Abgie: "Ladies" she won't admit her feelings because she doesn't know if Jim loves her back. Would you tell your heart throb that you were in love with him? Wait, knowing you "two" and how rash you are, you probably would, considering your lack of humility.
Night Music: Yes Silver's coming! Woo-hoo! I'm still trying to figure out how exactly to fit him in, any ideas?
Chapter 12
"Zandra? You up?" Jim's voice drifted through her door.
"Yeah, I'm up. Come in." Jim opened her door and stepped inside her room.
"Zan, where are you?" She poked her head out of the closet.
"In here. I'll be out in a second." A moment later she came out wearing a floor length, gray skirt that was tight at her hips and gradually got fuller as it went down to her ankles and a red shirt. Her face was very pale, and she was breathing hard. He moved toward her, but stopped when she raised a shaking hand.
"Don't," Deep breath. "I..I'm going to....to do this" Gasp "on my own." She said. He ignored her and gently picked her up and brought her to her bed.
"Jim, I'm not going to lay down. I want to go downstairs."
"No, you're staying here and getting your rest."
"But, Jim..." She gave him a look that could melt ice. He closed his eyes, sighed and turned toward the door.
"You're staying by the fire, on the couch, and you will not get up to do anything unless the house is on fire, understand?" She smiled and lightly kissed his cheek.
"Thanks Jim."
"You do realize that if my mom says anything you're going straight back to bed."
"I know, I know."
"Jim?"
"Yeah?"
"You're okay with cooking aren't you?"
"As long as everyone eats eggs, yeah."
She flinched, "I don't want your mom cooking everything and waiting tables. That's normally what I do. Can you make most of the side dishes?"
"Yeah, I think I can handle it. Don't worry about it, and that's an order." He gently set her on the couch. Drake entered the room and stopped short when he saw them.
"Zandra, why are you down here?"
"Because I hate being shut up in my room for excessively long periods of time."
"I want you to go back to your room."
"And I'm supposed to care because?"
"Give up while you're ahead, Drake. We've already had this conversation." Jim said. Drake rolled his eyes and sighed,
"Fine you win. This time." He bent over and kissed her forehead lightly. Jim felt his blood boil as he fought the impulse to break Drakes face.
"Hey Drake? Can I talk to you for a minute."
"Yeah. I'll be back around lunchtime." He squeezed her hand and followed Jim out if the room.
"What?"
"How long have you been around ships?"
"Almost all my life. Why"
"I need a good gunner and I was wondering if you wanted the job."
"What's the catch?"
"No catch. Do you want it or not?"
"No, I don't think I will. I'm pretty sure you'd never let anything happen to her. It appears that you love her almost as much as I do. Just don't think you'll be the one she picks." And with that he left the room.
What? He denied an opportunity to be with Zandra?! Why? Stay tuned and find out! Sheesh, I sound like a radio announcer...Must be something in the brownies...
