Eye of the Storm

1 Chapter VI



The moment they were in the cabin, Phoebe turned on Prue with fire in her eyes. "How dare you try to direct my life? I think that I am old enough to decide for myself!" Prue took a deep breath, as she always had problems with her temper.

"First, Phoebe, I have no intention of directing your life. I simply do not want you to get involve under false pretenses."

This did not do anything to calm her little sister down, as she started walking and talking fast at the same time.

"You were always like this, pretending that you're not controlling when it is obvious to everyone else. Why couldn't you trust me for once in your life?"

Prue tried very hard not to get angry:

"Phoebe, please…"

"Don't Phoebe please me. You humiliated me out there. Made me look like a little girl, the way you want me to remain forever. Well I have news for you! I am not a little girl anymore!"

Piper saw her older sister getting increasingly upset, and she thought that she should intervene. "Phoebe, you don't know what we have learned about the Captain. If you did, maybe you would understand."

Phoebe turned toward her. "I know enough. He is not as bad as we thought, of that, I am certain now. He helped me when he had no obligation at all."

Piper gave Phoebe such an appalled look that she suddenly wondered what else they might have learned, in spite of her resolve about Cole.

"Phoebe, I know that you want to believe the best about him, and I can understand this. I may even think that you could be right about him. Yet, what Mr. McKail told us of him…" Phoebe interrupted: "What?"

Piper turned to Prue, seemingly unable to finish the explanation.

Prue, always the one to go to the point, bluntly told her what was on their minds.

"Phoebe, it's very much possible that he did not help you out of the goodness of his heart, if he even has one…"

Phoebe grunted then, ready to pounce again. However Prue was quicker:

"He may have done this because he wanted to take advantage of you…"

Phoebe's eyes grew wider, as she was now staring incredulously at her sister:

"What on earth makes you think that he would do that? This is ridiculous…"

As she was saying this however, she wondered, remembering his action of the morning. Then, he had been less than sweet about his advances. Even brutal… "Could it be," she asked herself, all along trying not to let her sisters see her doubts.

Prue was still talking, but she only heard part of what she was saying. She was telling her of a philandering man, who had a propensity toward women, usually of a less than stellar background. The little she let in hurt her still. Nevertheless, she did not want them to see it. Maybe because of the way she felt about him. She thought painfully that if this were true, then he had played her very well, abusing her feelings in the worst possible way.

"Stop right there. I don't want to hear this filth anymore. You're only reporting gossips."

Prue sighed heavily. "At least, give yourself some time, please? Maybe we're wrong… but even if we were, what would it hurt to wait a little? If he is the gentleman that you believe him to be, he'll wait as well…"

From her tone of voice, Phoebe knew that she did not believe he would prove her wrong. Phoebe looked at them all in turn with an air of uncertainty, and then, unable to sustain what she felt as pity, she turned toward the alcove and left them without another word.

There, away from their concerned looks, she took a few deep breaths, and sat on the small chair, observing her charges distractedly. The young girl was asleep, while the older woman way lying on one of the cots that someone, either her sisters or Mr. Mckail, had brought in, which made the little alcove seem even smaller. For her part, Phoebe could not bring herself to lie down now. She feared the idle thoughts that would come if she put her head on the pillow. Instead, she picked up a book, trying in vain to read and relax. After a while though, she realized that this was no use. She had even been tempted to throw caution to the wind and to go back to him.

But now, after a few moments of reflection, she began to see the reasoning behind her sisters' advice, even though, she did not want to believe the worst.

She put her fingers to her lips, remembering full well the passion of his kisses, and she sighed heavily, wishing now that she had the gift of reading minds. She had been so certain that he felt as strongly about her as she did about him. Why did it have to be so complicated, she asked herself again, even as the fatigue of the day got the better of her, and she fell asleep sitting on the chair…

Cole was still leaning on the rail, lost in somber thoughts. Many times in the last half-hour, he had been tempted to go back to the cabin and assure her of his feelings for her. Yet, every time, he wondered himself about what he would say. He knew only that he had to be with her, but he did not know exactly why. There had never been any true love in his life. Not really… He had no way of defining the way he felt, let alone tell her. He had vaguely hoped that she would come back. However now, he had to accept that she would not. The pain that it caused him was almost unbearable. He hated this, this feeling of abandonment, of loss.

He wanted to be reasonable about it, and just tell himself that she would be there tomorrow, yet he could not help doubting. It had been so difficult to even convince her that he was not the monster she believed him to be. Although, in all honesty, he had to admit that he had acted in this manner for her and not for the slave. Somehow, this admission made him uncomfortable, and he decided to return to his cabin, cutting short his train of thoughts. As he was turning toward the bridge, he once more bumped into his first officer. Only then did he realize that he had neglected his duties. Considering the day that they had, it was almost unforgivable.

Mr. Wyatt seemed slightly annoyed and embarrassed at meeting him there, but Cole had no intention of either talking to him or even acknowledging him. He simply passed him without a word, so caught up in his problems that he did not even worry about what the first officer would say if he found out about the slaves.

Leo hesitated, not because he cared much about what the captain would say anymore, but rather because he had not kept his promise and wondered if Piper would be angry with him. All evening, he had wanted to go back and help them, but the events of the day had worried many of the men, demanding for him and the other officers to show a good front and stay at their post. He truly hoped that she would understand.

As he climbed the steps toward the cabin, this brought back the wondering about the Captain. By far, this one should have been the one on the bridge. Yet he had left without a word and was only now returning. Leo recognized the signs of a man in love all the more because he himself was falling in love, which was now obvious to him.

Only love could trouble a man so deeply, he knew. And from the look of Captain Turner, things were still not going well. Leo just hoped that his own brush with love would not be so painful. She answered at the first knock, obviously expecting someone. The smile on her face told him that she was glad to see him and he breathed deeply in relief. He had been holding his breath without realizing it, fearing a rejection.

"Mr. Wyatt," she said, with the sweet voice he was growing so fond of, "I did not think that I would see you again today…"

"I'm sorry, but I could not free myself until now…"

Piper smiled anew, a soft glow seemingly surrounding her in his eyes. He knew that it was all in his imagination but it did not matter. To him, she looked like an angel.

"May I come in," he then asked, when she did not invite him in immediately.

Her expression changed so suddenly that he wondered if he had dreamt the warm welcome. "Huh," she said, looking back inside anxiously, "maybe we could take a walk outside?"

He could sense that something was amiss, but he did not want to upset her with an inquiry. Therefore, and in spite of his now intense curiosity, he agreed to the promenade. She only went back in for a moment to get a warmer vest according to her, but she still closed the door on him before going in, which reinforced his impression that something was wrong.



"Piper, what are you going to tell him?"

Prue was watching her younger sister with slight apprehension.

"I don't know yet… but if the Captain agreed to let us take care of this girl, I really think that Mr. Wyatt will be most understanding himself…" Prue frowned.

"Remember what Phoebe told us on the way here; Captain Turner made her promise not to tell a soul…" Piper sighed heavily.

"Prue, I will have to tell him at some point. Or he will find out on his own…"

"And why is that?" Prue asked, even though she knew the answer. Sometimes Piper thought that she just enjoyed seeing her sisters squirm under her scrutiny, or even making them angry…

"If you must know," she replied curtly, "I intend to see this man more in the future, and he is bound to come in here."

Prue seemed amused by her sister's admission, which confirmed Piper's impression.

"You do?" "Oh shut up, you know perfectly well."

Paul found the exchange rather amusing himself, even while trying to be as discreet about it as he could. Still, Piper noticed his little smile and she shrugged with embarrassment. She then turned around and quickly went out the door.

Prue still had the little mocking smile on when she turned toward him, but it quickly vanished, reminding him that their problem was far from resolved. When she said nothing, he spoke. "You were trying to tell me something earlier? When we were so rudely interrupted…"

"Huh, yes." Prue looked away, unsure if her feelings on the matter had not changed once more. At the moment, she wanted nothing more than for him to take her in his arms and tell her that he wanted her, that he loved her. Yet, he was staying away, and the few glances she risked his way told her that he was waiting anxiously for her to talk.

She cleared her throat, and then turned toward him with more apparent resolve than she felt inside. "I was telling you that I overreacted. I mean, I should've been more reasonable about all of this. You were right of course."

Somehow, Paul had not expected her to cave so easily. It hurt to think that maybe she was not as inclined toward him as he had believed. However, he berated himself for even thinking this. It was not fair to her. After all, he was the one putting an obstacle to their relationship. God, he wanted so much for things to be different, he thought, as he was watching her. That is when he noticed that she wouldn't look at him.

He had been so absorbed by his own disappointment that he had not realized how difficult it must have been for her. Her lips were pinched in an obvious effort to contain her emotions, and it gave him the urge to wrap his arms around her, to stop her pain, as well as his own. He had to look away, the need for her being now almost irresistible.

The silence was becoming thick with all sorts of meanings, and it rendered both of them uncomfortable. At this point, he thought better to leave while he still could.

Getting up, he told her, while moving toward the door: "I just want to assure you again how much I wish that I was free. I'm sorry."

He could not look at her. She almost let him go without a word. However, as he had his hand on the doorknob, she called back.

"If…" She began, stopping him in his track. "If you were free…"

She licked her lips, somehow unsure if she should really ask this.

"Would you…" The words again stayed in her throat. But this time he answered.

"With all my heart, Prue."

He hesitated a moment longer, then he went out, while she stared at the door, wondering which would have been worse: that he did not care about her that much or that he did…

Piper looked up her head at the sudden flicker of light coming from their cabin. She was surprised to see Paul coming out of there so soon after her departure. Something was definitely up with those two…

She watched him distractedly heading for his quarters, and then she turned back to Leo, who was observing her as well. She was very uncomfortable at keeping something from him. Without knowing exactly why, she felt that she should have been able to share everything with Leo. She was certain that he was a good man and that he would understand. Yet, every time she was about to tell, she was reminded of the promise Phoebe got out of them. It annoyed her terribly. What was more, she could read his expression, and knew that he was aware of her dissimulation. She had never been a good liar, and today was definitely not an exception. Piper expected him to start questioning her at any moment. Yet, in spite of his obvious curiosity, he didn't ask for anything.

Leo had led her almost to the very same spot where the Captain had stood only minutes earlier. There, they both had stayed silent, just happy to be together. He could not get enough of watching her lovely features, feeling very lucky that such a beautiful creature would want to be with him, even if only for tonight. Of course, he had hopes that it would last much longer…

"Do you think that we're safe now," Piper asked suddenly.

Leo liked the nice and safe conversation. He had tried to figure out what to say for the last few minutes. "I would say so. Of course, we still have a month of travel ahead of us… But you should not worry yourself," he added quickly, seeing her becoming anxious again. "What you have been through doesn't happen to everyone."

Piper uttered a derisive laughter and said with definite sarcasm:

"Yeah, I suppose that it's luck…"

"I am so sorry that you had to suffer all of this," he replied sincerely.

"It was not your fault," she answered quickly, turning back toward him.

"In fact, I…"

"Yes?"

She smiled sweetly, trying to find the words.

"In spite of all the pain, there was a silver lining to what happened."

It was not so much the words but the way she said them that told him how she truly felt. He lifted a hesitant hand toward her and caressed her cheek lightly. For a moment, he thought that she would move away from him, but instead, after some hesitation, she turned her face up to him, inviting him.

His lips brushed against hers, as he was almost trembling from the restraint. He wanted her so much, but he was afraid to lose this wonderful moment if he let himself act upon his desire.

However, she soon responded, telling him that she had been waiting for this. He felt her hand, now on the back of his head, pulling him toward her, urging him. Piper was amazed at the intensity of her reaction, as her lips parted of their own accord, and he wrapped his arms around her, molding her against his firm body. She had never felt such intimacy, such need. Even as she was blushing at her own desires, there was nothing that would have made her pull away from him. There, in his arms, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was meant to be. She felt warm all over in spite of the late hour and the breeze. They were so close that she could feel his racing heart, beating in time with hers. At last, his lips left hers and came to rest on her forehead. She kept her eyes closed, bathing in the wonderful sensation still.

"Miss Halliwell," he whispered with a tremor to his voice, "I…I know that it will sound forward, but I can't help it, I think that I am falling in love with you, with all my heart," he blurted out, surprising even himself. Her heart jumped for joy at hearing this. Until that moment, she had not dared hope that there was more to this then a strong attraction. Her response was immediate.

"So do I," she answered softly.

She felt him relax against her, while at the same time tightening his hold on her, and could not help but think that this moment was the most significant of her entire existence. From then on, she knew, she would do anything to be with him forever…

Meanwhile, Prue had been pacing the room, unable to find peace. Her need for Paul was growing rather than not. Maybe even because of the apparent impossibility of the relationship, she reflected. She had always been one to take up challenges. But here, there was more to it than this. From the moment she had laid eyes on him, she had felt a deep connection to him. Even though, it went against everything that she believed in, she knew that for all intent and purposes, it had been love at first sight. Now, more than ever, she was convinced of this, given his response.

More than once, she walked to the door and then turned around, uncertain. The last time that she did, she went out, unable to resist the impulse anymore…

Outside, she stopped only a moment, somewhat distinguishing her sister and the first officer in an embrace that only exacerbated her feelings. She turned resolutely away from them and started walking toward the hatch to the lower deck. At the bottom of the stairs, she was amazed to find him, obviously on his way back. For a long moment, they looked into each other's eyes without the need for any word.

Then he suddenly moved toward her, picking her up almost effortlessly. His lips already searching for hers… He carried her away, but she had no idea for how long or where, as all she could see or feel was he. It was as she had imagined and more. She could lose herself in the sensation, his arms around her a nest for her. Only when she felt herself being lowered did she open her eyes and blinked in the semi-darkness. He was looking down at her with such intensity mixed with slight doubt that she melted. For an instant, she thought that he would leave her there, as she sensed his fears. This time, however, she could not let him go. She pulled him to her almost rudely, wanting to feel him against her. As much as he had hesitated, his kiss was no less wanting and passionate than her response. Once more, she lost herself in the moment, only feeling his burning touch on her. His hand slid down her throat, and pulled at her blouse impatiently. Soon, he managed to expose her breast and he began caressing them at first lightly, as if he waited for her to encourage him. The surprise made her jump at the first touch, but she soon arched herself toward him, reveling in the sensation. Emboldened by this, she herself started pulling on his shirt, soon able to feel his naked chest against hers. If her desire had been intense before, it was nothing in comparison to what she felt now. His lips left hers only to slide down her throat, hungrily tasting inches by inches until he lingered on her breast, while his hands seemed all over her. Soon he had undressed her, getting more impatient as he felt her excitement mounting. When he finally reached inside of her, the whole world went away, as all she could feel was the intense oneness that she had hoped for but hardly believed possible. Not once during this whole time did she question the rightfulness of her choice. It was a perfect moment, one that she would remember forever, and although she wished that it would last that long, she knew that she had found love, if only for now.

After this day of misery, she felt safer in his arms than ever in her entire life. Long afterward, they held each other in silence, both of them knowing that they only wanted to prolong this moment for as long as it could last.

Only once did he talk, as they were lying in the cramped closet that he had chosen as their love nest. Lowering his eyes almost shyly, he whispered:

"I hope that you won't regret this…"

She gave him an amused smile.

"It's a little late to worry about this, isn't it?"

Then, she became more serious. She caressed his face lightly, and then forced him to look back at her. "No matter what happens next, know that I wanted this even more than you did…"

He could not help a little lusty smile, before adding suggestively:

"I doubt that very much…" Gone was the shyness, as he pulled her to him and kissed her with as much enthusiasm as the first time…

Piper entered the cabin still glowing of Leo's attentions, the only cloud to her happiness the fact that she had not yet told him about Li. She would have gladly stayed out longer, but thought more reasonable to wait, as things were quickly warming up between them. At first, she did not notice anything, but then she looked around and realized that Prue was nowhere to be found. She even went to look into Phoebe's alcove and almost woke this one up when she found her asleep on the chair. However, she thought better of it, knowing that her little sister was very emotional right now, and that if she had found sleep, it was better not to disturb her. She came back in the middle of the room, perplexed. But then, she understood what must have happened with a little shock. It did not last long however, as she knew her sister well, and that her passions were very strong. She sighed and hoped that Prue was not making a big mistake, before she finally headed to bed…

The first few days, Cole has been increasingly worried, then frankly upset. He had gone to them once, only to be turned down somewhat rudely by Phoebe's older sister. She had opened the door with a large smile that he knew was not meant for him. Then, seeing Cole there, the smile had quickly vanished, replaced by a very severe expression. He hardly had time to place a word before she told him that he was not to come there until Phoebe asked for him.

Ever since, he had tried to be patient, but patience had never been one of his strongest virtues. Still, he did not know how to get back to that beautiful moment with her, as he came to see it more as manipulation than anything else. She had not showed up in more than a week, and by then, he had convinced himself that she had only been using him and his feelings. Granted, he had to admit that her cause might have been just, but that did not make him feel any better. He had always thought of women as manipulative and selfish. And while he had believed her to be different, his opinion was rapidly changing on the subject. Until now, he had never cared for any of them however, using them, as he believed they were using him. The difference was obviously that now he cared, a lot.

It did not help to watch his first officer showing all the signs of happiness, even when he was hard on him. Nothing seemed to make a dent in the man's mood. At one point, he even felt an odd remorse at the way he treated Leo, but even this added to his anger, as he was convinced that the strange feelings were all her doing. This is why when she did come to Cole his attitude had changed radically toward her.