Chapter 37
Once they were back aboard the ship and Mari had stowed her gift safely away she took a bowl of food down to the brig and stopped at Sarah's cell.
"You look bloody awful. I didn't think it was that bad." Mari muttered, looking at the soaked and crumpled figure huddled in the corner of the cell. She unlocked the door and went in. She knelt beside Sarah and put a friendly arm around her.
"Here, have some of this, it tastes like it's from hell but it'll warm you up faster than anything I know of." Mari said. Sarah pushed it away. Mari hung her head guiltily.
"I'm sorry, I know it doesn't account for much coming from me, but I truly am sorry. I had no idea you really loved Jack that much. I guess I should have thought about things more, I guess there still is a chance." Mari said.
"A chance for what?" Sarah asked.
"To see if Jack likes you. That and you just need to get out here. I was in a fix sort of like this once, and I sure as hell hope didn't look anything like you. I apologize but you look worse than a triple drowned and damned rat." Mari said.
"Then it is hopeless." Sarah said. Mari thumped her hard on the back.
"It is if you take that attitude. Jack has some dresses in his cabin, I can find you one, and it's just a matter of cleaning you up and you straightening out your snobbish attitude. You'll never get a man with that kind of attitude." Mari said. Sarah looked at her, completely stunned.
"Come on." Mari said irritated. She dragged Sarah out of the bilge filth and up the steps. She hurried her into her room, Orion screeched loudly.
"Oh hush! It's ok now. Be nice and make sure nobody comes in. I'm going to 'borrow' something from Jack. Now where the blazes is my lock pick." Mari asked, searching under her bed and in the side table drawer.
"Ah-ah! Here it is, I'll be right back." Mari said. She left, shutting the door behind her.
She looked around to make sure nobody was watching, they weren't She carefully stuck the pick in the keyhole and began working it vigorously into the lock. Then she heard a satisfying click. She quickly pushed the door open. She found a large, decorated trunk in the far corner. She rummaged in it and found a bright yellow cheery dress in it. I would have murdered him for sure if had made me wear this damned thing. Mari thought. She tucked it under one arm then found a pair of white boots and gloves. She grabbed them too. She closed and locked the trunk then hurried out the door and back t her cabin.
"Here you go. I figure this'll do you. Personally I'd have murdered Jack if had tried to get me in that, but I'm not the type to wear dresses of any of that junk."
"Why are you doing this for me?" Sarah asked as she took the dress.
"I don't know really, I guess because you're too nice, when you want to be, to live like that. I can tell, plus I guess you deserve a real fair shot. Even if I don't like it." Mari said as she leaned against the wall, Orion on her shoulder watching Sarah's movements like he would a mouse that he was going to have for dinner.
"You know something Mari? I thought I had you figured out, a hard core, stone heart, rebellious pirate girl. But underneath all that rough edge and the mask, you're just a kind, soft hearted sweet and innocent girl." Sarah said. Mari laughed,
"I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at you, honest. But I'm anything but innocent anymore. I learned a long time ago, a mask protects you. There is some pain even I can't take. But you, I thought I had you figured too. But underneath that evil hag mask, you are nice; you're just too used to getting your way all the time. And you didn't like the competition."
"The pain you speak of, it's a broken heart isn't it?" Sara asked. Mari went quiet.
"I thought so."
"It never goes away, it is always there, a constant reminder of my faults." Mari said.
"It's not your faults; it was the guy who hurt you. If he couldn't see what kind of girl you really were then he wasn't right for you, you can do better." Sarah said.
Suddenly Mari just began laughing uncontrollably.
"I'm really sorry…" she said through fits of laughter. "I'm not laughing at you…I just think this is funny as hell." After she stopped laughing.
"How is it that two people like us, who hated each other's guts so bad we nearly killed each other, become friends? I don't get it. It's hilarious" Mari said. Then suddenly Sarah understood and she began laughing too. Then there was a knock on the door. They fell dead silent.
"Mari, are you in there? I want to talk." It was Elizabeth.
"Ok Mrs. Turner." Mari said, teasingly as she let Elizabeth in and then shut the door quickly.
"Are you going to be calling me that all the time now?' She asked. Mari nodded grinning. Then Elizabeth noticed Sarah was in the room.
"What's she doing here?" Sarah shrank into a corner.
"Your attitude is the same as Orion's we have had a chat and settled our differences, but anyway we need to get you ready for your second wedding." Mari said. Sarah nodded and they ganged up on Elizabeth.
Please don't kill me, i just figueed this would make and interesting chapter. And it helps the plot. honest. Please don't kill me.