A/N:

I really hope I clarified who the Endless was to those of you who were a bit confused. I did my best to explain it xD

So, let's what happens in the small little village, shall we, and if perhaps there will be any information about those missing :-D

I'm gonna continue putting the disclaimer here just be sure that everyone is aware of where this story originated.

This story isn't 100 % mine. I have transformed it into a story from an interactive story app called Choices and the creators are Pixelberry Studios.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot 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.

{Chapter 2}

We made our way over to the cluster of Kaarii dwellings along the beach, and once we were closer, it was obvious it was a smaller village with a few market stalls.

"Everything's shuttered up," Edward said.

I looked around the empty area skeptically. "You really think someone here might've seen our friends?"

He shrugged. "Don't know, but it's a possibility."

"It is an island, after all," Angelique pointed out and smiled.

"Guess we're gonna have to start pounding doors." Edward walked up to the central hut and got ready to knock when a small round window swung open.

"Salabok tiji!" the frog-masked Kaarii man exclaimed.

"English?" I asked carefully, and the man immediately sighed, annoyed.

"We're closed," he repeated.

"Even for the catalysts?" I asked, hoping he was one of the 'devoted.'

Edward grinned and threw his hands out. "Twelve Catalysts of myth and legend. Perhaps you've heard of us?"

"Catalysts, huh? Wow. Yep. Really something," the Kaarii nodded, but then he leaned back inside. "Still closed." He prepared to shut the window on his stall. "There were others like you at the cove recently … but not nearly as annoying!"

"Others? Like us?" I put my hand on his window to stop him from shutting it. "Wait! I might have something that'll interest you."

Edward put a hand on my shoulder. "Princess, you're gonna barter with this guy?"

I reached into my pack for something I could trade for the Kaarii's information, but the only thing I could find was another Havana cigar from the MASADA lab that I couldn't remember finding. It was obviously water damaged, but I hoped the Kaarii man wouldn't mind. "How about a sublime cigar? You haven't lived until you've tried one of these babies," I said and held it up.

"Princess ain't wrong. I've sampled one of them myself," Edward attested with a nod.

"Hmm … promising."

I held the cigar out to the Kaarii. "Okay, so I'll trade it to you for—"

"Emry doesn't need it. Have several."

My stomach dropped in disappointment. "Oh."

"Your selling technique, though, that has promise!" He peered at me through his mask and chuckled softly. "Come back tomorrow and Emry will have a business proposition for you." With that, he slammed the window shut and left us in silence.

"Rude," Leah frowned.

Edward stifled a yawn. "Sounds like our best bet'll be to ask around in the morning. In the meantime, the patch of sand over there's calling my name," he said and pointed over his shoulder with his thumb.

I agreed with him. "Let's get some rest and see what we can find out tomorrow."

"Raisonnable. I will take first watch."

The four of us found a secluded spot on the beach to spend the night, and as soon as I settled down, Edward curled up behind me. "You looked like you needed a big spoon," he said, and I smiled with contentment.

The next morning, I awoke to the sound of yelling. I blinked several times and then disentangled myself from Edward's arms to sit up.

Angelique stood in front of the market stall, now laden with goods. The Kaarii from last night appeared highly agitated.

"Emry said go away! We've had enough of your kind, raiding and pillaging!"

Angelique smiled flirtatiously. "Not all of us are like that, ami. Some of the most respectable people you'll ever meet are pirates!"

Emry crossed his arms. "Oh, really? Is that why you pocketed those mezzberries?"

Angelique gaped with feigned innocence. "They were not free samples?"

"You're all the same! Thieving good-for-nothings!"

Edward groggily sat up behind me. "Mm? Ugh … where's the fire?"

"Come now. I'm a customer like everyone else," Angelique insisted.

Emry still refused. "You should leave … Oh, unless you have some throats to cut or property to steal!"

"C'est dommage." Angelique sighed and walked back to us.

"Everything okay?" I asked her, and she merely shrugged and began munching a handful of berries.

Back at the stall, Emry was trying to get the attention of Kaarii passing through the area. He yelled in the Kaarii language, and I didn't understand any of it, but then I heard him mention Jacorel.

I gasped. "Jacorel?"

"That's our cue," Edward said and stood up before offering me a hand.

Edward, Leah, and I rushed to the stall while Angelique scowled and reluctantly followed. Several Kaarii peered curiously in our direction as we approached.

Emry turned. "Ah, just the one Emry wanted to see! Come, there's a deal to be made!"

"So Jacorel was here? Where did he go?" I asked.

The trader glanced at the Kaarii milling around in the market, and then at the untouched goods on his counter. "Emry can take you to the elyyshar, but first your help is needed. You see … there hasn't been a single sale today. If things don't turn around soon, Emry will have to close permanently!"

"We didn't come here looking for a job," Leah said and crossed her arms.

"Just help complete one barter. Then we go see the elyyshar," Emry promised.

"I guess that sounds simple enough," I said, shrugging.

Edward frowned. "We're gonna hawk Frog Mart's wares? What even is some of this stuff?" he asked and looked at the strange items on the table.

Emry looked offended. "Gah! The value of my good will be obvious to any who see them!"

Leah rolled her eyes. "If you say so."

A little while later, we wandering through the village and tried to trade with various Kaarii.

"Zehn tosskal," a female dismissed when Edward showed her what he had.

"Aw, come on. It's, uh … a hat made out of bananas! What's not to like?"

Leah didn't have it much easier. "It's simple. I give you this bag of seashells and you give me something in return. Ready? And go."

"Go." The Kaarii turned and continued on his way.

Angelique called out in a happy tone. "Come and get your seaweed crackers! And, amis, I can attest to their deliciousness..."

Emry shook his head. "No, no! Those are opaba lisi," he corrected her. "Dried leeches."

Angelique sputtered in shock, and almost dropped what she had in her hands, but I hurried over and took them from her to take over since she appeared to have lost her ability to speak.

"Anyone wanna trade for some opaba lisi?" I called out, but I was still unsure why anyone would want a bunch of dried leeches.

"Opaba lisi? Koh!" A ram-masked Kaarii man hurried toward me. He removed a wriggling centipede from a pouch at his waist.

I nodded and smiled widely. "Yes. You want to give me that in exchange?" I asked eying the centipede.

"Khalarat ryysa! Tosskal!" The Kaarii nodded eagerly and dropped the centipede into my palm and happily accepted the handful of dessicated leeches.

Emry smiled. "Yes, indeed! Opaba lisi is a powerful aphrodisiac."

Edward chuckled. "Figures."

I looked over and noticed Angelique had recovered and cornered another male Kaarii. "Mmm, I do like a man of mystery. Perhaps you'll give me a glimpse of your handsome face?"

"Uh..."

Leah laughed. "An aphrodisiac is about the last thing she needs."

I chuckled with her and then handed the centipede to Emry.

"Ohhh, thank you, Catalysts! You've saved me!" he exclaimed thankfully.

Emry pulled out a small bundle wrapped in palm leaves and placed it on the counter. "The elyyshar's requested goods. He and his entourage are camped in a hidden inlet west of the cove." He pointed toward a gap in the cliff face, through which I could see an expanse of beach. "Emry needs to finish up here, but perhaps you wouldn't mind delivering the goods to Jacorel?"

"Absolutely." I grabbed the bundle and ran for the inlet with Edward and Leah close behind.

Angelique called out from across the village. "I'll be right here if you need me, mes amies!" She turned back toward the elephant-masked Kaarii. "Now where were we, mon beau mec bleu?"

After heading through the gap in the cliffs, we arrived at a secluded strip of beach where Benjamin, Jacorel, Kate, and Emmett sat together in the sand.

As soon as they saw us, all of them jumped to their feet.

"Bella!" Benjamin came running over and threw his arms around me and hugged me tightly. "I knew you were okay! I knew you'd find us!"

"It's Bella! It's Bella," Emmett cheered, running up next and nearly knocked us over when he joined the hug. "Yeahhhhh!"

"Bella, thank goodness..." Kate sighed out and embraced me as well as the others.

Jacorel looked confused. "Ah … is this a proper greeting?" he asked and awkwardly wrapped his arms around the four of us. "It is good to see you, Bella."

"I missed you guys."

While everyone stood pressed around me, Edward cleared his throat. "Ahem. Leah and I are okay, too, just in case you hooligans were wondering."

They stepped back and looked at Edward and Leah.

"Glad you two are alright," Benjamin said genuinely.

"Wait," Kate stopped us. "Garrett was in the helicopter with you. Is he...?"

Leah looked apologetic. "We don't know. He and Peter went to search along the coast when we separated to look for Bella."

"What about Rosalie? And Victoria?" Benjamin asked.

Edward shrugged. "No idea."

"I've sent my best scouts to locate everyone. If the others can be found, they will find them," Jacorel reassured.

"I don't like that 'if'," Kate said with downcast eyes.

"Homies, what we need right now is a dope-ass brunch. You can't be anxious on a full stomach," Emmett said optimistically.

"Ugh, I'm starving..." Benjamin said and rubbed his stomach.

"The supplies from the trading post should arrive soon," Jacorel told him.

"Oh! I almost forgot," I exclaimed, remembering the package. I handed the leaf-wrapped bundle to Jacorel, who inspected it briefly, then offered it to Emmett.

"Haha, the good stuff's finally here!" Emmett unwrapped the bundle excitedly. "What the … a mango and a bunch of seaweed? Where's the coconut milk? And the spices?"

I gaped, lost for words. "Oh, uh … I guess that's all he had."

"Tsh, it's fine. I've made feasts with less than this. I'll just … I'll, um … I can..." Emmett stared at the pile of seaweed and meagerly sized mango. His hands began to tremble, and then he threw the ingredients down. "I can't make anything with this!" He turned and stormed off, walking down the beach at a brisk pace.

"I think we broke Emmett again," Benjamin said sadly.

"You guys wait here. I'll go check on him," I said and followed Emmett. When I caught up with him, and we began walking along the water together. "Hey. You okay?"

As we rounded a rocky outcropping, I noticed tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Bella … I can't do it."

"Emmett, everyone appreciates your cooking. You don't need to impress us, you know. You're our resident top chef and that's that," I encouraged, hoping it would brighten his mood.

He nodded, but still looked sad. "I know. It's just, I'm always the one to bring everyone together, to lighten the mood..." He stopped and his gaze fell to the sand. "I don't think I can do it now, Bella. After everything we've seen … I don't have it in me anymore."

Suddenly, a soft green glow filtered onto Emmett's face, and the translucent figure we'd encountered earlier was next to us, leaning toward Emmett concernedly.

"You again?" I exclaimed in shock.

Emmett's mouth fell open. "Ohhh god .. I'm too sober for this to be happening!"

"What are you? What do you want from us?" I asked the figure, but once again, I got no answer.

The figure suddenly flared with light and offered a leatherbound notebook to Emmett imploringly.

Emmett looked shocked. "Huh? That's … Grandma's recipe book! I thought it got burned up!" He hesitated, staring wide-eyed at the ghostly being. "No, I shouldn't … it's a trap. It's a trap!"

I shook my head. "It's not a trap. I've seen this before. I think it's trying to help us." As my fingers closed around the slim volume, the glowing figure was lost in waves of undulating light. I held the notebook out to Emmett. "Here, Em. You'll want to see this."

Emmett took the book, and the world disappeared into a white haze.

I was suddenly in an outdoor marketplace. Stalls full of vibrantly colored produce stretched as far as I could see.

Emmett was there, surrounded by a small film crew and a cameraman.

"Alright, let's take it again. Can I get starting positions?" the director called out.

"Sorry, uh, does someone have my coffee?" Emmett asked.

The director waved at an assistant. "Let's get Emmett his coffee, please! And we're rolling in 3 … 2 … 1..."

A hush fell over the crew. Emmett picked up a bundle of leeks and beamed into the camera.

"Hey, guys! Emmett McCarty here. We're outside one of my favorite food markets in the world, La Vucciria in Palermo, Italy! As most of you know, my cooking is majorly inspired by my buddies from college. That's why I'm here with my bro of bros, Peter Chen!"

Peter walked up to Emmett and waved to the camera. "Yo!"

"You ready to get sickly leeked, dude?" Emmett asked with a grin, but Peter looked confused.

"Ugh, what? Oh! You mean your grandma's chicken and leek curry? That stuff's bomb!"

Emmett nodded. "You know it. We're gonna need fresh ginger, a few cinnamon sticks, and, uh … er..."

"Cut!" the director yelled. "You okay, Emmett?"

Emmett scrubbed his face and nodded. "I'm fine, sorry. Late night last night."

Peter grinned. "Hey, it's not his fault everyone wants to buy the star of McCarty's Delicious Dishes a drink!"

The director shook his head. "Okay, let's try starting with the interview instead. Ready? And … action!"

Emmett cleared his throat and turned to Peter. "So, broseph, I'd ask you what your favorite food is if I didn't already know your feelings on the subject of fried chicken."

Peter shrugged and laughed. "Ha, I try to keep it gourmet, you know? Plus a little Szechuan sauce makes everything tastier."

Suddenly, Emmett's phone went off. He pulled it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. "Oh, it's Segel! Sorry, guys, I gotta take this real quick."

Peter gaped. "Segel? Like … Jason Segel? The actor?"

The cameraman stopped recording, and Emmett lifted his phone to his ear.

"Jason, my man! S'up? Milan? Tonight? I dunno, man. Alright, alright, now we're talkin'. It's a deal. See you there, dude!" Emmett put his phone away and turned toward the crew.

"Okay, people. Back to the top," the director yelled.

"Actually, I'm gonna have to cut this short," Emmett said with a smile.

"What?!" the director exclaimed. "Emmett, we've barely got enough footage to work with for this episode!"

Emmett grinned. "We're about to get a whole lot more. We're gonna take Grandma's curry to a premiere after-party in Milan!"

"Whaaaat? Hell, yeah!" Peter cheered.

"Jason wants me to take over catering. He says we can film whatever we want. You're comin', right, Pete?"

"Bro, Imma keep living your dream with you as long as I can!"

The scene was suddenly awash with bright light again.

I was back at the beach with Emmett, and he was holding the recipe book in his shaking hands.

"Bu-wha … I think I just saw the future, Bella!"

I nodded with a smile. "I think I saw it, too."

Emmett looked dazed. "In my family, my grandma was the only one who believed in my cooking." He looked at me with cautious hope. "Do you really think I could have my own show someday?"

I grinned at him. "Emmett, your food is already legendary with us. It's only a matter of time before other people catch on."

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, you know … I think maybe you're right." He flipped open the recipe book and took a deep breath. "Alright, Grandma, let's do this!"

We made our way back to the others.

"Everything okay, Lagasse?" Edward asked, and I shook my head at his new nickname.

"Guys! The X-Files was right … the truth is out there!" Emmett exclaimed.

"You know that was just a TV-show, right?" Benjamin said with a smile.

"Emmett, where did you get that book?" Kate asked, alarmed.

Emmett shook his head. "Never mind, doodlejumps! We're goin' back to the market!" He started off at a half run toward the gap in the cliffs.

I laughed. "Come on, everybody! After that chef!"

As we approached the trading post, Jacorel stopped to look out across the water, and I noticed a few sails bobbing and swaying amid the tide.

"Windsurfers," Jacorel explained. "This cove has the best waves in all of Kaanu."

"Little do the people of Elyys'tel know that surfing is their king's true calling," Benjamin said as he joined us, and winked.

Jacorel shook his head. "You are my true calling, Benjamin."

Benjamin's eyes widened and he blushed.

"But surfing is also very good," Jacorel finished.

Benjamin rolled his eyes. "Pff. You just had to ruin it, didn't you?"

Jacorel smirked and leaned down to plant a kiss on Benjamin's head.

Angelique walked over to us. "There you are, mes chers! My masked beau was shier than I'd expected. Though, he was kind enough to give me his sea catch for the day." She tossed a small satchel brimming with oyster shells at my feet.

"Oh, sweet. I should be able to crack these babies open," Emmett said happily before pulling a rock out of the sand and sat down next to the satchel.

I raised my eyebrow in amused suspicion. "Angelique, are you sure he gave you these? You didn't take them?"

Angelique grinned and looked out over the water. "My, this is a beautiful view!" she said and pretended she didn't hear me.

"Ugh," Emmett groaned. "These are tough! Where's Garrett when ya need him?"

Kate's shoulders slumped and she glanced around the trading post, looking for anything to distract her from her thoughts. "Huh. One of the huts is decorated with flowers."

Jacorel looked toward the hut. "It means that the couple who lives there has been joined by a handfasting."

"A handfasting?" I asked curiously.

"In Kaarii society, when two people love each other very much, they may choose to bond their lives together in a ceremony called Niala'rei," he explained. "Before friends and family, they are symbolically joined and must spend a year and a day in each other's presence. If they still love one another after that time, their spirits are believed to become one for all eternity."

"So it's a wedding ceremony?" I asked to clarify.

"Is that what you call it in your culture?" Jacorel asked, and I nodded since I sounded like they were similar things.

Benjamin sighed with a small smile. "That's … beautiful."

Angelique huffed. "A beautiful hell, perhaps!"

Edward chuckled at Angelique and turned to Emmett. "How those oysters comin,' Cookie?"

Before Emmett could respond, I heard a chorus of gasps.

The Kaarii bustling through the trading post had all stopped to look toward the water.

"He's back! Run for your lives!" Emry exclaimed.

I looked out across the sea.

"Is that a pirate ship?" Benjamin asked next to me.

Angelique's eyes darkened into a thunderous glare. "Janvier, you bastard!"

Cannonballs flew toward the Kaarii dwellings and trailed arcs of smoke. A hut next to us shattered apart, raining down sharp splinters.

"Look out!"

I dropped to my knees and shielded my head with my forearms. The debris hit me but slid away harmlessly. Leah rushed over to help me up.

All the Kaarii in the area were running for the cliffs. "Go … Go!"

Emry was frantically gathering up his goods. "You'd better get out of here, Catalysts. He's coming to—" He was interrupted by a loud thunk coming from the side of his stall.

A harpoon was lodged in the wood, connected to a zip line, and someone was gliding over the water from the ship.

The man in the long coat hopped onto the sand beside Emry's stall.

Angelique strode toward him angrily. "Look what crawled out of the cesspools!"

"Well, well, if it weren't my least favorite ghost!" the man said. "Stand aside … unless you're ready to return to the grave."

I glared at the man. "What's going on here?"

"Parley's just finishin' up. Now it's time to take what's mine." The man pulled a wheellock pistol from his belt.

"Janvier, you scabrous bilge eel! I'm not about to let you sack this place," Angelique shouted furiously.

"These people live peacefully here. You will not harm them," Jacorel growled and placed himself in front of the pistol.

I gasped. "Janvier? You mean this is your old captain who made you walk the plank?" I asked Angelique.

"The very same." Angelique drew her own pistol, but Janvier blasted it from her grasp with a rapid shot, sending it tumbling across the sand.

"Missed. Was aimin' at your head. Second time's the charm, eh?"

"Stop!" I cried out. "There's nothing of value here!" I yelled in hopes it would deter the pirate, but Emry outrageously protest.

"How dare you!"

"That's a little harsh, Bella," Benjamin agreed, obviously not understanding that I didn't really mean it.

"Emry works night and day to supply this shop with … with…" he trailed off and then his shoulders drooped. "Nothing! Emry has nothing!"

"You don't gotta tell us twice," Emmett mumbled.

"You see?" I gestured around for Janvier. "Are you really gonna kill people over fruit and seashells?"

Janvier reloaded his pistol. "I said talkin's done! Out of my way!"

With a roar, Angelique ran headlong at Janvier and tackled him into the surf. They wrestled and boxed furiously, neither one gaining the upper hand.

Benjamin looked away. "Ugh, I can't watch … they're like bloodthirsty animals on National Geographic."

"That's it! Give him a good throttling!" Emry cheered on.

Finally, with chests heaving with exhaustion, the two pirates resorted to bickering.

"You always thought you were better at everything!" Janvier growled.

"I am better, you pox-ridden guttersnipe!" Angelique yelled back. "You remember what you told me, on the coast of Los Barbados? That you were the greatest wave rider? You were wrong. It was I who was the best!"

"Tell it to my arse! You're a wave rider like a cabin boy's a first mate!" He pointed across the cove. "You see those columns over there? I'd bet my ship you couldn't get a grasp around the last of them in less than an hour's time."

A smile formed on Angelique's lips. "What did you say?"

"I said, I bet my ship you can't…" Janvier realized what he'd said and cleared his throat. "Er, never mind."

Angelique smirked. "O-ho! You can't get out of it now, you leprous barrel monkey! You're on!"

Janvier gritted his teeth. "Arrr … Fine, you forked-tongued scalamagdrion. But come back in more than an hour and I get every last plantain and filbert out of that stall, understand? Blasted blue elves owe me after what they did to me crew. And if your friends even try to stop me, I'll blast this place sky high!"

Emry shook his head. "What?! No! No deal!"

"Bon. The wager is accepted. And since I get to choose a condition as well, I select Bella to represent me in the test of skill."

I gaped at her. "What?"

Angelique straightened her hat and jacket and walked over to me. "Oui, for a ship! A ship that will help us find your friends!" She leaned over and whispered in my ear. "The fact is, he's right … I'm a horrible surfer."

My eyes widened. "But then, why would you...?"

"Tricks of the trade, mon amie!" She winked at me.

Janvier pulled out a small hourglass and trudged toward the other side of the cove. The rest of us followed.

"Woooo! It's on!" Emmett cheered.

I groaned. "Oh, boy … what have I gotten into?"

Janvier looked at me. "You may choose a mate to go with you," he said, and I didn't even have to think about it before I turned to Edward.

"You want to be my partner, babe?" I asked with a smile. "I believe we've proved to be a rather good team before."

Edward pulled off his shirt. "Looks like it's time to get wet," he said and headed over to the surfboards.

I stripped down so that I was in my t-shirt and underwear that would have to do since I didn't have my bikini anymore. I couldn't even remember when I'd last had it.

"You've got one hour to make it around the farthest pillar and back. A breath longer and it's time to pay up or get blown up … Go!" Janvier flipped the hourglass and slammed it down in the sand.

Edward and I grabbed the sails on our boards and started running into the water.

"Alright, climb up!" Edward got on his board and angled his sail backward. I stood up on my own board and grabbed the rig attached to the sail. The wind immediately launched me forward.

Edward's powerful frame allowed him to fully harness the wind. He hurtled across the water and guided me on the quickest path ahead. "Stay close and we'll be home in time for supper, Princess."

"Only if you can keep that up!"

As we approached the first set of columns, a huge wave came crashing through the area and we were forced toward the cliffs.

In the water below, a school of fish darted forward, riding the powerful current. I mimicked the fish and used the added momentum of the waves.

"Let's give it all we've got!"

Edward grinned. "Whatever floats your boat, Princess."

We angled our sails backward and surged along the cliffside. Carefully, we made our way through the jagged spurs of rock, and it wasn't long before the final column came into view.

I rounded the pillar carefully and started back toward the shore. As we wound our way back through the colonnade, something fell from a rock outcropping and landed on my sail. "What the heck is..."

I looked up to find a large black spider crawling down the sail fabric. I screamed in shock.

"Good gravy," Edward exclaimed at the size of the creature. "Keep cool, Princess, he probably just wanted a ride or something..."

I frowned angrily. "Get off my boat!" I reached up and found my hand closing around something metal. Glancing at it, I noticed mechanical limbs and a tiny camera where the arachnid's head should have been. "That's … not what I expected," I said, and then heard a crunch as my tight grasp broke the device's delicate machinery. I decided to keep it in case it would come in handy later.

I focused back on the goal and did my best to lean the sail into the wind and gunned for the shore.

Finally, Edward and I slid smoothly onto the beach.

At the other side of the cove, several Kaarii had stopped what they were doing to watch. The others cheered as we walked up to them.

"Damn! Did you guys see Bella and Edward out there? They were like a couple of those walks-on-water lizards!" Emmett exclaimed with a wide grin.

I rushed over to Janvier to get a glimpse of the hourglass. "There's still sand running through it! We did it!" I yelled excitedly.

"No," Janvier moaned miserably.

"Oui!" Angelique said, pleased.

"No, no, no! You cheating little wench!" Janvier violently kicked the hourglass away and sent sand flying.

"I believe you mean 'respectable ship captain,' cheri. Now, say the words."

"I won't."

"Say them or I'll tell everyone from here to Tortuga—"

"Fine!" Janvier huffed. "The Dorado … is yours."

"Hahaha!" Angelique twirled in place and removed her hat in a flamboyant caricature of a bow. She then looked over at the rest of us. "Make whatever preparations you need, amis. We depart at dusk!"

As the group dispersed to get ready for the voyage, Benjamin and Jacorel remained behind me.

"I guess we're gonna be a pirate crew. Can't say I'm complaining!"

"If everything works out, maybe we'll find the others sooner this way," I said hopefully.

Jacorel placed a hand on my shoulder. "Bella, you have my deepest gratitude for solving this conflict peaceably. I'll make sure my scouts know where we're headed."

Benjamin looked toward the sun, already nearing the shining horizon. "Gonna be another beautiful sunset," he said and then gasped as he remembered something. "Ohmygod, Bella … have you been up onto the hills yet? Jacorel showed me this spot where you can see for miles out to sea." He pointed to a secluded hilltop, thickly covered in soft, swaying grass.

Jacorel nodded. "A very special place, that. The view of the sunset from there is … inspiring."

"You should totally go up there while we've got a couple of hours to kill," Benjamin suggested.

Jacorel glanced at Edward where he was sitting in a different part of the cove and then back at me with a small smirk. "It's a good place to fall in love."

I laughed at them. "Wow. Matchmakers much, guys?" I looked at Edward over my shoulder. "You should save your advice for someone who needs it." I turned back to them and they were both smiling. "But I don't think a few hours of privacy will hurt much, either."

I left the guys and walked over to Edward. I slipped behind him and wrapped my arms around him, nuzzling my lips against his neck.

He grinned in response. "Hello to you, too, Princess."

"So," I started suggestively. "There's this secluded hilltop over there and a gorgeous sunset. I was wondering if you wanted to join me."

"Is, uh, clothing optional?" he asked teasingly.

"It could be," I replied and smiled.

Edward tilted his head to brush his lips inches from mine. "After you."

I took his hand in mine, and together we made our way up the hill.

As we approached a sharp incline, Edward leaped deftly before offering me his hand with a playful smile. "Remember the last time we went hiking together?" he asked.

I laughed softly. "That feels like forever ago," I said as I remembered our small hiking trip when we searched for the Emergency Shelter our second day on the island.

Edward laughed with me. "Time's so weird on this island, maybe it was."

"I'm glad there's no rock climbing on this one, though. I have a feeling we'll need our energy for the top," I said and pulled myself up by Edward's grip and shot him a wink, which caused him to grin at me.

We finally reached the top, and I immediately went breathless.

"Oh my god..." I breathed out.

The sky, an endless palette of pastel pink, orange, and purple, swirled dramatically around the sinking sun. The sea glistened in the bath of light, the water a dark and sultry contrast to the colors reflected on its surface.

"I've never seen something more beautiful in my life," I gasped.

"I was just thinking the same thing."

I turned to look at Edward and realized he'd been staring at me the whole time. He stepped a little closer and watched how the sunset reflected in my eyes.

"I'd look better kissing you," I told him. "I mean, you've seen yourself, right?"

Edward's smile widened and he stepped a bit closer. "What's a pair of good-looking people on a romantic sunlit cliff to do?"

I shrugged. "I have a few ideas." I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips to his.

He kissed me back eagerly, his hands slipping around my waist to explore my body, and his lips quickly filled with urgency as his arms pulled me close. "I was so fucking scared when you fell," he breathed out and slowly began to trail kisses down my face and neck.

"Edward..." I moaned.

"I'm still scared," he confessed and his hands on me tightened. "Even though I'm holding you, a part of me still thinks this a dream, and that you're actually dead." He pulled back to lean his forehead against mine. His hands tugged gently at the hem of my shirt. "Princess, do you want to...?"

I nodded and swallowed. "Yes. Right now."

"Good." With his arms wrapped around me, Edward tumbled to the grass and pulled me down with him.

With our bodies pressed together, I pulled the clothes off of him as fast as my hands could move.

He removed my shirt quickly and our bare chests pressed against each other. My hands started to fumble with his belt.

"In a rush there, Princess?" he asked with a wide smile as he tried to bring the humor back.

I raised my brow. "Are you asking me to slow down?"

"Not at all."

We lay down together and stretched in the sunlight as a sea breeze wafted over us. When I straddled him and looked down, I found Edward transfixed. The sherbet colors of the sinking sun had painted themselves across each and every curve of us.

I smiled and saw his expression melt in response.

"Bella..." Edward's hands ran over my hips and he stared up at me as I began to move over him.

As we found our rhythm together, I felt my body tense with pleasure. Edward's eyes rolled back as he lost himself in the sensations.

"Oh, Bella..." He rolled on top of me, my legs wrapped around his waist, and he moved faster against me.

The darkening orange glow highlighted his chiseled figure as we moved together, and my fists gripped the grass below us tightly.

"Don't stop!" I panted. "Don't—ahhh!"

Our bodies quivered together and our cries echoed down the cliff face and out to the sea.

Satisfied and sweaty, Edward rolled off and nuzzled close to me on the grass. As I caught my breath, a breeze blew by and caused me to shiver a little.

Edward smiled faintly, grabbed his jacket, and wrapped it around me like a blanket.

"So, how 'bout that sunset, huh?" I said jokingly since we had almost missed the entire thing.

"It's pretty great, Princess," he said and kissed my neck. "But it's great because I get to share it with you."

"What can I say? I have a great co-pilot. Really makes a difference," I said, but at the word 'copilot,' Edward's gaze became distant, and he seemed to look through me rather than at me. "Edward? You okay?" I asked, my smile faltering.

"We should, uh … we should go back," he said without looking me in the eyes.

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

"Don't wanna climb down in the dark, right?" He started to get up, but I caught his arm in my hand.

"Edward, hold on. Talk to me! You're not telling me what's wrong."

He cracked his neck. "Nope. Was hoping to avoid that."

I tried to make him look at me. "Don't you trust me? What's going on?"

"You're really not the person to talk about trust, Princess," he said harshly, and I flinched.

I'd thought we had moved on after my confession at the swamp, but I had apparently thought wrong, and so I nodded silently and started to get dressed without arguing further.

His words had undeniably hurt, but he wasn't wrong in his feelings.

Edward looked at me, and at first, his expression was glazed over, but then pain and guilt cracked through. "Dammit, I'm sorry, Princess. I didn't mean that, but it's just that I'm not good to my co-pilots, alright?"

I had only gotten my pants and bra on at that point, but I let my shirt fall to the ground, and immediately sat down next to Edward again, but I didn't say anything. I let him take the lead.

He exhaled shakily. "Everyone I care about's been hurt because of me. Whether I run or fight, something happens, and I..." He trailed off as his eyes searched the violet horizon as if it had the answers he desperately needed. "I love you so much, Bella. I want to give you the best life I can. But when I think of everything I've had to do to survive the last few years, I just—" He pulled his arms up and his hands fidgeted in his hair nervously. "You don't deserve to deal with that. To deal with me."

His head sunk to stare at his feet, his expression despondent.

"Hey," I said. "I think I get to decide what I deserve."

Edward's eyes snapped up at me but remained unsure.

"We've been through more together than anyone else in this world could understand," I continued. "By all accounts, we should be dead, insane, or both. But whenever things got tough, you were there. When I didn't know what to do, you did." I grabbed his hand in mine like we always did when we needed each other's strength. "Given all we're facing, I can't think of anyone else I'd want to have by my side right now."

After a long silence, a small but genuine smile curved on Edward's lips. His arms pulled me close and he kissed me deeply, his hands slowly massaging my waist. "You're something else, you know that?"

"I try."

The sun, having finally disappeared behind the horizon, had quickly given way to night.

"We should probably join the others. We'll be leaving for the ship soon," I said, and Edward agreed.

"Yeah, don't want Blondbeard getting his panties in a twist."

We started to walk down together, but then Edward paused. "Hey, Bella … Thanks. I mean it."

I smiled gently. "Anytime, Edward. I mean it."

As night fell and the moon came into view, all of us made our way onto a pair of rowboats bound for the galleon anchored in the harbor.

I looked back toward the marketplace, and I saw a large crowd around Emry's stall. I couldn't hear what was being said, but the customers looked very excited.

"Looks like he's getting more business than he bargained for," I said, chuckling.

After reaching the ship and climbing a ladder, we found ourselves on an ornately appointed deck.

"Welcome aboard, amis! The Dorado, she is quite yar, non?" Angelique welcomed us.

I glanced around and saw no sign of other crew. "It's just us?"

Angelique nodded. "Just us and la femme mysterieuse."

"Huh?"

"She means the witch," Janvier said and pointed toward the prow of the ship, and that was when I saw her, and her fiery red hair blowing in the wind.

"Victoria?"

A/N:

Victoria? Is it really Victoria … or the spirit in Victoria's body? :-O

Lots of things happened in this chapter. We found Kate, Emmett, Benjamin and Jacorel! Yay!

We got introduced to the famous Janvier that Angelique hates so much and we won a ship!

A sweet moment between Edward and Bella that revealed his uncertainty and fear that something will happen with her because of him. She reassured him to the best of her abilites, though.

Let me know what you thought of this, please! You know how much I love your thoughts and musings!

Until next time,

Stay Awesome!