Chapter twelve
Mari then hobbled off to the front of the deck and leaned against the rail, enjoying the salty breeze on her face ad in her hair. The ocean was freedom, and adventure. The two things she could not live without. She smiled to herself, she was always happiest when she was near the sea, especially in open waters, with nothing but her lady surrounding her and protecting her, sometimes. Footsteps behind her made her turn and look around. It was Tim; he came up and stood beside her, watching the ocean go past, under the Pearl.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Tim asked quietly.
"Yes, yes it is, I've always loved the sea. Its vast untamed beauty and freedom; I can't ever stay away from it long." Mari said.
"Even after it tried to kill you? Will, told me about you being his sister." Tim said, not looking at her.
"Oh, well yes, because even though it tried to claim my life, it has saved me and did save me. It was a creature of the sea that saved me and brought me to Tortuga. It was as if the sea was telling me my life was to be a pirate. Then the more I thought about it the more it seemed right, and the sea offered freedom, and a chance to be untamed by the world of men. No offense meant." Mari said.
"None taken, but you sound different, when you talk about the sea." Tim said, now gaining the courage to look at her. He found she was looking at him with some interest and his blue eyes met her light brown eyes. She is so beautiful. He thought, swallowing.
"Yeah, I guess so, but it's just something about her that draws me. I can't really explain it." Mari said.
"Oh. Your eyes are so beautiful. Most brown eyes are deep, and sentimental. But your eyes express the wish of blue eyes, freedom, spirit, and purity." Tim said with reverence and awe. Mari smiled and looked away.
"I don't know about purity, a pirate's life isn't exactly pure and honest." Mari said smiling; she had a funny feeling in her gut but pushed it away. She knew the feeling and loathed it with every fiber of her being.
Meanwhile, jack had been listening intently to their conversation; Will was below deck, asleep. So it was just those three, plus the animals. The more Jack heard the funnier he felt. He felt like there was this monster inside of him, clawing to keelhaul Tim, and another part that couldn't stop thinking about Mari. He shook his head, to try and clear his thoughts. What is happening to me? Why am I feeling this way? Jack asked himself.
"So, how did you get Orion?" Tim asked, a feeling in his gut was growing stronger and he was fighting the temptation that it brought.
"Uh... an old suitor gave him to me, he couldn't tame him, but I managed to befriend him. But then things happened, and, well the rest is ancient history. There's no point in talking about it." Mari said.
"Oh, I'm sorry." Tim said quietly. While privately thinking if he ever met the man who had hurt her he would make him pay.
"Don't worry about, I just don't like talking about." Mari said smiling slightly.
"Mari, I… I think you should know," Tim began, the feeling in his gut was growing stronger and a voice in the back of his mind was telling him to do it.
""What? What should I know?" Mari asked, turning to face him with mild curiosity.
"I… I think you should know that I would never do anything to hurt you. And that if I did I feel I should suffer a thousand horrible tortures in Davy Jones's locker." Tim said hastily as though he feared he might lose his nerve.
"Oh, I kind of figured that." Mari said, but wasn't quite sure she wanted to hear anything else he wanted to say.
Jack peered around the corner to look at them, being careful not to be seen. Watch it, boy. Don't push your luck. Jack thought as the monster inside of him roared with fury at how close Tim as to Mari.
"Mari," Tim asked hesitantly
"Yes?" Mari said still looking at him.
"I… I think, no I know, I love you. I love you more than life itself." Tim said then without warning he pulled Mari into an embrace and pressed his lips against hers.
Ok, there it is folks. please r&r