This chapter fills in a scene I wish was included between Frank being turned to stone, to him returning to the land of the living…

It switches from Frank's perspective, then back to Lily's.

I hope you enjoy!

Soundtrack suggestion: Track 26 - I want you to rest now

Chapter 2: Rest or Rise to the Occasion

Francisco…

A voice… it was not clear who was calling, but his name echoed in the dark. It was so dark. Why couldn't he see anything?

Francisco!

Flashes of light cut through the ink and bursts of sounds filled Frank's head. Frank squinted, and raised his hand over his eyes. My hands! They're free of the stone! Frank became aware of being able to move his body again. His arms and legs free from the vines. Confusion set in - where was he? Was he dead? Alive?

There was no pain. The darkness gave way to candlelight.

An image of Aguirre as he was 400 years ago kneeling at his daughter's bedside.

"Encontraré las lágrimas de la luna… Sé valiente mi dulce Anna…" I will find the tears of the moon…Be brave my sweet Anna. Aguirre wept at her bedside. Francisco looked on, pained for his brother.

A crackling pop sounded behind him. He spun around quickly towards the sound. Another memory…? He was somewhere else now…

A campfire was burning at the village of the Puka Michuna. He saw himself with what remained of the conquistadores. They were happy, healthy and grateful to be alive - the chief and the daughter of the tribe having healed them with the pedals of their sacred tree. He felt content. Safe.

The feeling did not last…fear filled his heart.

The fire grew, and suddenly what was only a small flame was now a raging inferno engulfing the entire village. Screams from the children and others of the tribe pierced his ears. Chaos surrounded them, and he felt powerless. He watched Aguirre mercilessly attack the chief and then go after his daughter in desperation, seeking the arrowhead. His blade held high, ready to kill.

Unsure if this was real or not, Frank lunged forward, tackling Aguirre to the ground. Struggling to rip the sword from his grasp and to keep the girl safe, he sacrificed his own body to stop Aguirre's assault. But when he pushed away from the man he wrestled with, he held only a snake - hissing and dripping venom from its fangs. Frank's eyes widened in shock -

SNAP! The snake lunged towards his face, and Frank braced for its bite. Instead he felt the sharp sting of a blade pierce his skin, and into his heart. Frank shouted in pain, clutching his chest, feeling for his wound to stop the bleeding.

Please no, stop…stop this! STOP! His heartbeat was pounding in his ears, this is a fate worse than death…

Suddenly there was a blinding light and the scene before him dissolved away like the ash from a fire.

The light.

It felt warm… and strong, and it surrounded him like the current of the river he was so familiar with. Frank pawed at his chest, desperate to pull the plane from his heart, but the blade was no longer there…his hands no longer covered in blood. The light grew brighter still. Frank squinted as the glow began to settle across the horizon, leaving a beautiful pink hue over the trees of the jungle he now found himself in.

He felt lifted - and when he opened his eyes, the chief of the tribe was standing before him.

Frank blurted, "I thought you were dead." His words came out in a rush; still feeling panicked about having been stabbed. Again. He calmed himself, and held the eyes of the man before him.

The chief blinked at him, and smiled. "You do not know death."

"Nope. Thanks to you." Frank said matter of factly. He knew the words came out a bit sharper than he intended, but he wanted to make a point.

"And thanks to you…My daughter lived." The chief's eyes brightened, and he motioned for Frank to sit on a rock next to him.

Frank hesitated, but took the invitation to sit.

"Where am I?" Frank asked. Unsure if he was ready to hear the answer.

The chief snorted. "The place where you have always been."

Was he being funny? Frank wasn't sure.

Frank sighed, "Well, if I'm not dead…and I'm not alive…that means I am just, in the middle?" He gestured awkwardly with his hands, trying to symbolize the middle of something.

The moment he decided he was going to block the river, Frank knew it could mean he was dooming himself to an eternity of uncertainty, maybe torture, death, something…But he knew it was the right choice. He had learned to care about someone other than himself again. After sacrificing himself for the safety of the chief's daughter - and learning he was cursed to live a life watching others he cared about die around him - he knew he had to distance himself from caring about others. He needed to shield himself from the heartache that four centuries of loss had burned into him.

Then along came this brave, strikingly-beautiful, frustratingly ambitious woman in pants…and well, the wall he had so carefully constructed around himself began to fall. Hard. And now she and her brother were safe. He'll sure miss those pants…

The chief cleared his throat, and Frank's attention snapped back to focus.

"No." The chief's voice was steady. Frank was taken aback at the suddenness of the word.

The chief continued, "No middle. You. Have. A. Choice." He finished, optimistically, emphasizing each word as he spoke.

Frank's eyes widened. Wait, I do? A choice? But I thought…Then the realization hit him all at once.

"Lily…" Frank breathed her name out. His shoulders relaxed, and he found himself shaking his head in disbelief. She sacrificed her petal for him. And it worked. Somehow she was able to give Frank his choice back. His choice that he was willing to sacrifice for her and MacGregor's safety. He felt a wave of emotion roll through him.

Happiness - that she would give up the one thing that had brought her out on this ridiculous expedition - for him. His grin widened.

Anger - damn infuriating woman! What is she doing sacrificing her petal when I, very bravely mind you, sacrificed myself first?! She just had to one up me! He huffed.

Fear - What if this doesn't work? What if I go back, and she regrets her choice? He frowned.

The chief, sensing Frank's trepidation on what to do, laid his hand gently on his shoulder. It was comforting, and the tension in Frank's body eased at the touch. He looked up at the elder man.

The chief smiled knowingly. "You know what to do."

Frank raised his head to the pink hue in the sky and laughed heartily. "Yeah…I do." A grin spread across his face and all at once he was being pulled into the sky. Instead of feeling the fear and dread of the jungle's vines, he felt free and spirited .. a sensation of joy and hope engulfed him. The light in the sky began to get brighter and brighter …once again, Frank squeezed his eyes shut - awaiting his fate.

xxxx

Lily's breath came in short bursts and when she finally reached the wreckage of the boat - it was only in enough time to see the final moment of her Skipper and the conquistadores become encased in solid stone.

She walked slowly, unbelievingly towards Frank's body-now an unmoving statue entombed by the jungle's vines. Her own body felt heavy, and her heart began to ache - for it was too late. Sadness overwhelmed her, and she felt a tremendous sense of loss.

Proxima's sad whimper only added to the ache, and the sting of tears felt even more painful.

MacGregor took in the scene before him. Disbelief and heartache began to set in. This was one situation Frank could not joke his way out of. The unbelievable sacrifice he just made brought tears to his eyes. Even more so, he knew that in this moment, his sister must be reeling by the sight of Frank's frozen body before them.

He watched as his sister made her way slowly up to their Skipper.

His face was still recognizable. His features strong and bold. The vines wrapped mercilessly around his body and face couldn't take that away from him. Even now, Frank's presence was felt.

Lily approached him slowly, her hands reaching out of their own accord to hold his face. The stone beneath her skin still felt warm, and the heartbreak of the moment gave way slightly to anger.

Frank…You damned fool.

Her eyes locked onto where his own brown eyes would be staring back at her.

Lily shook her head gently as she whispered, "Oh, you are the most infuriating man I've ever met." Her breath was ragged as emotion flooded her chest. The anger was unfounded - as it was rooted in fondness and yearning. A wish… if only. If only they had more time. Another lifetime to share perhaps.

The tips of her fingers stroked his stone cheeks affectionately. She took in his face, and his parted lips… and as her hands fell away from his face, she remembered the precious burden that lay in her pocket.

Just maybe…

Lily reached down and pulled the still bright pink flower from her trousers. It was beautiful. Somewhat like a pink Canna Lily she mused.

MacGregor, ever observant, watched as Lily produced the petal and called to her questioningly, "Lily…" Concern in his voice.

Lily, petal in hand, drew her eyes slowly back up to Frank's face, frozen in time. A tear escapes her lashes as she settles her gaze on his parted lips. A thought occurs to her. What if…

Her resolve hardening, Lily raised the life-giving petal and laid it gently in Frank's open mouth. Almost instantly the flower began to dissolve and it was pulled wistfully into his body. Moments passed, and Lily was unsure if anything happened.

Then she heard it. A crack formed across his bottom lip, and a deep exhale came from the center of Frank's stone body. She nearly felt his breath on her skin., and Lily knew. It worked. The curse was lifted.

A bittersweet smile came to her own lips, and for a moment her heart swelled with happiness for him. After 395 years, 5 months and 14 days…Frank was at rest.

Lily lifted her hand to caress his cheek one last time. Grief settling into the pit of her stomach. Then acceptance. She turned to look to her brother who stared at her lovingly. He offered her his hand and she took it appreciatively, as she stepped down from the stone above him.

Proxima mewled softly and her ears went back as Lily gently ran her hand affectionately across her head and down her neck. She stayed behind as the brother and sister began to make their way back across the cavern. She wanted to be with her master, her friend. She stayed ever vigilant; the best cat.

MacGregor has always been in awe of Lily's bravery and adventurous spirit. Her tenacity to walk headfirst into danger had given him the strength to stand up for his own beliefs and choices in life. Follow her into a volcano he would…It pained him knowing she was hurting now. It wasn't often he was able to feel protective of his sister - but right now he wished he could take away her pain.

MacGregor placed a comforting hand on Lily's shoulder as they made their way across the cave. The sound of their footsteps echoing along with the drips of the remaining water and the crackling of a small fire still burning from the boat's wreckage mixed into the air. He almost didn't hear Proxima's soft growl. What was that…? Was she calling them back? I swear I can understand that murder cat's meows now…

Lily heard it too. Thinking her own ears were deceiving her. She gave pause, and lifter her chin…Growwl….Proxima's growl became insistent, and Lily knew she had to turn back.

"Frank…" She whispered into the damp air; hope blossoming in her heart.

She retraced their steps quickly - turning the corner, she caught the sight of stone crumbling to the ground.

Not willing to take any chances, she broke into a run - pumping her arms and racing back as fast as her body would allow.

MacGregor felt the thrill of hope as well - his injured ankle screamed at him, but he didn't care - he trotted after Lily with the same hope she had. The sound of rock and tree limbs hitting the stone floor began to fill the air. He hobbled faster.

Lily ran.

The vines broke away from his body, and the stone began to turn to dust as warm, tanned flesh emerged…

She came to a hault suddenly. She's not sure why she stopped. Maybe she was afraid if she kept going it would all be a dream.

But when she saw him break through the last of the vines and his large body stumble forward, his eyes alight and searching for her, she knew it was real. "Frank!" she breathed, and began to run towards him again.

MacGregor fell behind, his own body betraying him - but as he leaned against a large stone wall to catch his breath, he happily watched as his sister raced towards Frank.

Frank's smile couldn't get any bigger. The moment he was able to break free of those jungle vines, he knew he need to see her. To look her in the eyes once more. He was greeted with the sight of Lily sprinting towards her in those pants he had come to admire and was slightly jealous of.

Lily ran bodily into Frank and was swooped up easily into his powerful embrace. Her own heart swelled knowing that he was here, alive, and still wearing that ridiculous hat.

He wrapped her up easily and when her strong arms went around his neck, he spun them both around joyfully - gratefully - and happily. Knowing they had all made it out alive.

When he finally set her down, he intended to look her over to ensure she was OK and not injured from her previous tree trapeze theatrics. But Lily had other intentions.

Lily's eyes went to find Franks, but a bright crimson color caught her eye, and her eyes went to his temple instead. She realized Frank was hurt. Her own instincts kicking in, assessing the situation, she grasped his head in her hands.

"Oh, you're bleeding…" She said, pressing her finger at the source of the blood.

Frank winced, "Oh -OW! That hurts!"

"It does? Oh -well, that's good!" Lily replied happily, feeling encouraged that Frank had somehow regained his humanity. The presence of blood, for once, a good sign.

His eyes went in and out of focus, but when he opened them again, it was Lily's face that drew him in. His fingers somehow made their way into Lily's hair at her neck, sending a shiver down her back.

Lily's hands had a mind of their own as she ran them across Frank's chest, chin and cheek. It was as if she needed additional proof that he was indeed real and in front of her. He was warm and when her hand came to rest upon his chest, she smiled at the feel of his heartbeat under palm.

Frank, smiling at her joy of seeing him alive, felt it was a good time to bring up something important.

"I can't believe you shot me." He blurted out, a playful smirk playing at the edge of his lips.

"I know…" Lily squirmed slightly.

"Twice." Frank emphasized. Enjoying her reaction.

"I know but you didn't go down the first time," Lily tried to explain, "…you should've just gone down…" She spoke quickly, feeling slightly anxious - but when she saw Frank's eyes go from mock seriousness to pure affection, she realized she needed to be closer to him than they already were. She pulled him towards her.

Frank dipped his head and with Lily's encouraging pull, their lips met swiftly and with a tenderness that surprised them both. Had his heart always beat this hard before? Frank's hand became tangled in Lily's hair as he eagerly pulled her closer to him.

Lily's strong hands swept gently across Frank's cheek. The rough stubble a welcome feeling on her lips and against her skin. Her own heart still racing at the pure emotion of these last few minutes. Well, this feeling is...new... She felt a bit dizzy.

The tender moment didn't last nearly as long as either of them had wished, as MacGregor's goofy grin appeared in front of them. His own face filled with joy and happy tears.

"You're BOTH my world!" He blurted, and launched himself at Frank, squeezing him with all of his might. Frank's own heart felt fuller, and he laughed at the absurdity of it all.

Frank's laugh rumbled in his chest as he patted MacGregor on his head and pulled him into a hug. MacGregor pulled Lily closer, as she wrapped her arm around her brother, and the three of them found themselves in a loving embrace.

Not wanting to be left out, Proxima chuffed happily, and lifted herself onto her back legs to reach her Frank, giving him a loving lick across his face and neck. Frank laughed again, and strengthened his hold on each of them.

The heaviness of the past few days began to lift, and in this moment, each of them knew that fate lead them here, together. Thoughts of curses, ancient trees, or river boats were nowhere in their thoughts.

As the moonlight shifted across the open skylight of the cave, Frank's attention was pulled to the direction of beams of light. He stilled, and Lily noticed. She followed his eyes, and noticed his attention was fixated above their heads. When her eyes found what he saw, she couldn't help but gasp…

Lily whispered in disbelief, " OH. MY. GOSH."