Hello lovers! I haven't forgotten about y'all ;) what with school starting around here and me goin' back to school myself it's been SUPER crazy!
I promise the next up date won't take nearly as long as this one! I had a little bit of writers block for this chapter, so hopefully it's not TOO cringeworthy.
Anywhoo, you know the deal. All characters belong to their makers.
Hope ya'll enjoy!
T'at damn woman had one single job, to stay hidden and away from danger, but instead she runs right in t'e damn middle of it. I have no idea how Ana got to t'e front of t'e ship wit' out me noticin' her, but by t'e time I did she was gettin' slammed against t'e mast by a screecher that was 'bout twice her size. Jim and I both screamed out her name, then tore off across t'e main deck to try and get to her.
Our progress felt like it took ages, every few feet we'd have to stop and kill a screecher t'at had cut us off, but t'e entire time my eyes never left Ana. T'e bastard still had her held about nine feet in t'e air. I'd noticed t'at she'd come back to, and was having some sort of conversation wit' t'e monster. Leave it to her to be lookin' death in the face and be havin' a nice little chit chat.
I couldn't make out exactly what she'd said, but I recognized a few choice curses, then she smiled and spit in t'e screechers face. I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief at what I was seein'. T'e fiercest species in all of t'e etherium held Ana's life in it's hands and she didn't falter, but she shook wit' fear when it came to crowds. My amusement was cut off as t'e screecher tightened it's grip on her throat, drainin' t'e color from her face.
Before I had a chance to react, out of nowhere came Matthew, sword drawn and ready to attack. He struck t'e screecher in t'e back wit' all of his might, which made t'e monster drop Ana in t'e process. For a second he wheeled on Matthew, but then turned his attention back to Ana who was curled up in front of him on t'e deck. Just as t'e screecher reached for her, she shot up plunging my knife in her attacker's throat. My knife? Where in t'e hell did she get t'at from?
As t'e screecher fell to t'e deck, breathin' it's last is when I noticed my knife holster strapped to her thigh. Pride welled up in my heart as I watched Ana step over t'e body unbothered, wiped her face clean of t'e monster's blood, and walked over to where her bow laid against a crate to knock another arrow. Without missin' a beat, she was back to slingin' arrows into every screecher she could see. T'ats my girl.
Now t'at Ana was by my side, I could finally focus on what needed to be done. I hadn't noticed t'e gash on my shirt until I started feelin' my world tilt and shift, and as luck would have it, my current opponent just wouldn't die. Out of t'e corner of my eye, I saw Ana get thrown down to t'e ground as she was fightin' one of t'e last remaining monsters. Instinct took over as I fought t'e urge to run and help her, t'is slight break in focus gave my enemy t'e opening he needed to dig his claws in my back leavin' gashes in it's wake.
T'e injury to my chest was nothin', but combine t'at wit' bein' split open down my back and I was at my breakin' point. My world shifted again as weakness wracked my knees. I fought my hardest to keep t'e black from takin' over my vision, but t'e last t'ing I could remember was t'e deck rushin' up at me and Ana screamin' my name.
I had no idea how long I was really out for. It could've been hours or weeks, but all I knew is I needed to get t'e hell up and find Ana. Every now and then there'd be a break from t'e darkness and Ana's voice would filter through. I couldn't really make out exactly what she was sayin, but I knew she'd had to have been worried sick. I finally was able to focus hard enough on her words to understand t'em.
"Please John, don't leave me." she cried as she grabbed my hand.
Leave you? I'm not goin anywhere lass. I wanted to comfort her, to make her concern disappear but it was like I was trapped in my mind. I felt pressure, like someone was pickin' up my hand, so I gave it a light squeeze hopin' t'at Ana was on t'e other end.
Lucky for me she was.
"Jim! He's not gone!" she cried.
What Jim had to say I couldn't hear, I had started to float back into t'e abyss of my unconsciousness. Some more time had passed when I finally started comin to. It felt like a wool blanket was bein slowly peeled off of me, as every inch of my body started to register different sensations. Finally, t'e weight had lifted off my eyes enough to where I could slowly pry 'em open. My entire field of vision was nothin' but a blur, but after a few minutes t'ings started to come into focus.
T'e first t'ing I noticed was Ana curled up against my arm snoozin' away, t'en I looked over to my left and Jim was passed out in a chair next to t'e fireplace sawin' logs. I went to sit up and to my surprise my injuries had all but disappeared, t'e only thing t'at remained was a light pink line. I could still smell t'e mint from my miracle potion I'd used on Ana, at least I assumed t'ats what it was. There's no way a gash t'at deep could've healed without stitches unless it had some miracle help.
"John?" Ana whispered, bein' stirred awake by me. "JOHN! You're-"
"Shh," I put my finger to my lips and pointed to Jimbo, lettin' her know I didn't want to wake him up. She brought her voice back down to a whisper and sat up fully in t'e bed to take a look at me. Right away tears started to fall from her eyes.
"John, h-how are you...I thought...you w-were," she stuttered. She was still on t'e other side of t'e bed wit' her knees tucked to her chest. I guess she was keepin' her distance to keep from hurtin' me, but t'at distance was t'e last t'ing I wanted right now.
"Come here you," I whispered, grabbin' her hand and pullin' her into my arms. Right away she started to argue.
"John, I don't want to hurt you." she cried, buryin' her head in my chest. Tears still fell as she started to tremble.
"Yer not gonna hurt me lass, I'm alright now."
"No you're not!" she shouted leanin' back to look at me. She shot a glance at Jim then continued. "I saw your injuries for myself, those bastards nearly ripped you to shreds."
"But t'ey didn't. I'm fine now."
"Yeah, this time," she snapped. "What if next time you aren't so lucky?"
"You really want to preach to me about bein' lucky?" I asked, rememberin' how she didn't hide away like I'd asked her to. "How 'bout we talk about how lucky you are t'at yer still alive after t'at stunt you pulled." My golden eye turned into an orange glare as I replayed everyt'ing in my head.
Ana bit her lip and hung her head avoidin' my gaze. I tucked a finger under her chin and forced her to look at me. "You could've really gotten hurt runnin' into t'e fray like t'at."
"But I didn't. I wasn't planning on coming out of my hiding spot," she whispered, startin' to tear up again. "I just saw them all over you and I snapped."
"I had it all under control lass," I tried to reassure her.
"No you didn't. It was four against one John, would you have just stood aside while I was being attacked like you were?"
I sat t'ere tryin to t'ink of somethin' to say. She was right, if it was her gettin' jumped like t'at I would've lost it too. My gaze melted back to it's golden hue as I pulled her back in my lap, t'e one t'ing I wanted right now was her bein' as close as possible. I leaned back against t'e headboard tryin' to get comfortable, and as Ana straddled my lap I tried to keep t'ings appropriate since Jim was just a few feet away. T'e heated look she gave me nearly made it impossible.
Placin' my hands on her hips, I gave her a reassurin' squeeze. I could tell she was still about to fall apart, but she was doin' a good job of tryin' to hold it together. I snaked my hands up her back, wrapped my fingers in her hair and pulled her down for a kiss. As our passion flared, she whispered my name and started to move her hips in t'at devilish way of hers. She suddenly broke t'e kiss off and leaned back to look me.
"Quit trying to distract me." she growled. I couldn't help but chuckle at her expression which seemed to just make her frustration even worse.
"I can't help it," I whispered as she laid her head down on my chest. Finally we settled against each other, I wrapped my arms around her and placed a gentle kiss in her hair.
"I thought you were goin' to die John," she whispered into my chest.
"I know lass, I know." I rubbed her back tryin' to calm her down.
We laid t'ere in silence for a while, just listenin' to t'e sound of t'e fire. Ana had grown so quiet t'at I thought she had fell asleep, t'at is until I felt her place a light kiss on my chest, t'en another, and another. Wit' each kiss she trailed up until she placed a few on my neck, and as she started to shift her hips again I couldn't help but release a quiet moan.
"Quit tryin' to distract me lass," I growled to her,
"I can't help it," she fired back gigglin'. I've come to notice t'at she gets a kick out of usin' my own words against me. She pulled back to kiss me, at t'e same time she ground her hips even harder against me, blowin' my self control out of t'e etherium.
"Will you two get a room already?" Jim muttered.
Instead of jumpin' off me embarrassed like I half expected, Ana just sighed and snuggled back into my arms. "We're already in a room Jimbo," I chuckled.
"I guess it's safe to say you're feelin' better?" he asked, stretchin his limbs as he sat up straight in t'e chair.
"Like a new man," I answered, lookin' down at Ana. "How long have I been out for?"
"Well, It's four in the morning and the fight happened yesterday, so I'd say about sixteen hours. That medicine you have in your drawer works miracles, Ana mentioned it was the same stuff you used on her when she got hurt."
"Really? It felt a lot longer than t'at." A slight snore came from Ana, who was already fast asleep. I guess Jim noticed how I was watchin' her wit' concern written all over my face.
"She's been a wreck this whole time."
"I know Jimbo." I protectively wrapped my arms around my lass. "What all happened after I passed out?"
"Well, your little lass there kind of lost it and went all warrior queen." he said, pointin' to Ana.
"Warrior queen?" I asked, thoroughly confused.
"Oh yeah," he laughed, "You thought she was takin' down screechers before, you should've seen her slingin' arrows after you went down. Then when she ran out of arrows she got a hold of someone's sword and went to town."
"Huh." I sat t'ere speechless. "And she didn't get hurt?"
"Not so much as a scratch." Jim folded his arms behind his head and leaned back. "She had those screechers runnin' by the time she was through with them."
"How in t'e hell did she have 'em runnin'?!" Now I've heard of some unbelievable t'ings in my life, I mean look at how Jim saved t'e Legacy, but one t'ing I've never heard of is someone runnin' off a soul screecher.
"Well apparently they figured out how Ana found the single fatal spot in that damn armor of theirs. Once they saw how quickly she was killin' them off they tucked tail and ran."
"Damn," I knew she was amazing, but I had no idea she would be capable of t'ings like this. She'd fit right in wit' Mom, Sienna and Ailani, I can't wait till t'ey can meet her.
"By the way, Ana told me what you two decided." he muttered, pullin' me out of my inner ramblin.
"Did she now?" I asked cautiously.
"Yeah. So what's the plan? We only have five days to figure a way out of this."
I filled him in on everyt'ing Eric had told me at t'e ball. "I know if we let him know what we're tryin' to do, he'd help us out." I whispered.
Jim scratched his chin brainstormin' up a solution. "We have to come up of a way that would keep them thinking that she's going to go through with everything, and then last minute we sneak her away. If we give any sign that she's having doubts now, they'll have time to try and cut her off." He got up and started to pace in front of t'e fire place. "What's our timeline lookin' like from when we land to when the wedding starts?"
"From what her dad told me, we land on t'e mornin' of her birthday, the royal guard will come escort her to t'e chapel around noon to start gettin dressed, and t'en she'll be married around eight t'at night." I answered. Just sayin t'e words made my blood run cold.
"We need someone on the inside that can help us pull it off."
"And how do ya suggest we get someone on t'e inside?" I asked, closin' my eyes as Ana settled even more in my arms.
"Have Eric get someone in as one of her ladies in waiting. They would be expecting either you or me to break her out, not some woman who's only job is to help her get dressed."
T'ats when lightbulbs started goin' off in my head and t'e pieces started fallin' into place. "We have her get her out of t'e palace and onto a waiting longboat. From t'ere they can take her to Eric's ships."
"Why not bring her back here?" he asked confused.
"You know how t'is crew is. If they find out they aren't gettin' paid they'll tear all t'ree of us to shreds. She needs to stay wit' Eric until we can dismiss t'e crew, then we'll meet back up wit' him and go from t'ere."
"Well if you want to judge things by the way the crew acted yesterday, I don't think we'll have a problem bringing her back on board." he muttered, crossin' his arms.
"Now what makes you say t'at?" T'ere HAS to be more t'at happened yesterday t'at he isn't tellin' me.
"After the soul screechers ran off, she took complete control." he explained, sittin' back in t'e chair. "No one questioned her, no one gave her any trouble, there were even addressing her as captain. She's a natural leader John, she's won everyone's loyalty and respect,"
"Even if t'e crew won't hurt her, this is t'e first place they'll look. T'ey won't expect Eric, and when t'ey figure it out he has t'e firepower to keep 'em away,"
"True," he agreed, "Fine, we can meet up with him once we're in the clear and far away from Montressor."
"T'en it's settled." I gently picked Ana up, laid her down on t'e bed t'en headed straight for my desk. "I need to get a hold of Eric to let him know of t'e plan, once t'ings are confirmed on his end we'll let Ana know what's goin' on."
"Are you planning on letting the crew in on this?" he asked, "The first place the royal guard will like for her here, and we both know how they like to get information. The more people we have on our side to fight the better."
"You really expect 'em to fight knowin' in doin so t'ey forfeit t'eir paycheck?"
"Well they didn't have to fight to protect her yesterday, but you saw how Matthew of all people had her back." Jim crossed his arms resolutely, "Believe it or not, she's earned the respect of every man on board. They all think of her as one of the crew."
"I'll t'ink about it," I waved him off. No ya won't.
"But Silver-"
"Damn it Jim I said I would t'ink about it!" I slammed my fist down, anger flarin' in my fire gaze. I've got enough on my plate, t'e last t'ing I need is Jimbo doubtin' my decisions. "I need to get t'ese transmissions sent to Eric so t'e maid servant can be placed in time."
Jim walked out wit' out another word, he knew his boundaries when it came to pushin' my patience. I finished writing out my transmission to Eric, then makin' sure it was delivered I went off to take a hot shower. T'e potion Ana used helped heal my wounds, but my muscles still felt like they'd been through hell. I drug my self into t'e shower, turned t'e water on straight hot and just leaned against t'e wall and let t'e heat run down my back. I almost couldn't hear Ana sneak in over t'e sound of rushin' water, so it was a nice little surprise when she opened t'e curtain and slipped in to stand between me and t'e wall.
"You should be gettin' some sleep lass," I whispered, crackin' an eye open to look down on her. "You've barely gotten any rest in two nights." My mind drifted back to our night of passion, it already felt like a month had passed since then.
"I know," she wrapped her arms around me and started rubbin' my back. "I heard the water running and wanted to come check on you."
I let myself melt into her touch as she massaged t'e soreness out of my muscles. It was hard to believe t'at t'is amazin' woman who seemed so small and gentle, was slayin' t'e most fearsome beasts in all of t'e etherium just yesterday. After a few moments, I opened my eyes to look down at her. She was t'e most beautiful t'ing I've ever seen, and not just 'cause she's naked in my shower. She had a pure soul t'at held a fierceness I've never seen. I've only known her for a week and a half, and I'm head over heels completely in love wit' her.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked quietly.
"Hm? Oh nothin'" I whispered, tradin' spots wit' her to give her a chance to warm up under t'e water.
"You're such a liar," she purred, leanin' against me and wrappin' her arms around my neck. "I saw the look in your eyes, just tell me." I bent down to give her a heated kiss. "Stop distracting me." she whispered against my lips.
"I was just thinkin' about how beautiful ya are." I growled "And about how much I love ya. And about how yer all mine." T'e farther down I kissed, t'e more she writhed against me, ignitin' a fire only she was capable of startin'. All she had to do was moan my name a single time before I picked her up to push her up against t'e wall. She gasped as t'e cold tile hit her, but t'en she wrapped her legs around me and melted into my touch.
She bit down on my shoulder as we finally met, fittin' together as if we were made for each other. Our lovemakin' t'is time was different than t'e others, t'ere was a bitterness of anxiety t'at surrounded us. This time, we needed a distraction from what we knew we would have to face in t'e comin' days. Once we were done, we just held each other surrounded by steam in our own little world. When we finally ventured out to get ready for t'e day, I heard t'e familiar beep from my stateroom lettin' me know I had a transmission waitin' for me.
Well t'at was quick. T'ankfully it was Eric lettin' me know he was on board wit' everyt'ing, now all I had left to do was to let Ana know and play t'e waitin game. I walked into t'e bedroom and came up behind her as she was braidin' her hair in t'e mirror.
"We've got a plan lass." Her eyes immediately lit up, but t'at spark didn't last long as I told her all t'e steps.
"Wait, so you mean to tell me t'at I have to be completely in his custody before we can do anything? What if something goes wrong John?!" she cried. "What about my dream?!"
"I'll make sure nothin' will go wrong lass," I tried to soothe her. "Wit' yer uncle helpin' us everyt'ing will go off wit' out a hitch."
She stood t'ere for a moment t'inkin' everyt'ing over. "We don't have any other choice?"
"Not one as complete as t'is one, no."
She raked her hands through her hair in frustration. "Okay, can you go over it one more time?"
I walked over, grabbed her hands, and forced her to sit on t'e bed wit' me. "When we land, t'ere will be a lady in waitin' t'at's been paid by yer uncle. We'll land on yer birthday in Montressor, t'e Royal Army will arrive around noon to escort ya to t'e royal chapel. T'ere, you will continue to prepare for yer weddin' as if nothin's a miss. Yer lady in waitin' will give ya a pair of street clothes to wear under yer weddin' dress to help disguise you, and before t'e chaplain comes for ya, two of Eric's guards will come help you two get away. They'll have a code word t'at only yer lady will know, once t'ey say t'e code word they'll take ya to yer uncle's ship and get ya away from Montressor." By t'e end of my explanation, she was shakin' and tearin' up all over again. I knew she was terrified, but t'is was t'e only way t'at was quick enough so her future in laws couldn't retaliate.
"Anastasia," I whispered, gainin' her full attention, "You know I wouldn't put ya in any situation I wasn't sure I could get ya out of. I would never put ya in danger."
She yanked her hands away from mine. "But that's exactly what you're doing John! What if the guards don't come, or the servant rats us out. Why can't we just get on a longboat now and go as far as we can?"
"Because, they'll send a search party out for ya and we won't have anyone to protect us. If we wait until yer uncle is within' reach you can stow away on his ship and he can keep ya safe."
She paced in front of the fireplace chewin' her nails nervously. "Fine," she sighed, "I guess we have no other choice."
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her deeply. "Everyt'ing will be fine my lass. Trust me."
"Yeah, yeah" she waved me off. I could tell she still didn't believe me but I couldn't blame her. It was like I was tellin' her she could walk through t'e pits of hell and not get burned. Once I was done gettin' dressed, Ana had her boots laced up, her knife strapped tight to her thigh and was waitin' for me by my stateroom door.
"You don't t'ink it'll be suspicious us both comin outta here at t'e same time lass?" I asked.
"Not after yesterday." she replied coldly. "The crew knows I stayed with you last night." T'is was a different side of Ana t'at I wasn't used to seein'. Towards other people sure, but never towards me. She had an air of authority wit' a twinge of danger, she commanded a different kind of respect t'an she usually did in a fancy ballroom. Well given t'e hell she's been put through on t'is ship, I'm surprised t'ats all t'at's changed about her.
As she swung t'e door open, we were met wit' a cool rush of night air. It was right before daybreak, so a majority of t'e crew was already up and makin' preparations for t'e days travels. I was shocked to see t'at every man we came across greeted Ana wit' a fist over t'eir heart and a slight bow, t'e exact greetin' you would give a captain. As I watched her return t'e gesture I couldn't help but grin.
"What's got you all excited?" she asked jokingly.
"Oh just t'e fact you have an entire crew bowin' down to ya after only a week and a half."
"Well she's earned it, especially after she fought beside us against the screechers." Matthew smiled as he saluted to Ana and myself. "Any other woman would've tucked tail and ran. Ana here fought just as hard, if not harder, than some men on this ship."
"Aye, so I've heard."
"Oh it wasn't that big of a deal," she laughed coyly, "I just wanted to do my part."
"Well you've done that and more," Matthew answered. "Just know you have a friend in me as well as the others should you ever need help."
"Thanks Matthew," Ana saluted him in return then turned to continue her way to t'e galley. As I watched her walk away, I suddenly had a flashback to t'e first time she stepped foot on t'is ship. She had been so timid yet excited, walkin' around carefully as if she was about to break anything any second. Lookin' at her now was like lookin' at a completely different woman. She strode with confidence down towards t'e galley, as if she's been on a ship her entire life. Never have I seen someone adapt so quickly and as well as she had.
Breakfast went by smoothly, everyone greeted us a good morning as they all took their seats. T'e only words Ana spoke however were responses to t'e crew members. Once everyone headed back to their stations, I stayed behind to help Ana clean up.
"Everyt'ing alright lass?"
"Mmhm," she mumbled. "Just a little tired is all."
I came up from behind her and gave her shoulders a gentle squeeze. "Why don't ya go get ya some sleep then?" I whispered, "I can finish up down here."
She waved me off nonchalantly, mutterin' somethin' how she wasn't t'at tired, but I could tell by t'e dark circles under her eyes t'at she was lyin. Takin' t'e dish from her hand, I spun her around to face me.
"Lass, when is t'e last night you got a full night's rest?"
She bit her lip as she counted t'e days in her head. "I guess t'e night we went dress shopping."
"Exactly. T'at was what, four days ago countin' today?" I glanced behind me to make sure we were alone, then pulled her into a corner in t'e galley where we'd be hidden. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her hair as she snuggled against my chest. She closed her eyes instantly and let out an exhausted sigh.
"Even if you forced me to lay down, I still won't be able to sleep. I'm too worried about everything."
"Lass, ya know t'ere isn't a t'ing to worry about."
This sentence seemed to just set her off. "See! That's the thing! This plan can go wrong in a million different ways, what isn't there to worry about?!" She pulled herself from my arms and started to pace again. "Do we even have a backup plan incase something goes wrong?"
"We don't need a back up plan Ana," I reassured, "If for some reason yer uncle's guards get intercepted his troops can just storm t'e castle. His forces outnumber theirs four to one."
"Your plan b is to just blow shit up if I can't sneak out? What if they try to kill you? What if they try and kill me? We can't run away if we're both dead." she cried. Tears started to shine in her eyes as panic started to set in.
I pulled her away from her pacin', placed my hands on her shoulders and forced her to look at me. "Anastasia. Don't. Worry. I won't let 'em lay a hand on ya and they won't be able to hurt me, I can handle anyt'ing those twits throw my way." I leaned down and kissed her gently. "I love you wit' all me heart. There ain't nothin' t'at will come between me and t'e woman I love, alright?"
My words left her speechless, but after she had a second to process t'em she collapsed in my arms wit' an exhausted sigh. "O-okay. And I love you too." she whispered. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a slow, sweet kiss.
"If ya need to take a break today just let me know. I doubt t'e crew would notice if you snuck a nap in."
She gave me one more kiss before walkin' back to t'e sink to finish up dishes. "Yes, they would." she laughed, "And if you remember correctly, you've had a rough couple of days yourself. If anyone needs a break from their duties today it's you."
"T'at's funny," I growled in her ear as I grabbed her hips. "I seem to remember you havin' trouble walkin' down a flight of stairs just yesterday,"
"John!" she shrieked playfully. Thankfully I was halfway up t'e stairs by t'e time she was takin' aim wit' t'e towel in her hands, t'e sounds of her beautiful laughter followed me as I headed up to t'e deck. Once I met up wit' Jim at t'e helm, we ran through all t'e pre launch checks smoothly. Just as we were done plannin' our course for t'e day, Ana came boundin' up t'e stairs, her exhaustion from earlier all but disappeared.
"So what's the plan for today Cap'n?" she asked cheerfully.
"If we're lucky nothin' too excitin'," I glanced sideways to her, "We should only have one more stop and then we'll be at Montressor."
Ana stiffened her back ever so slightly, a gesture only noticeable to Jimbo and I. "Where is our next stop?" she asked, tryin' to change t'e subject.
"T'e Coral Galaxy. If all goes we'll we should reach it two days before yer birthday."
"Fabulous." she growled, drippin' wit' sarcasm. As she leaned against t'e railin' to look out into t'e etherium, I had to fight t'e urge to walk up behind her and hold her. After a few moments Jimbo hastily cut off my daydreamin.
"Well, we better get to work," he muttered to Ana.
As she walked past me to follow Jim, I put a hand out to stop her. "Remember what I told ya earlier lass," I whispered. "If ya get too tired sneak into my stateroom and get some rest. I don't want ya fallin' asleep among t'e masts."
She placed a hand on top of mine and gave me a grateful smile. "I'll be careful John, I promise." And wit' t'at she bounded off after Jim down t'e stairs.
T'e entire morning had been t'ankfully uneventful, sailin' conditions were perfect, solar waves were calm, and it seemed like t'is side of t'e etherium was almost empty. Lunchtime slowly rolled around, just as I was walkin' down to t'e galley to start cookin', Jimbo met me at t'e top of t'e stairs.
"Silver, do you have a minute," he whispered.
"Sure lad," I motioned for him to follow me down t'e stairs. "Where's Ana?"
"She's headed to your stateroom, said she wanted to sneak a quick nap in before lunch."
"Good, I've been askin' her all mornin' to go get some rest." as we reached t'e back of t'e galley, I double checked to make sure we were alone. "What's on yer mind Jimbo?"
"Ana's birthday. I want to do something special for her." he grinned as he jumped up to sit on t'e counter.
"Aye? And what did ya have in mind?" I asked.
"Well I did some research, and it turns out there's a popular bar in the Coral galaxy." he took a bite out of t'e purp he grabbed on his way down. "The night we're gonna be there is the same night that Ana's favorite band is playing a little concert."
"Ya really t'ink she's gonna be willin' to go to a bar after what happened last time?" My mind flashed back to t'at horrible night spent wit' Ana and I bein' pissed at each ot'er.
"You can't really count that." he waved me off, "You both were throwing bitch fits and spending time with other people. If you're spending time with each other, I guarantee you both will have an amazing time."
I stood t'ere for a moment ponderin' over Jim's idea. "Come on Silver, she deserves to have something to look forward to for her birthday." he insisted
"You don't t'ink she's lookin' forward to gettin' out of her problem?" I whispered.
"Well, I can tell you based on what she told me today that she's more stressed out than excited, and I highly doubt she will be excited until everything works out."
"I guess I don't blame her," I muttered. "Fine. We'll disband t'e crew for t'e night and go out for her birthday." I turned to start gatherin' ingredients for lunch when I heard someone come down t'e stairs.
"What about my birthday?"