The creaking of the Tinkertub comforted her with familiarity. The gentle rocking reassured her, soothing her frustration. She was in her space, and nobody else had to share it with her. No more annoying, loud, short not-genie. Well. She had her Half-Genie status back now, but that wasn't the point.

On the deck, Risky watched the sun slowly sink into the ocean, turning the sky beautiful shades of yellow, orange, and red. The odd seagull squawked out over the boat, and the smell of salt embedded itself into her nostrils, welcoming her home.

She groaned loudly again for what seemed like the millionth time. Why did she even do what she did? 'Stupid, good-for-nothing, reckless runt.' But every time Risky thought these words, generally along those lines, and often with far more profanity, she replied to herself with 'But she did it for you. She didn't hold anything against you. Not your outbursts at her, not for being the reason that she lost her magic in the first place, and not for the bathtub trick.' Risky smirked a little at the last one. What idiot didn't notice a random bathtub they never owned until they were forty seconds into a bath?

'Her.'

Risky groaned, probably for the billionth time.

"Risky! I thought I'd find you here!"

'Why are you here, runt!? Can't you see that I'm BUSY?!' the pirate thought. She had made up her mind last night. It was all that damn genie's fault, because she's stupid, careless, and idiotic. 'No she's not, stop lying to yourself. You wanted to see her just as much, didn't you?' was the response. Risky growled internally. Maybe she hadn't made up her mind. She did enjoy that kiss. And the runt did respond to it.

Risky turned to face Shantae for the first time since the kiss that was definitely started by the genie and not by her in a moment of… weakness? Or was it her way of thanking Shantae for what she did? It definitely wasn't because of that time on the Tinkertub where they opened up to each other, nor was it the fact that Shantae was, indeed, beautiful and kind-hearted. Not at all.

Totally.

"Looks like your Tinkerbats are back to normal," the comment ringing through Risky's brain. Right. Composure, check. Trademark smirk, check. Witty response…

"They've got a lot of work to do." Not check.

"The Tinkertub will need some serious upgrades before I launch my next attack," Risky continued. Nothing was wrong with them being at least somewhat friendly, right? That means being truthful every once in a while.

The half-genie giggled, knowing Risky was kidding… "Right?"

Already fed up, the pirate completely forgot about the conflicts in her mind and subconsciously fell into an automatic annoyed mood.

"Why are you here? Still trying to convince me to become a goodie goodie like you?" That's right. Why exactly was she here, besides obviously asking Risky to join the good side. No other explanation.

"I was just hoping to ask you something…" Of course you were, genie. Of course. Risky didn't say anything, prompting Shantae to continue on.

"How did you know the Dark Magic would change?" Ah. Well that wasn't the question she was so ready to answer back sarcastically. Might as well be nice. And honest.

"Oh, that. I didn't know, it was just a hunch. I figured if I gave you the lamp, you would put it to good use, and when I heard about the dreams, I figured the magic must be yours," Risky answered.

"But you knew I wouldn't destroy it. Somehow you knew it would change," Shantae prodded, obviously wanting a better explanation than that.

"How could it not?" Risky retorted. "With you sailing the seven seas doing good deeds for every hard luck case? I make it point to know my enemies. I knew that the Pirate Master would make a grab for the Dark Magic, and I knew you would do the opposite of common sense and hand it over," Risky finished with a smirk, knowing for a fact it would set the runt off.

"Well, yeah! To save you!" Shantae quipped, her friendly face turning more into a frown.

"Exactly," said Risky, getting tired of the genie's presence. Shantae looked a little hurt though, as if that comment actually meant something to her. Whatever. Risky wanted to get off the island, ordering her men to ship out.

"That doomsday device won't build itself!" She yelled at her Tinkerbats, watching them load up the ship with the last few resources. Turning back to Shantae, the pirate noted how she looked a little down. 'Was it really that mean? I swear I've called her ruder things before. I can't leave her like this,' Risky thought, before catching herself. She can't leave her like this? What? She usually wouldn't hesitate to leave the runt in a bad mood; she could go cry to that blonde weight she's friends with. What was her name, Spree? Star? Ah, Sky, that was it. She could go back and cry to Sky. Whatever.

"Watch your back, runt," Risky warned, glaring at the short woman in her way.

"You too," Shantae spat back, her eyes a little seemingly wet. Stupid, emotional girl. She probably cries when she breaks a plate,' Risky thought, pushing past Shantae, nearly making the genie lose her balance. 'Is that really how you're going to leave her? After all she's done for you?' Risky groaned silently. Not this again. 'Of course I am, I've done it many times before. I did it after… that. Why shouldn't I do it this time?'

'You know exactly why,' was the answer, and Risky stopped in her tracks. Okay, maybe she was a bit mean with that comment, knowing now how Shantae felt thanks to how she responded to that kiss.

That Risky started.

That Risky wanted.

That Risky would do all over again.

"One more thing," she began, before she realized what she was saying. Maybe she could leave Shantae on a better note this time. Before she inevitably threw their relationship away with the next attack that she was already planning.

"Huh?" Shantae turned, wiping her eyes. Yes, leave her with some good news. The poor girl had nearly killed herself just for Risky. She deserved it, just this once.

"Your mother…" Shantae had her full attention devoted to her now. "You're just like her. Only shorter. And more annoying," the pirate said, unable to help herself and insulting Shantae a little.

"Risky!" Shantae giggled, her smile back at full beam, and her blue eyes sparkled once again. Risky could only smile, a genuine one, at Shantae's complete mood switch. The butterflies in Risky's stomach started to make themselves known.

"Smooth sailing!" Shantae wished upon the red-eyed woman. Risky could only nod, before quickly turning away and climbing onto her boat, afraid that if she spoke she would blurt everything out in a sappy confession.

She did have a reputation to keep, after all.

Yeah, I know, that was a tad more than 'a few weeks.' School's been bogging me down. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter!

I know I'm kinda literally writing out the game script right now, but I promise that will change. I decided to edit them slightly to fit with where I want to go with the story, but I'm not sure if I'm making Risky or Shantae a little out of character because of that. Oh well, time (and feedback) will tell. Feel free to rate and review, and feedback will be taken into consideration!

P.S. I still haven't played Risky's Revenge or HGH. I should probably get to that.