Chapter 44: What Mermaids Do

Phuket

3 years ago

The only thing he's aware of is the taste of vomit in his mouth as he drops to his knees on the beach.

His right eye is swollen shut, black, and he has bruises all over his face, his body. He's a mess, and he probably won't survive this night.

It's not like he wants to, anyway.

After spending the last year searching the world and not finding what he was looking for, or rather, who he was looking for, it's as if his life has no purpose. Not anymore.

How he hates himself, and the choices his stupid younger self made.

Something rises in his throat, he coughs before his hands go to the sand, and he trembles while vomiting violently again. There's nothing left in his stomach by now, but his body is still protesting. He's spent the entirety of the last two days drinking heavily, smoking and getting into fights.

What would his long gone father think? Hell, he'd probably be proud.

"Kournikov!" He barely acknowledges the distant voice, only mustering the strength to look up as three younger, Korean men come to a stop in front of him.

They all have mocking grins on their faces, but he can't bring himself to care. He can't even see properly.

Everything is blurry, his world is blurry, his life-

"What a sad sight this is." The leader says, staring down at him in pure contempt. "How come such a poor bastard like you... managed to steal from the greatest drug dealer around?"

He's unable to focus, to keep even his good eye open for more than a few seconds. Everything is spinning, and he can't feel any pain when the younger man walks around him and kicks his back hard, sending him face first to the sand.

They search his bag then, easily finding the money and the package containing 30 grams of pure cocaine.

"Where's the rest, Kournikov? The other 20 grams, where is it?"

He can't even breathe properly, let alone speak. And he's about to vomit again, coughing over and over.

But nothing comes out.

Grimacing, the Korean clenches his jaw. "Fuck this. Put him out of his misery already."

As the leader walks away, one of the younger men pulls out a gun. The moonlight catches on it and he closes his eyes.

This is it.

And he will welcome death with open arms.

He hears the gun cocking, but the bullet never comes.

"Madame Shih."

Opening his good eye again, he uses all his strength to lift his head from the sand. The Korean who had been mocking him a few seconds ago was now frozen in place, his two companions moving to his side, with their heads lowered in respect.

Only their leader keeps his chin raised, but his body language is passive.

Faintly, he realizes that the man is looking at something behind him.

Or is it someone?

"This one belongs to me, Ji Sung."

Yes, it's a person. A woman, with a velvety voice.

He had never heard a voice that held so much authority before.

"Madame, he stole."

"And I see you have already recovered what he took, correct?"

The Korean actually stutters when he speaks again.

"Madame Shih... You know how things work with Daeshim. The thief has to die, and we are to cut off his hands and take-"

"You are not to do anything." Her voice makes the three of them flinch. "Or will I be forced to terminate business with you and your master? Challenge me, and you won't receive another gram of cannabis from the Island."

There's nothing but silence, and then the three Koreans turn around, rushing away from the beach.

"Virgil, if you please." Her voice sounds more distant now, and next thing he knows, there's a man grabbing his arms and pulling him back to his feet.

When he turns around with some difficulty, he sees one of the most beautiful women he's ever laid eyes on.

Even though his vision is still blurry, he can see her regal face. She's thin, tall, probably Chinese.

And she looks like she's the queen of the whole fucking world.

"You're a mess, aren't you." She states, walking closer until she's right in front of him. "What is your name, dear?"

He can't find his voice.

Will he ever be able to speak again?

Is he even still alive? Maybe he was actually shot, and this is the afterlife.

He sees as those delicate, yet imposing features contort into a grimace briefly. And then she's nodding at the man still supporting him.

He wouldn't be able to stand on his own feet, if it wasn't for this guy.

"Let's get him to the boat now."

They begin to move, the man practically having to drag him along, and he suddenly tries to fight.

But when the Asian stops and turns around to face him again, it's as if she's controlling him with her mind.

She emanates power, and this has to be an hallucination.

Her cold fingers touch his bruised face, almost tenderly.

"You need to come with us." Is her simple statement, and all he wants is to get some answers.

Using the last ounce of his strength, he manages to mutter out a "why", but it's so pitiful, she probably didn't even hear it.

The man is still dragging him along and the Chinese woman is walking a few steps ahead of them. She doesn't even glance at him over her shoulder.

"You will know, in due time."

His eyes fall closed after she says those words.


Shih Island

Present Days

Working on scaling the fish, Charles takes a quick glance at the Russian sitting on the sand across from him.

That knife in the man's hand catches his eye again. It seems like a very good weapon, sharp, and he sees the name Kournikov engraved on the blade.

Vasyl's surname.

His eyes drop back to the task at hand, and once he's done removing the scales, he cuts the fish open. The mess and the smell don't bother him in the slightest as he reaches in and pulls out the entrails, then cuts the dead creature's head off.

What bothers him is the fact that this will be their lunch and dinner today. This and fruit. Like every other day.

He needs some red meat, so fucking bad. When they're finally able to visit the mainland in 3 weeks, he and Anne will spend hours and hours at the first steakhouse they can find.

The mere thought of it makes his mouth water. He and his protégée were not born to live without real meat, definitely.

Just as Charles finishes gutting another fish, he looks over at the sea. The corners of his lips twitch up, eyes softening.

Her smile is perfectly visible, even though she's not close to him. She's standing on the shore, the waves reaching her bare feet. The bodyguard is teaching her how to find the tiny sea slaters that run on the sand whenever a wave comes.

They look like little sea cockroaches. It's a miracle she's not disgusted, he knows she's not a big fan of those creatures.

But she keeps smiling as Virgil shows her a handful of wet sand, and she stalls for a brief moment before bringing her fingers to it, poking around and finding two or three sea slaters.

Taking the creatures into her own hand, she watches as they crawl over her palm.

The bodyguard says something to her, and then she's bending down to release the sea slaters just as another wave comes. It covers her hands, and Charles appreciates the view. Then she raises back to her normal stature, and his jaw clenches involuntarily when he notices the way Virgil's eyes move over her body briefly.

He supposes he can't really blame the poor man.

He was used to seeing his former boss all covered up in the past, and now she's standing by his side in a bikini. And her body...

Screw it.

Charles is confident in himself, and he trusts her 100% when it comes to this. She's not the cheating type. She loves him. She will be lying in his arms, when the night comes.

So Virgil can look as much as he wants.

When Eleanor stretches, raising her hands towards the sky, the sarong wrapped around her waist moves with the soft breeze, and he catches a glimpse of her perfect thighs. His mouth waters again, but for a completely different reason this time.

His eyes move from her legs to her flat, narrow stomach, then to the creamy white breasts, partially covered by the bikini top. She's such a fucking tease, even when she's completely clueless about what she's doing to him...

She'll pay for this.

The things he will do to her when their new tent is finally complete-

Sharp pain brings him back to reality and he looks away from his beautiful siren, his eyes returning to his hands as he curses under his breath.

As result of his distraction, there's now a cut on his palm.

"Here." Vasyl says, and he throws him a hostile look when the older man offers him a piece of fabric.

But then he sighs heavily, accepting the cloth and wrapping it around his hand to stop the bleeding.

"You should clean it soon. Wouldn't want it to become infected, would you?"

He doesn't answer, going back to cleaning the fishes as if nothing had happened. After everything Charles has been through, this pain is nothing.

"You got distracted by your lady, right? I don't blame you, you're obviously very much in love. What's your story together? I assume it must be a long one... I see the way you two communicate without words all the time."

Again, he ignores the older man.

This asshole just can't take a hint, can he?

"Surely such a bond isn't born out of nowhere."

His jaw clenches hard. Every single time this man speaks to him, his fingers itch to close around his neck.

"It's none of your business." He practically barks out the words, and Vasyl stays silent after that.

But his peace doesn't last.

"I once looked at a woman the very same way."

For some reason, Charles' eyes soften at those words. And before he can catch himself, the question is tumbling from his lips.

"What happened to her?"

The Russian seems genuinely surprised by his sudden interest, but recovers quickly.

"I lost her. A long time ago. Because of my stupidity and my stubbornness."

His eyes return to Eleanor for a moment, and he thinks about the governor's own lack of good sense while watching her carefree smile as she talked to the bodyguard. Looking at Vasyl again, all the hostility comes back to his face.

"Serves you right, then."

To his surprise, the older man chuckles. "I suppose you're right. There's not a day that goes by, when I don't think of her. And every morning when I wake up, I regret my choices and my actions very deeply."

"Regret isn't enough."

"Indeed." Charles can feel his eyes on him while cutting another fish open. "This is why I tell you... Never turn your back on those you love. Even if it seems like it's the only way out, never betray someone you care about. No matter what."

He just has to scoff, shaking his head, the briefest sting of hatred rising in his chest as he takes yet another look at Eleanor.

"Should have given this advice to someone else, a long time ago", he thinks, then gets the ill feelings under control.

He's getting better at doing that.

"But the two of you... This relationship of yours is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I hear your fights. The whole camp does, I think. I can hear the deep hatred you feel towards one another, it's clear as day in your voices, whenever you have a quarrel. And yet, soon after, you're back in each other's arms. I find it very curious."

"It's been like this for a long time."

If only he knew...

"And you don't feel like working things out? You don't want to put an end to those fight?"

"No." His tone is dismissive, almost bored, just like when he said that very same word to Max at the brothel, three centuries ago.

Vasyl studies his face for a while longer, and he tries to ignore the discomfort.

"I wish you could see the way you two behave when you're together."

Charles frowns at the words, just as they're cleaning the last two fishes.

"You're both intense. At all times. You... change when you're near her. It's almost as if she's a magnet and you're a piece of iron. Sometimes, the other way around. I just get the feeling you're connected to each other in such a way... Nothing could ever change what you feel for her, and what she feels for you, correct?"

Jesus, are they that obvious?

For some reason, he meets Vasyl's eyes, and his frown is automatic.

Those eyes... Those features, partially hidden by his greying beard.

Who the hell is this man he has in front of him?

A barely perceptible nod is the only response the Russian earns, and the corners of his lips curve into a soft smile.

"What the fuck did you do this time?"

A bossy voice suddenly breaks their moment and they look up to see Eleanor with a stern look on her face.

Taking that as his cue, Vasyl gets to his feet.

"I'll clean the mess, and get the fishes to the campfire. Please take care of his wound, pearl."

Eleanor frowns as Vasyl walks away.

"Pearl?"

"I already hate his guts and he decides to come up with little nicknames. I'll tear his eyes out-"

"You won't lay a finger on him." She interrupts him, reaching for his left hand as he gets to his feet. "He's Shih's favorite and one of our only soldiers, remember that."

Her eyes inspect the cloth, and only then he notices the blood is starting to seep through. Maybe the cut was actually deeper than he first thought.

"How could you have been so careless with a knife? It's not like you."

He shrugs, and she glares at him in warning when he moves closer with that wicked half smirk she knows far too well.

"Not my fault if the view was so nice."

Eleanor knows he's not talking about the bright blue sea. Rolling her eyes, she grabs a hold of his arm before leading him all the way to Jack and Anne's tent.

"Sit." Her voice leaves no room for argument and he cant help but chuckle while settling in the hammock. His eyes follow her every move as she rummages through one of their bags, looking for her first-aid kit.

Her grimace when she carefully unwraps his hand and gets a look at the cut is so freaking adorable.

"Jesus. You're not in pain?"

"Had far worse."

Sighing heavily, she grabs the bottle of rubbing alcohol. "No arguments there."

He doesn't even flinch when she pours the alcohol on the wound, and she's well aware of his eyes on her as she works, cleaning the nasty gash carefully and thoroughly.

She's relieved to see that the bleeding stops quickly, and he growls in protest when she tries to wrap a fresh bandage around his hand.

Her eyes are filled with warning as she looks up at his face.

"There's no way in hell I am going to let you walk around with that wound exposed."

He glares daggers at her and she keeps his eyes bravely for a few seconds until he sighs heavily, knowing there's no chance that she'll back down.

"It comes off tomorrow."

"It comes off when that cut is healed and that's final." She says with that bossy tone of hers, and before she can walk away to return the first aid kit to the bag, his arm is wrapping around her waist and he's pulling her down in the hammock.

She tries to fake a stern look, but all signs of irritation fade away when he captures her lips with his. Soon enough, the first aid kit drops to the dirt ground and her arms go around his neck as she moves to straddle his lap better.

Good hand and wounded hand move down her sides, then up again, his fingers flirting with the strings of her bikini top.

"If you knew what it does to me, seeing you dressed like that every fucking day, from dawn to dusk..." He trails off, that raspy voice sending shivers down her spine as he brings his lips to the column of her neck, nipping at the skin softly, then biting down hard without a warning.

Charles knows she loves that, and as always, he's rewarded with a breathy moan.

He lives for those sounds.

Goosebumps rise all over her arms and she kisses him again, hard.

They're almost forgetting about their lack of privacy when Jack comes in through the flap.

"Oh, good Lord-" He says, stopping in his tracks and closing his eyes with a grimace.

They stop immediately, and Eleanor makes sure her bikini top is still in place as Charles rolls his eyes.

"Hang a sign on the flap or something, for God's sake." Jack complains, his eyes filled with disgust as he walks out of the tent.

The mood is successfully ruined and Eleanor sighs before getting to her feet, grabbing the first aid kit to finally return it to the bag.

Just as the bell rings from outside, a signal that lunch was ready, Charles gets up from the hammock too. They share a quick look and when Eleanor pulls the flap open, she can't help but smirk at his mumbled words.

"So dead. He's so freaking dead."


Los Angeles

Staring up at the dark, stone ceiling, he brings one hand to his face.

His index finger and thumb make contact with the familiar material of the fake eye, and he unceremoniously plucks it out. Lifting it in the air, he clenches his jaw. His hatred and thirst for revenge against Vane and Eleanor have been put on hold for now.

He's not an idiot. He knows something must have made Rogers change his mind, he must have decided to stay in LA.

His former boss was probably worried he would do something stupid, so he got Mason to pull some strings. These two assholes set him up, and now he's stuck in prison again, all because of them.

That poor bastard in a business suit has no idea who he messed with.

A smirk tugs at his lips, excitement spreading through his system. He already has a plan for revenge.

Ned knows what made that idiot want to stay, he knows there's only one possibility. And damn it, he's going to put Rogers through hell. His punishment for that betrayal will be far worse and more painful than death itself.

That bastard has no idea what's coming his way.

He'll hurt those he holds dear.

He's going to take everything from him.


The soft rise and fall of the baby's chest puts a half smile on his face.

The chubby cheeks, those tiny fists resting on either sides of his head, his soft chestnut hair the exact same color as Sarah's.

He looks so delicate. Even more so, when he's asleep.

It's a nice change, being so close to him and not seeing that fear in his eyes.

Sighing briefly, Woodes carefully brings his fingers to the baby's face, stroking his hair, his left cheek. Such soft skin.

To his surprise and frustration, not even three seconds pass before Aiden scowls in his sleep, letting out a barely audible noise of complaint and turning his head to the other side.

How is it possible that his son despises him, even when he's in the land of dreams?

He's never seen anything like this before.

Clenching his jaw, he pulls the blanket over Aiden's small body, then steps away from the crib.

That's when his phone vibrates in his pocket. And his heart skips a beat.

He can't even blink while reading the report.

The Ranger was spotted.

"...Ship made port in Cape Verde about 5 months ago, and a blonde woman, apparently in her early twenties was seen out and about on the Island, always with a tall, thin man with short dark hair by her side..."

Rackham, of course. He was probably making sure she wouldn't try to flee.

His hand is shaking, and he reads the full report over and over again.

Stepping out of the nursery, he puts his phone back into his pocket. His brief laugh is automatic. For the first time since he woke up from the coma, Woodes feels as if he's actually alive.

It's the first time he has any solid news from her, after all this time of doubt and anguish...

His suspicions were right. That monster didn't stay in the Bahamas, Max lied to him.

Hope is filling his heart, and he can't bring himself to care.

Eleanor is still alive. He feels it in his bones. And no matter what his brother and Sarah say or think, he knows he's now one step closer to finding his wife and bringing her back home. So they can finally have the life of their dreams, the life they deserve. Finally, after three centuries.

He will make her happy again.


Shih Island

4 days later

Laughing in happiness, Eleanor takes a drink from her wooden mug.

They're celebrating tonight.

The new tent will be ready tomorrow, and while it's been strangely nice to spend their nights here with Jack and Anne, Eleanor can't wait to have some privacy again.

With him.

It's been an interesting, funny and nerve-racking experience all at the same time, but she's ready to be alone with her pirate again.

"That's just what mermaids do." Charles says, after Jack asks what caused him to be so distracted, to the point of hurting his own hand. "They put a man under their spell, and when the poor bastard realizes it, it's too late."

"A mermaid, huh?" His best friend says with a raised eyebrow, reaching for the rum bottle on the dirt ground between them so he could refill his mug.

"She's missing the tail, but that's all. Because she definitely has the beauty and the voice."

Anne snorts, but there's a half smirk on her face. Jack shakes his head at him with a chuckle.

"And here I thought it was impossible that you became even more love-struck than you were in the past. This is pitiful, you know."

Unable to repress her bright smile, Eleanor meets her criminal's eyes and touches her shoulder to his as they sit on the ground. "What would your past life self think?"

"What would yours think?" He counter attacks, and she raises an eyebrow.

"I haven't changed one bit."

She's rewarded with the rare, beautiful sound of his laughter.

"I'm afraid you're lying to yourself, love."

She frowns at Jack, feigning a hurt look.

"Et tu, Brute?"

"'Please don't leave me', rings any bells? A certain night when you were emotionally and physically hurt, and I went to your rescue?"

She narrows her eyes at Charles after he says that, but the corners of her lips twitch up involuntarily.

Bringing one hand to his thigh, she leans in to whisper in his ear.

"Touché. For now.

He can't stop himself from turning his head and stealing a quick kiss.

A sound of complaint comes from Anne, reminding them that they're not alone.

"Just be glad and grateful that you didn't walk in on the same scene I did, earlier today." Jack tells her, then sighs heavily while his leader lights a cigarette.

"Karma's a bitch."

Frowning at her lover's statement, Eleanor refills her mug too.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"These two had me traumatized a few years ago... One night when I walked into the main space of the hideout and looked at the couch. That image is burned into my brain."

"You were supposed to stay in Vegas for the whole weekend. Not our fault."

Watching their interactions, Eleanor can't stop herself from smiling.

These three are so interesting, the dynamic between them... She suddenly realizes she couldn't be happier about her little... Family? That must be what they are by now, right?

They're a family. Albeit a strange one.

It's weird, but in a very good way.

"It wasn't even the first time I caught the two of you, so you don't get to complain just yet. We have a score to settle." Charles says to his friend and she slaps his shoulder half-heartedly before stealing his cigarette.

"'Please don't leave me'? Who would've ever guessed." Jack teases, and she rolls her eyes while blowing out the smoke.

"I was in a very fragile state. And high on painkillers."

He grins at her, and to her surprise, Anne is smiling at her too, when she looks at her. The redhead is quick to avert her eyes though.

Chuckling quietly to herself, she hands the cigarette back to its owner before resting her head on his shoulder and closing her eyes.

Despite everything... She's happy right now. She's learning to enjoy those stolen moments of peace and calm.

There's no way to tell what tomorrow will bring, so they better make the most of every single day.


Notes:

Sorry guys, just one chapter this week. Also, sorry it's so short. College is killing me, and I only had time to write this one.

Guest: lol here's Mr. Kournikov again, enjoy! And don't worry, he will appear next weekend too. Glad you like him so much!

Angie-Han: Ugh I know what you mean. Poor little angel, huh? It hurts me to keep Aiden in that house, with those people. Don't worry, he does have a tough path ahead of him, but he will eventually be away from that rotten family ;)

Roza-Maria: My goal was to achieve a Lost atmosphere on the Island, so I'm really glad to know I succeeded! :D Yep! Ever since that day when I swam with the turtles, I wanted to write a scene like that for them, because it was so magical. Glad it made you melt ;) Also thank you! Happy to know I managed to make Eleanor's fear palpable. And yes, we know what Sarah and Aiden are going through right now :( Things will get very, very dark for that woman. I'm still hesitant to write everything I have in mind. I can't wait to write the revenge against the Spanish pig either! Rest assured, he will suffer a lot.

Next chapter teaser:

"So that means everything's regular again?"

She has to smile at his ignorance on the subject. It's strangely sweet.

"As long as it comes again in two weeks, yes."