DISCLAIMER: Blast! We don't own it... yet. We're working on it though...
Chapter 18: Renee
Faith woke with a start a few days later at the call of a crewmember. "Land ho! Land ho! The island- Estrella del Mar- just ahead!"
"Estrella del Mar?" Faith muttered, readying herself quickly. She came up onto the deck to see everyone scrambling to ready the ship for anchorage. They never docked at the port unless they were attacking, so at this obscure island, barely visible through the thick morning fog, they were going to anchor a ways out. They dropped anchor quickly and there was a scramble to be the first in the rowboats.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Jack. He nodded toward his cabin and said, "Just until I get them clamed down love- then you can go ashore and I'll keep watching her."
Faith nodded. "Of course." She made her way to the cabin. When she got there, Abbi was still asleep, moaning a little and tossing her head. Faith's head wrung a little as she checked the bandage. Jack had already changed it this morning. She had a strong feeling that Jack had been awake all night.
She didn't have to wait long. Jack burst in a few minutes later, his eyes riveted on Abbi's sleeping form. Faith stood awkwardly for a moment before taking a deep breath and leaving. Almost as soon as she stepped out, she heard Thomas' voice.
"There you are! I've been worried!" he said as he slipped an arm around her waist and started to maneuver towards a boat. Faith said nothing, just merely sighed and crossed her arms and allowed herself to be led. "Is something wrong?" Faith looked up at Thomas, her expression saying more than enough. "Stupid question. I'm sorry." Faith looked at the deck. "Faith, it's not your fault! Abbi's alive, and the one who would have killed her is dead. She's strong- she'll pull through."
"I hope you're right. Thomas, I hope you're right," Faith said, her eyes still on the planks even as she turned to face him.
"I know I'm right Faith. And I don't understand why you don't." He rubbed her shoulders gently and bending to catch her eye.
Faith shook her head. "It just doesn't seem possible."
"Things aren't always what they seem." Thomas stroked her cheek lightly. "Trust me Faith. Abbi is going to be fine. Now give me a smile. Please?" He brightened a little and tried to lighten the mood.
Faith smiled weakly. As they moved closer to the rowboat, Faith asked, "So, have you ever been to this island before?"
Faith saw Thomas' expression cloud over with a strange look. "You...could say that..." he said, rather distracted.
"Is something wrong?" Faith asked concerned.
"I... I used to live here," Thomas said heavily, as though he were confessing to a crime.
Faith blinked. "Okay... why does that matter?"
"Well, I left... people behind when I went away on that merchant ship. Then it was raided and I was indentured..." Thomas sighed. "It's just a little... complicated."
Faith nodded a little before reaching for Thomas' hand. They finally reached the edge of the ship, where a rowboat was waiting to be filled. Thomas lifted Faith over the edge of the ship and she dropped into the rowboat with only a slight waver. He then hoisted himself over the railing and into the rowboat. He and Faith sat down in the bottom of the swiftly overcrowded boat. The white sandy shore grew closer as the oars were seized and rowing began.
Faith and Thomas walked through the streets of Estrella del Mar's only major city: Luna Cielo. Thomas pointed out his childhood haunts and favorite shops as they went about their way. Faith, who had changed her wardrobe to pants and shirts, was drawing many strange looks from the passersby.
One of the townspeople glanced at her, then at Thomas, did a double take, and then screamed. "Thomas! Thomas! Oh, thank God you've returned!"
Thomas froze. He was afraid something like this might happen. Faith gauged his reaction before asking him what was wrong. He turned to her in silence and looked at her pleadingly. She raised her eyebrow as several people followed the young woman who had recognized him to surround the pair. Many pointed and whispered excitedly as the girl placed herself between Faith and Thomas. Somewhat perturbed, Faith sidestepped her and went to stand at Thomas' other side. The young woman didn't even seem to notice her. "Oh, Thomas!" the blonde haired and brown eyed stranger breathed.
"Hello Renee." Thomas looked as though he would hurl at any given moment. Faith looked from Thomas to the girl dubbed Renee, who wore clothes of the latest fashion and was flanked by two servants holding many shopping bags. Faith could tell already that she didn't like this 'Renee'.
"Oh, you've returned!" Renee screamed as she threw her arms around Thomas' waist. Thomas just stood there, his arms clamped firmly at his sides, as the girl hugged him. He seemed temporarily paralyzed, his face contorted into one of uncertainty and embarrassment. Faith stared at them both, question and a measure of hurt showing in her eyes.
"Thomas?" Renee backed away a little and touched his arm softly. "Where have you been all these years?"
"I am a sailor now, Renee. I told you that when I left."
"I always knew you'd come back for me!" she said, clasping her hands around his arm and staring up at him dreamily.
"I'm not here for you- my ship has stopped here to supply and repair, and then we're back on the sea once again."
A wave of whispers shot through the onlookers. "Don't be silly!" The girl's playful tone had changed into an alluring one. Her voice was deeper and she lowered her head a little and advanced on him again. "You never could resist me." And with that said, she pulled him into a deep kiss.
Faith's mouth opened in horror. Gaining her composure again, she crossed her arms. "Thomas, what do you think you're doing?!?" She pushed Renee away from him in mid-kiss and stood between them with fire in her eyes.
He stuttered for a moment, his eyes showing his confusion and total shock. "Who's your little friend, Thomas?" came Renee's voice from behind them.
Faith ignored her. "I don't believe this!"
"She kissed me!" Thomas began, his voice distraught. "I was just..."
"Oh yes! You were fighting her like a tiger!" Faith said sarcastically, her eyes still ablaze as her anger grew.
"I...I..."
"I asked who your friend was Thomas!" said the tiny blonde as she came to take his arm. "I want an answer when I ask a question," she continued, her voice suddenly quite demanding.
"This is Faith... uh... my shipmate..." said Thomas. It was not until after it was too late that he realized that this was probably the worst thing he could say.
"Your shipmate...?" Renee sounded doubtful.
Faith, however, looked as though she could breathe fire at any moment. "Your shipmate! Your shipmate?! You introduce me as your SHIPMATE?! I can't believe you! I'm such a fool! You know what?" Faith said toward Renee, her eyes glistening. "You can have him!" she tried to scream, but it only came out a whisper. She put a hand to her mouth and pushed her way through the crowd, running at full speed. It was all too much to handle.
Thomas watched after her, not believing the words that had just come out of his mouth. Can't get much stupider than that, he thought as he slapped himself mentally. He was open-mouthed as she ran out of the city toward the beach. He closed mouth, turned to Renee, and pushed her hands away as they tried to encircle him again. "That was the woman I love, and I have to go after her. So if you'll excuse me..."
Renee grabbed his arm again. "But I thought you loved me," she pouted.
"No, I was infatuated. When I realized how stupid it all was, I left, just like I'm leaving now." And he turned to go find Faith.
Faith reached the beach and fell to her knees in frustration. His shipmate? Is that all he saw her as? Her sorrow was quickly replaced anger. She looked out to sea before hearing Thomas' voice. "Faith?" She didn't even look up. She merely got to her feet and began to walk away, thinking he would take the hint.
But he didn't. He followed her closely, even being so bold as to come up beside her. "Thomas, I would rather not hear anything you've got to say. I really do not want to speak with you..." she said, her eyes straight ahead.
"But I need you to," he said, his voice betraying his sorrow.
Faith was unmoved. "If you're in such a talkative mood, why don't you go talk to Renee?" She drew out the last word, obviously portraying her disgust. Thomas winced at the words. "I'm sure she'd be avidly interested in anything you say..."
"That was a long time ago, Faith," Thomas replied softly.
"Well, it seems to me that the fires are still burning ever so brightly!"
"No Faith. I doused those flames when I went to sea."
Faith snorted. "Is that why she was so reserved around you?" Sarcasm was her favorite weapon.
"She still refuses to believe that I left her. But I did."
"Well, if you left her, can't you leave me alone?"
"No. I can't."
"Why?" she asked, not expecting an answer.
"Because I'd die if I did. You are the only girl I've never been to imagine my life without. I honestly don't know how I'd live without you! If I let you walk out of my life, I'd never be happy again," he ended softly, stopping as Faith did.
She felt a range of emotions. He sounded like he meant it, but Renee... She hardened herself from her emotions, something she had become rather well at doing lately. "Prove it!"
"How? Tell me what to do," he said in all seriousness.
Faith was still for a long time, thinking about it. After a while, she laughed a little. "I don't know what you should do," she admitted quietly.
Thomas noticed that she refused to look at him. "How about if I try again? I'll go back and introduce you properly, eh?"
"No need, "Faith muttered, continuing her walk along the shore.
Thomas walked beside her, and after a little strained silence, he put a hand around her shoulder. "Faith, I'm sorry. You can't possibly fathom how sorry I am. Will you please forgive me?"
Faith looked at her feet, thinking fast. She felt a familiar hand cup her cheek. "She's from the past. I don't think anything of her anymore."
The hand moved to lift her chin. As much as she tried not to look at him, she knew she couldn't resist much longer. She looked into his eyes.
Big mistake. She saw within him a very intense yearning. Her heart melted at the sight and she nodded, saying barely above a whisper, "I forgive you."
Thomas felt a weight lift from his chest and he took Faith into his arms. As she did so often recently, Faith buried her head in his chest and let it all out. As she clung to him, Thomas resolved that he would never let her get away from him again.
You like? I know, not a whole lot of Jack and Abbi, but we thought this would be a fun chapter to write. Besides, our friend, Crissy, at school wanted us to put her in, so we did and we used her middle name. And just so you know, NO- Crissy is not like that at ALL in real life! She quite the opposite, actually. But she is pretty hyper...
The Light of Earendil: Glad you like our story! I take it from your name you are a LOTR fan? Me too! Well, not a fanatic, like my friend DaneJade, but I do enjoy it. Anyway, more Jack and Abbi next chapter! I promise!
margo: Well, where is the review from barbara?!? It's Saturday and I still have no review! Oh well, it's ok. Don't worry about it. Glad you are still enjoying this story! Can you believe we only have 2 chapters left ( epilogue)? AHH! You'll live though. Have a good week!
DaneJade: I wrote half of the last chapter, while Ary wrote all of this chapter (with the exceptions of a few tweaks by yours truly). Hey- thanks for helping me come up with those ideas for the sequel last night! I'm am REALLY gonna have fun with Jack and Abbi next story!
In case some of you didn't read the review reply to DaneJade, YES- there will be a sequel! I've talked Ary into it, and we're gonna work on it over the summer. And even if she didn't agree, I'd write the sequel by myself because I've got this GREAT idea for Jack and Abbi! It's gonna be REALLY funny! But you'll have to wait a while before you get it... sorry!
Hope all of you have a wonderful week! Keep R&R!
Joey (& Ary in spirit)