So, at least Raine reviewed. That's better than last time! *Ahem*

I know, I know, you shouldn't need to rely on reviews in order to keep writing, but you guys this is torture!!!! Can't you all least write one measly word?! Please? I'll give you graham cracker and frosting sandwiches! *yum*

Chapter 10

"What? Explain again. I'm not quite sure I've got this straight yet. You and this...this Jim, are more than friends?" Drake asked, trying his best to remain calm. That night he'd seen Jim carrying Zandra inside. Suspecting other intentions; had jumped in and almost sliced Jim's head off with the saber that he always carried with him. Lucky for Jim, Zan had woken up and stopped him. Now both were demanding explanations.

"I said, 'A little', emphasis on little, more than friends, Drake. Okay?"

"Who is this guy, where did he come from, how long have you known him, and WHY DOES HE THINK YOU BELONG TO HIM?!" Jim roared, he had tried to remain calm, but almost having your head dissevered from your body gets a guy a little angry!

Zandra flinched, this was defiantly not going the way she'd planned. So she hadn't really told either of them about each other. She had mentioned Drake to Jim in her last couple of letters, and she'd mentioned Jim to Drake a few times. So she didn't say his name, big deal.

"Alexandra Marie Flori..." Jim's voice cut in through her thoughts.

"I thought I told you never to call me that!"

"Well, are you going to answer me, or just sit there chewing on your lip?"

"Jim, try to be nice. Okay, this is Drake.."

"You all ready told me that."

"Don't be facetious. He's from Zambodia," She paused and glanced at Drake for affirmation, he nodded. "He's been staying at the Benbow off and on for about three months. And I can't really answer the last one. Happy?"

"That's not the adjective I would use to describe what I'm feeling right now. But you did answer my questions, yes."

"I thought I told you to stop being sarcastic!"

"Excuse me, I hate to interrupt this lovely banter you two are having, but Zandra, I cannot stand the suspense any longer. Are you and this...this....for lack of a better word man, more than friends or not?!" Drake interrupted, each word dripping with ice.

"You'll not use that tone of voice when speaking directly to this young woman again, is that clear?" Jim said, rising to his feet.

"If I recall correctly, she just reprimanded you for talking to her in the same manner, Hawkins!" Drake retorted, also rising.

"That's Captain to you!"

"Oh, excuse me, almighty CAPTAIN HAWKINS!"

"I'll teach you to speak like that to me!" Jim took a step towards Drake, raising his fist menacingly .

"Oh, you want to get beaten to a pulp, do you?"

"STOP IT! Stop it both of you! STOP IT!!!" Tears started forming in the corners of her eyes. "Here I thought that both of you could act like gentlemen, and be polite, or...or at least civil to one another. But no, NO you just had to try and cut his head off! And you just had to use your high-and-mighty captaining TO ANOTHER CAPTAIN!!!!!!! I thought both of you could keep your cool better than this, but I guess I was wrong. Both of you act like boys instead of men!" She screamed as the tears that she'd been trying to keep back finally fell, she lifted the hem of her long skirt and fled the room.

The two men watched her run from the room. It took all of Jim's will power to keep from running after her. But if she was still the same girl he knew, she'd want time to get herself under control before she let anybody see her. Drake didn't have the same idea. He almost instantly started after her, but Jim placed a hand on his arm.

"Let her be."

"WHAT?!"

"Leave her alone for a bit, let her get herself under control again." Drake paused, Zandra would want to be left alone.

"All right, you win. This time." And with that he stalked out of the room.

"Wait!" He paused by the door.

"What?"

"Are you really a captain?" He turn towards Jim and leaned against the doorpost.

"You could say that."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that I own a ship, but have never actually been fully in charge of one."

Jim narrowed his eyes, "What's your ship named?"

"I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because if I do I'll die.

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Zandra blindly ran down to the docks. She tripped, pulled herself back up and ran harder. She finally reached her favorite spot that overlooked the far, far edges of the Lagoon Nebulae. She sank down and pulled her knees up to her chest, burying her face in her hands. Thunder rolled, she glanced up at the sky, as if daring it to rain on her. The wind howled, and she shivered, cursing herself for not grabbing a jacket. She wrapped her arms more tightly legs. She heard another crack of thunder, lightning flashed and the storm broke loose. Rain pelted down on her, soaking her in seconds, but she didn't pay any attention. She was to absorbed in her problems. Why hadn't she just told one of them about the other? Why hadn't she told Jim on the way home? Why did she always manage to get herself into so much trouble? Why....why was it so cold out? She slowly, painfully stood and made her to the inn. It was so cold. She couldn't feel her feet anymore. She had to keep on moving. She was so tired. Maybe she should lie down for a minute. NO! She bit her lip and started walking faster. She had to get inside, had to get warm. She had to get inside before she caught hypothermia. She was almost there. It was so cold and she was so tired. She had to get inside and get warm before she could sleep. She had to! She pushed open the door to the inn, ooh, it was so warm! She barely was inside before she fainted.

(A/N: There! It's my vain attempt at a cliff-hanger, hope you liked it! Now click the little button down there, Please? Because you love me?)