Thank you ograndebata & JainaZekk621 for the wonderful reviews!

I just realized how long it had been since I updated and also- that I only have three chapters, counting the epilogue, till the end of this story. And I have about one whole chapter done for the sequel. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys this chapter!

DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

I spoke to no one and no one spoke to me. I guarded Jimmy's wet body like a dog and his last bone. After a while, no man dared to come near me and soon the men left us alone in a corner of the boat. I sat next to the boy, stroking his hand unstopping. I took it as my duty to help out when they helped him onto the boat. I didn't say anything to answer any of their questions.

"I'll take care of him," was all I said and I told them to put him in one of the empty cabins. Somehow, the crew was able to fit Kong in the cages and I had no need to be that close to the creature. So I decided to take up furthest cabin away from everyone down below.

I wondered if Lumpy had gotten rid of all of his tools in medicine. I hoped not but I was pretty sure I could scramble up something to help ease Jimmy's discomfort. I didn't know much about medicine but I had a very basic idea for small cuts and wounds but that was about has far as my knowledge went. As the men lowered him onto the mattress, I came down the stairs and walked through the doors.

"You all can leave… now," I stated quietly.

The men glanced at me and then among each other. But I raised my glaze and met them in the eyes each. They bowed their heads from my deep glaze and trudged up. Captain Englehorn stayed behind.

"Lou…"

"I'm fine, thank you. Also… I'm sorry," I murmured and bowed my head.

Captain Englehorn didn't answer but I heard his heavy boots walk towards me. A warm hand lay on my shoulder and I whipped around. Captain Englehorn gave my shoulder a good squeeze, looked me in the eyes and then gave me a respectable nod. I returned it with one of my own. He dropped his hand and left silently.

I watched him disappear and waited till I couldn't hear his footsteps before I sighed. I pulled out Mr. Hayes' hat and wrung the water out; it made a tiny puddle in the middle of the room. Ignoring it, I placed it on a chair in the corner of the room to dry.

I sat down on the ground, leaning against the bed and closing my eyes. I felt the same, gentle sway of the Venture start up and we began to move. I felt my muscles relax and I sank into a deep sleep.

I woke up and it was dark outside. I got up, stretched and glanced through a small window. A blanket of pitch black was over us and I narrowed my eyes. Only then was I able to make out the little stars that sprinkled the sky. They were dim but they were there. Only a day and a half ago, I would have raced out to see the sky. But not now. I glanced outside again before I went back to Jimmy's side.

I sat back down and took up the spot I had just gotten up from. I noticed a small pile of dry clothing and I shivered, realizing mine were still quite damp. I picked up the clothing, realizing they were almost identical to what I was suppose to be wearing. At least they didn't try to figure out if Ann could spare any of her clothes to me.

I noticed another pile of clothing for Jimmy and I couldn't help but snicker. Still grinning quietly, I picked up another blanket and threw it over him. I hope his clothing were drier than mine.

I swiftly grabbed my pair and dashed off to the bathroom. After locking the door behind me, I stared in the mirror as the boat swayed quietly. I gingerly touched my scar underneath my eye. It was long and thin; but I noticed something else. It was paling out too and there for, after it healed completely, it would be only visible close up. The discovery made me smiled and I went onto my shoulder.

Ripping off the sleeve and part of the cloth that covered up my shoulder, I threw those pieces of my old shirt to the ground. I examined the wound carefully. Dried blood surrounded it and a small piece of seaweed actually sat near it. I made a face as I peeled it off and flicked it away with a flick of my finger.

Most of the skin was just scrapped away, like how my hands were. But my shoulder wasn't as bad. Of course, it bled but it wasn't worse than my hands and this wound appeared it would only leave one long scar. I frowned, grabbed some gauze that I had stashed in a secret hiding spot and bandaged up my shoulder the best as I could. After patting it down with a few winces and groans, it clung tightly to my skin and I admired my handy-work. My bandaging was getting better; I'll have to go through the crew and help them out.

After examining the rest of my body and nothing but bruises and little scrapes, I pulled on my new clothes. They had to be Jimmy's clothing because they were actually close to my original side. I glanced back in the mirror, giving a small smile. I saw a dead light in my eyes and my smile was sad and depressed. I shook my head, turning away from the cracked the mirror.

I unwrapped my hands and winced at the sight. They were covered in dirt, grime and blood. Lots of dirty gore, I thought. Carefully washing away the filth, I got a better view of them. They were all sliced up but the wounds weren't too deep. There wasn't any fresh, tender pink skin and I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. I turned my attention back to the wounds. The cuts were deep enough to scar and stay permanently but I could deal with that. But some of the cuts were still bleeding so I took up some more gauze and tore some clean pieces of fabric off my shirt; I bandaged them up again and then wrapped my palms in gauze. Hopefully that'll keep any infection or dirt out of them.

I glanced around the bathroom and noticed something sitting in the sink.

I saw the scissors and I smiled to myself. My hair was becoming too long now. With a few master-worthy snips, I had my hair back to its short length again. It probably looked so odd when it was that short so I allowed myself to leave it a few centimeters longer than normal. Someday, maybe in a month or so, I'll let Jimmy see it when it's long.

Mother always said it looked better longer but then she counteracted that statement with saying that short hair looked more natural on me. Mother… my thoughts wandered off to home. What would they say? Louie would be in happy hysterics that I came back; he always deemed the negative more logical and more likely to happen so he probably assumed that I had died or was never coming back. Mother, I think, would be in tears because I was back. She wouldn't try to act mad or angry; she'd be too teary eyed to do so. Father…

I wasn't sure how'd he react so I didn't try to think of it.

I picked up what was left of my clothing; there were no sleeves left from tearing them so I could use them as bandages or as I just did, examine the wounds on my back. May as well get rid of them, I thought. I snuck back into the cabin, closing the door with a tiny click. Tossing the clothing into a corner near the bed, I turned around to see Jimmy still lying on the bed, unmoved.

I sighed and lowered myself next to the bed, leaning against so I could see his face. Once again, my thoughts drifted. Suddenly, it plucked an odd memory out and my mind replayed it.

I set down the bag with Heart of Darkness inside it then me getting myself trapped on the log and leaving my bad behind, unable to rescue it. I sighed unhappily and glanced up at Jimmy.

"I'm sorry, Jim… I left it there by accident…Heart of Darkness…" I shook my head at my foolish move.

"But didn't we not want to hear no more dark stories?" I whispered, pausing for a response. Maybe I really did get sick in the jungle; maybe I lost my sanity since I was talking to an unconscious boy. I stared at Jimmy before I turned to watch the wall.

I didn't say anything more. I leaned against the bed and once more, I felt my eyelids close. I fell asleep again.

I woke up again, still sandy-eyed and tired.

I got up to my window again, peering out with little interest. I slept only for a few hours; the sun was just beginning to rise again. I glanced at the bed and saw Jimmy sitting up.

"Jimmy!" I whispered.

He raised his head and gave me a small grin. I threw my arms around him, embracing him tightly and I felt his arms wrap around my back. I winced as he bumped my sore shoulder and I felt he probably was in pain too. I slipped from his grasp and sat on the bed, watching him roll his shoulders.

He grimaced and stopped immediately, his shoulders slouching and his head hung low. I scooted closer to him, picking up his hand and gently holding it, I intertwined my fingers with his.

"Did… they get him?" he whispered.

I nodded.

"Did… they kill him?"

I paused and looked up at Jimmy. He slowly lifted his glaze to my eyes and I gave the smallest shake of my head.

"No… Carl… No, the ape is… please don't get mad Jimmy," I whispered urgently and gave his hand a squeeze.

He lowered his glaze to our hands and noticed my new bandaging. He slowly started to run his finger over it and didn't say anything. I sighed heavily, gave him one last glance before I spoke.

"Carl… Carl wanted to capture him… and take him back. So… the beast is actually in the cages; Captain Englehorn put all that chloroform to good use… I suppose…" I bowed my head, feeling tears roll down my cheeks.

"Lucy?" Jimmy asked.

"Wh-what?" I turned my head away, using the back of my hand to wipe away the tears.

"Why are you crying?" Jimmy whispered.

"I'm… I'm not crying." I whispered stubbornly back and wished my eyes didn't get so bloodshot if tears well up in my eyes. Jimmy turned my head towards him and he gave me a small smile.

"You're a really bad liar, Lou," he said with a chuckle.

I shook out of his grip and wiped away the rest of the sadness. I glanced at him, trying to imagine if he was hurt. He gave another small grin at me but when I didn't return it, the grin faded off his face.

"How do you feel?" I asked.

"… Like I was thrown against a wall…" he said with a small grin.

I gave a quiet chuckle and then looked him in the eye. He shrugged slightly and spoke again.

"Just tired…"

"You were out for at least a day and a half, Jimmy." I told him, trying to figure out if I was correct in my day measurements. He frowned, looking at me and then turned his head towards the ground.

"Oh…"

"You're a terrible liar, Jimmy," I repeated back at him and he flashed me a small grin. I shook my head, puckering my lips so I didn't laugh.

"How do you feel?" I asked again.

"Uh… bad?" He looked at me, confused. I sighed but a smile crept onto my face.

"Sore?"

He nodded.

"Tired?"

He paused, looked at me slyly and then nodded.

"Oh fine, don't take me seriously Jimmy." I growled playfully at him.

He started to smile and then puckered his lips, trying not to laugh. I raised an eyebrow, dropped his hand and cupped mien together in a tight ball. He looked sternly at me and as he tried to pry my fingers apart from each other, he talked.

"Leaving my book back on the island huh? Now the library probably won't ever let me check out again…" He shook his head atme with a small grin on his face.

I blushed, letting him finally open up my hand and hold it again.

"I'm… it's… you were suppose to be unconscious, Jimmy," I said with a playful accusation in my voice.

He shrugged.

"I woke up a little while ago but only heard that part before I fell back asleep."

"So… you were eavesdropping?" I questioned.

He looked up again and stared me right in the eye. I raised an eyebrow, looking back at me with the same stare.

"It's not eavesdropping if you were talking to me," he stated back at me with a smile playing on his lips.

I blushed a deeper shade of red and he laughed lightly. I shot him a lighthearted glare but he continued on to smile.

"You're getting too smart for your own good, Jimmy," I said.

He started to rub my hand with his thumb again, staring absentmindedly as he did so. It felt relaxing and I wondered how he felt right now, what was going through his mind at this moment. Then I remembered the hat. I glanced at the chair and with a sigh of relief I saw it was still there. I got up and quickly swiped it away from the chair, happy to have it dry now.

"It probably hurts to remember now but… I think…"

I shrugged; I didn't finish my sentence as I sat down next to him on bed. He took up my hand again and once again, began to rub little circles into the back of it. He held the hat in a tight fists and I saw he was trembling but he wasn't crying. I leaned against him lightly, hoping that it didn't hurt him too much physically.

"Thank you, Lu-Lucy," he stammered as his hand loosened around the hat.

I took it away from his shaking hand and placed it on his head. A small grin erupted on his face as I fiddled with it till I felt it sat right. I leaned back from it, admiring how it looked handsomely on his head. Jimmy looked shyly at me, a small smile till on his lips.

I looked at me, smiling happily. I glanced around the room, some light flooding through the small window, as the sun got higher in the sky. Then I felt a fingertip brush my cheek. Shivering from his touch, I turned to look at Jimmy. His face turned out to be inches away from mine.

"Lucy," he whispered and leaned in. His lips touched mine gently and I felt any panic or fear slip away. It was a soft, tender kiss but a kiss all the same. He pulled back, smiling and looking me in the face. I suddenly felt a stupid smile come over my face and he laughed. I started to blush immediately and I puckered my lips again, trying not to laugh along with him.

Heading back to New York didn't take as long as leaving it, it seemed to me. I was standing impatiently on the deck, pacing back and forth as the city came into view. Jimmy, whom was still very sore and it took a lot out of him to move around, sat watching back and forth with his eyes.

"You're going to make me dizzy if you don't stop," he said.

I paused and looked at him over my shoulder. He gave a sad smile and I sighed, sliding next to him. He didn't want me to leave but I had my adventure; I knew I wouldn't be allowed to ever leave my house again since I had been gone for so long. I leaned against him, resting my head lightly on his shoulder.