Disclaimer: I only own the person that I made up. nothing else.

Chapter 3hree

1

Skyler sat in his room, going through the report over and over again. Not once was it mentioned that a girl named Rebecca and another, he still hasn't found out her name, was going to be with her.

"God damn it," He swore loudly feeling angry at the lack of information he was given, "Could've at least filled me in a little more that this!"

With that Skyler rose to his feet and began pacing his room, still looking over the report. Seeing as nothing knew was going to appear on the paper he threw it down angrily and stalked out of his room. His stomach growled suddenly and he decided to go to the diner for something to eat.

'Maybe Claire will be in there,' Sky smirked grimly, 'then I'll be able to find out more about the people who have come along with her. I'm always stuck doing all the work.'

Heading down the long narrow passage, he watched other people hurry about. Many others like him heading for the diner. Picking up his, he kept a serious expression plastered on, one know one would be able to see through.

'This is going to be a long trip,' Sky thought bitterly.

Arriving at the diner he immediately looked around to see if Claire was here. Unfortunately she wasn't.

Skyler went and sat down at an empty table, which was in the back between some plants and the wall, 'Well at least I get a good seat,' he smiled to himself, 'I can wait here for Claire to arrive.'

2

"Yes I see," Ernest smiles, looking even more like Santa Claus, "That's very good Evan my boy."

"Thank you sir," Evan looks relieved.

"You don't need to call me sir," Ernest laughs good-naturedly, "Just call me Ernest."

"Oh," Evan turns a little red, "All right Ernest."

"Well I have to be off," Ernest speaks up, "Have to make sure that everything is running smoothly."

"Oh, uhhh yes," Evan stands up quickly.

"Nice talking to you lad," Ernest reaches out and shakes Evan's hand.

"Same to you," Evan smiles before turning and walking away.

"Nice kid," Ernest thinks as he, too, walks away.

He exited the diner and headed down the hall, turning right down another hall and going up the stairs. Ernest headed for the wheel room. Opening the door he entered and looked around finding everything still in place.

Walking to the wheel he reached forward over it and pulled up a picture of his wife and two children. The picture had been taken many years before when his kids were still young. He had two sons, the younger of which was twenty-eight the other one being thirty-five. He loved his wife dearly and took the picture with him everywhere he went.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in," Ernest called as he put his picture back again.

"Captain!" A very concerned looking worker stepped in.

"Well hey there Randy," The smile spread across his face, until he caught site of his worker's face, "What's a matter?"

"Janette cut her hand open," Cried out Randy, "She's bleedin' pretty bad!"

"Why are you telling me," Ernest asked watching Randy, "Go tell Evan!"

"Yes sir," With that Randy was gone.

Randy hurried to find Evan, who he already knew was going to be the medic on the boat. He walked right past everyone nearly running into some man on the way.

"Sorry sir," Randy sputter before hurrying on his way.

3

"Stupid people," The guy muttered, his gray eyes flashing angrily, reaching up absent-mindedly to the scar on his left cheek.

'I don't have to be around them long,' he kept telling himself, 'I just have to wait until I get there. Then I can be away from these people and do what I came to do.'

The man's black hiking boots made a soft thudding sound as he continued across the upper deck to the rear of the boat. His eyes were continually moving, watching all of their surrounding's and taking it all in. He arrived at the front of the boat quickly, and then going to the very front, where he could take in the view.

'Take it easy Tony,' He told himself, 'You'll be there soon enough and then you'll be able to finish your work.'

He was completely lost in his thoughts, staring off blankly into the ocean ahead. Not registering his surrounding's, not caring about what was going on around him. He didn't even notice the young girl who walked up next to him.

"You taking in the scenery too?" Tony was snapped back into reality as the girls soft voice spoke, her ethereal lavender eyes peering up at him wonderingly.

For a moment Tony was at a loss for words, lost in those beautiful eyes, 'Say something!' he scolded himself sternly.

"It's such a nice day today," Her tinkling laughter filled the air, making a sweet sound.

"Yeah," Tony commented, "It's nice."

"My names Rikku," Her rosy lips curled up into a light smile showing off all her pearl like teeth, "Rikku Alder."

"Tony," He replied as a smile formed on his lips.

"Well it's nice to meet you Tony!" Her cheery, perky voice causing Tony to relax more, letting his smile linger on his face longer.

"Same to you Rikku," Tony said sincerely.

"Well I'd better go," Rikku looked down for a moment, "Claire will kill me if I stay gone for too long."

"All right," Tony looked back out over the side of the boat, watching the waves off the ocean gently follow in a trail that seemed to be marking their path.

"Mayyybe." Rikku grinned at Tony, her bright, enlightening grin, "I'll - see you around?

"Yeah," Tony continued staring at the water, "Maybe."

"Well okay then," Rikku's voice sounded sure that they would indeed meet up again, "Bye!"

"Bye," Tony looked up in time to see the blonde girl walking around the side of the pool.

4

'Well he seems like a really nice guy,' Rikku was smiling to herself as she walked off around the poolside, 'Maybe I will come on out to the hot tub later. Maybe Tony will be out here.'

She continued traveling towards the dining room where she was to meet Claire, Chris and Rebecca. Her stomach grumbles slightly and she realized just how hungry she actually was, 'Hey, what's this?" Rikku pondered as she picked up a room key on the stairs she was walking down, 'Oh I better give this to the boat captain. well maybe after I eat.'

Her pace quickened as she walked down the long hall, stopping when she saw a guy standing out side his room swearing as he dug through all his pockets. She slowly approached the guy, who's back was facing to her, and tapped him on the shoulder.

"What?" They guy snapped at her as he turned around to face her.

"Oh," The Rikku spoke as she looked up into his mismatching eyes, "Uhhh, what are you looking for? Well I found a key and I was wandering if maybe it was yours?"

"Yeah," He replied as he took the key she offered to him, "Well, thanks."

"No problem," Rikku smiled broadly, feeling good knowing that she had helped someone out, "My names Rikku."

"Skyler," He reached out and shook Rikku's hand.

"Nice to meet ya Skyler," Rikku beamed and giggled lightly, "Well I'm on my way to meet my friend Claire. Well actually Claire, Chris and Rebecca. so I'd better get going."

"Alright," Skyler replied looking rather disappointed.

"Wweelllll," Rikku drew out the word, "Would you like to join me? I'm sure that the others wouldn't mind. Hey the more the merrier, right?"

"Are you sure," Skyler put on his best shy/sweet smile.

"Of course I am," Rikku told him.

"Okay then," Skyler smiled more as he dropped his key into his pocket.

"And don't lose it this time," Rikku scolded and laughed, much to Skyler's "embarrassment," as the two headed down the hall.

A/N: Well I hope that you all like it so far and I will try to be updating sooner. I know this chapter took me a while but. that's life, ya know. Oh and the next chapter will probably have shorter character introductions so I can get them all on the island. I will still be excepting characters right now though. Well R&R please!