Great! Why don't we go somewhere else. Those two could be back any minute." He had meant Carter and Flora.
Skye offered Claire his hand. She held it without hesitating. Both of them took a walk to the beach. Everything looked exotic at night.
Claire's body shook a little when staring at the water, but Skye was there, clutching her hand, and she knew she'd be fine. She wouldn't get hurt.
"The ocean is especially beautiful tonight. Maybe it's because you're by my side," commented Skye. Claire faced him, glad he couldn't see how red her face was since it was night. He gently touched her face, then sighed and dropped his hand.
"You know, I try making curry. I work hard at it everyday, but I can never seem to get the curry I'm going for. It seems to miss something...important," Skye said sadly. His shoulders slumped, and his eyes darkened.
"Maybe you aren't cooking with love." Claire's voice was quiet. Her mother would always tell her to put love into everything she did. It was basically her motto.
Skye smiled in confusion, then slowly nodded, understanding. "Love huh? You're right Angel. I need to cook with love." He shook the bangs out of his eyes.
"Love," he began, smiling. "Love is a crazy thing, Angel. It can blind us, warm us, crush us even. But it's a wonder." He stared at her so intently, making Claire's heart beat faster.
"Thank you Angel. I'd walk you back but," he paused, squeezing her hand, "a good girl like you shouldn't be caught with someone like me."
"I thought 'beautiful maidens' shouldn't walk alone at night," Claire fired back, raising her eyebrows. Skye laughed.
"I guess you're right. Lets go. No ones awake now." He linked arms with her, as people in old movies did, and they both laughed. It felt good to laugh, especially with him.
"Good night, beautiful," Skye said to Claire, as he walked her home. But Claire didn't want the night to end. She wanted it to last forever.
Floating into bed, she realized that she could visit Skye secretly, without anyone knowing. Tonight was perfect.
Except someone had seen them together, someone who wasn't supposed to find out.
