Chapter Twenty-one
Darby and Robbins stood on the bridge of the Venture, looking out at the horizon. It wouldn't be long now before they had to go through that fog again. Darby was extremely nervous. He had never steered the ship through the fog. And here he was at the wheel, on the bridge, in the captain's position. He shook his head. Curses on Wilson!
Jimmy suddenly bounded onto the bridge. "Mr. Galyon, I've got a report on the captain."
"How is he?" Darby asked quickly, glancing back from the wheel at the young sailor.
"Better," Jimmy said brightly. "Much. He actually regained consciousness. And it was long enough for him to ask how the ship is running and to kiss Clytie a couple of times."
Darby nodded, smiling. "Good. So…He's going to make it, then, is he?"
"Yeah. Hofstetter says so."
"Bless that little man!" Darby exclaimed.
"Who would've ever thought that he was training to be a doctor once," Robbins remarked.
"Not me," said Jimmy. He looked at Darby. "May I go check on the captain and Miss Seaborne again, sir?"
Darby nodded. "Go."
(LINE)
Clytie quietly shut the door behind her as she left Englehorn's cabin. He was sleeping again, but this time, it was an easy sleep, free from the nightmares that had plagued him during the height of his fever. Clytie leaned back against the door, closed her eyes, and sighed with relief. She had been so scared that he would die. Sniffing a bit, she wiped at the tears in her eyes, then took a deep breath. There was no need for more tears. He would be all right now.
"Clytie?"
She opened her eyes and smiled. "Hey, Jimmy. What is it?"
He shrugged and stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Just checking on you and the captain." He looked past her at the door. "How is he?"
"Much better," Clytie said, relief evident in her voice. "He'll pull through now, I'm sure."
"That's good," said Jimmy.
They were both quiet for a moment, Clytie still leaning against the door, Jimmy just standing there, eyes trained on a spot on the floor.
"Uhm, I'm going to the galley," Clytie spoke up. "I'm famished." She started to walk past him, but Jimmy reached out and grabbed her arm. Her green eyes widened in surprise. "Jimmy--?"
"Clytie… I'm glad you're okay," he said quickly. For a moment, he thought to kiss her, then stopped. This was Englehorn's woman, very much the captain's lady.
Clytie smiled, as if knowing exactly what was going on in his mind. "I'm glad you made it, too, Jimmy," she said. She looked away from him, back at the door, and her smile softened and something changed in her eyes. "And I'm so glad Eric made it."
She'll always be his girl, Jimmy thought. Slowly, he let go of her arm. Then he smiled. "I think Jack, Ann, and Preston are in the galley."
"Good." She gave him a quick smile. "Thanks, Jimmy." Then she was gone.
(LINE)
Jack and Ann looked up as Clytie entered the galley. Preston, sitting across from them, turned to smile at her.
"Welcome back, Clytie," he said.
"Thank-you," she replied. She went to Hofstetter to receive the inevitable bowl of porridge (never had porridge looked so appetizing), then sat down beside Preston and across from Ann.
"So… How is the captain?" Ann asked.
"He's fine," said Clytie, smiling. She lifted up a spoonful of porridge and blew on it. "I'm so relieved."
"We all are," Jack spoke up. He studied Clytie carefully, then glanced at Ann. He remembered how, when Ann had been taken by Kong, he would have done anything to get her back. Englehorn was obviously like that about Clytie. And Clytie was obviously the same about him. Jack was certain that this relationship between the ship's captain and the marine biologist was going to go far, perhaps to the edge of forever…
"After lunch, would you like to play a game of chess?" Preston asked the girl.
Clytie nodded and swallowed a bite of porridge. "I'd love to." Then she bit her lip. "But I'd like to check on Eric again, if you don't mind, before we play."
"I don't mind," Preston replied, shaking his head. "I thought you'd say that."
Suddenly, Jimmy burst into the galley. "We're going into the fog," he said. "Just thought I'd let you know." Then he darted out again.
Clytie shivered, remembering their last passage through that darkness.
Ann glanced at her and gave her an encouraging smile. She knew that Clytie was feeling the same apprehension that she was.
"I guess that cancels out a chess game," Preston said quietly. "I don't think either of us could play during the fog."
"You're right," said Clytie. She sighed, torn between going to the bridge to help Darby and going to the captain's cabin to take care of Englehorn. Her inner struggle did not last long. She quickly stood, taking her half-empty bowl back to Hofstetter. "I'm going to check on Eric," she said quickly. "If anyone wants to join me, they can…"
Jack nodded. "Ann and I might later."
"All right," Clytie said quietly. She gave them all a quick smile, then slipped out the door.
(LINE)
Captain Englehorn awoke alone in his cabin. At first, it startled him that Clytie was not in the room, and he sat up quickly, looking for her. His quick movement sent pain shooting through his shoulder and ribs, and he groaned, lying back on his pillow. As he laid there clenching his teeth, he thought that Clytie was probably not far away and that she was most likely safe, then... Clytie? Safe? As if that girl could live five minutes without having to go on some dangerous mission to rescue someone…
This new thought alarmed him, and he sat up again, more slowly this time. Once again, there was pain, but not nearly as much. When he finally got to his feet beside his bunk, he was gasping for breath and leaning heavily on his desk chair.
It was then when Clytie opened the door and glided into the room, wearing the green dress that she had worn the first time the captain had ever wanted to kiss her.
Her eyebrows rose. "Eric? Are you all right?"
He gave her a sardonic smile. "Delightful." Then he sat back down on the bed, wincing. "I was just about to come looking for you."
His need for her surprised and pleased Clytie. She crossed the room and sat beside him on the bed.
Englehorn smiled crookedly at her. He had never seen her move so gracefully before. The effect was feminine, attractive… stunning.
"How are you feeling?" she asked quietly. For some reason, her voice came out shaky and uncontrolled. It did something to her deep inside to know how much he wanted her, how much he needed her.
"Terrible," he replied dryly, his smile sarcastic. Then, he was suddenly serious, his blue eyes intense and almost overpowering.
"We're--we're about to go back through the fog," Clytie said, her words coming out in a rush. She blinked quickly, then looked away from him.
Englehorn reached up and turned her chin so that she was facing him. His fingers caressed her jaw and the top of her throat. She was trapped, unable to look away from him. "What's the matter, Clytie?" he asked, his voice low. "Why are you so nervous?"
"I--I don't think it's that I'm nervous," she said quickly.
"Then what is it?"
Clytie's eyes were huge. "I don't know," she said slowly. She was telling the truth. So many emotions were rushing around inside of her, that she didn't know for sure exactly what she was feeling.
"Maybe this will help you to know," Englehorn said quietly. He leaned toward her and kissed her softly on the lips, his hand tracing her face to slip behind her head, his fingers threading through her silky red-gold hair.
When he drew back from her, Clytie was disappointed. Once again, kissing him had been quite nearly magical. She hadn't wanted it to end so fast. She wanted more! Then, she noticed the sheen of sweat on his brow and the paleness of his face. She smiled softly at him. "Lie down, Eric. You're worn out."
"Before I do…" He reached to take her hand, laying it in his so that her palm faced upward. With his thumb, he traced her wrist, which sent pleasant shivers up Clytie's spine. "Before I rest… Did that help you at all?"
She nodded quickly. "It did."
"So you know now what you are feeling?"
"Yes. I do." Her voice lowered subtly, and there was a light blush on her cheeks.
The captain smiled slowly. "All right then. I can rest a satisfied man." Keeping his eyes on Clytie, he laid back down on the bunk. He was quiet for a moment, studying her. Then he sighed. "You don't have to stay here with me, Clytie. I'm sure you wish you were on the bridge right now as much as I wish I were."
Clytie took his hand and pressed it between hers. "There's no place I'd rather be than with you," she said fiercely.
He closed his eyes, frowning for a moment, hoping that she didn't notice the frown, which indicated his pain.
"Would you like some brandy?" she asked quietly.
Of course she noticed. "Yes. Just a bit. It won't take much. The pain isn't so bad."
She glanced back at him as she stood, one eyebrow raised as if to say I know it is, Eric Englehorn. You can't fool me.
(LINE)
Darby frowned at the darkness that loomed ahead. He wished with all his Irish heart that the captain were standing beside of him--and perhaps Miss Seaborne as well. At least he had Robbins. He turned around. "Mr. Robbins--"
No Mr. Robbins.
Darby sighed and turned back to the horizon. Well, at least he had himself.
(LINE)
"Robbins! Why aren't you on the bridge with Mr. Galyon?" Preston asked as the sailor came out onto the deck.
"There was a transmission," Robbins said. His brow was creased with worry. "It was for the captain's eyes only." He held out a wadded up paper. "Will you take it to him?"
Preston nodded and took the paper, frowning. "Okay…" He tilted his head to the side. "What's going on?"
Robbins shook his head. "It's in German. I'm not quite sure, but I'll bet it's serious. The only part that was in English said not to let anyone see it but him. So… Will you take it to him?" he asked again.
"Yes. Yes." Preston nodded quickly. "Right away."
"Thanks," said the sailor. He started back toward the bridge. "I'd better get up there with Darby."
(LINE)
Clytie felt the motion of the ship change beneath her feet as she stood by the captain's bunk, watching him sleep. He had fought it, not wanting to lose consciousness in front of her. She smiled and crossed her arms. It would wound his pride for him to feel like he was weak in her eyes. You're certainly not that, Captain. Not to me…
The ship's engines shifted again.
Clytie was sure they were in the fog now. She went to the porthole and peered out. Sure enough, all she could see was darkness. It made her shiver. She wrapped her arms around herself and took a step back, turning once again toward Englehorn.
The memory of his kiss settled on her with a pleasant tingle. Just being near him made her feel things she had never felt before.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Clytie said.
In stepped Jake Atkins. He glanced quickly at the sleeping captain, then fixed his gaze on Clytie, who was standing in the man's cabin as if she belonged there. As if she belonged there… The thought made Jake shudder. But he forced his negative thoughts aside, cleared his throat, and asked, "How is he?"
"He's healing quite nicely now, thank-you," Clytie replied politely. Her eyes were closed to him, jade green and hard as the stone as well.
Jake looked once again at Englehorn, remembering how the man had taken a bullet for Clytie, how he had rescued her on the bridge. He sighed, resigning himself to feeling only good will toward the captain. He turned to Clytie. "Clytie… I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault Wilson--"
"That's not what I'm talking about," he interrupted.
Clytie frowned, puzzled.
"Clytie." Jake took a step forward. "I--I was never as close to you as I was to David."
"Jake--"
He held up a fine boned hand. "Just let me finish."
She crossed her arms and shifted her feet. "All right." Her eyes still revealed nothing.
"Clytie, I should have trusted you, like I trusted David. I should never have come out here, and…" He sighed, closing his clear gray eyes. "I should not have questioned your choice of a suitor."
Clytie felt as if a burden had been snatched from her back. When Jake opened his eyes, he could tell by the set of her shoulders and the relaxed positioning of her expressive hands that she was opening up to him.
"Clytie," her godfather rushed on, "You mean so much to me, you and David. You're my own, really, my children. And--and I love you. I just--I just want you to have the best, to be happy. I didn't think at first that this man could give you the best."
"Jake, sometimes the best isn't what makes you happy," Clytie said softly. "Don't get me wrong. I'm not ungrateful to you. You've always given us the best…" She sighed. "But… I love Eric. He's not rich. He put all the money Carl gave him into repairing this…" She held up her hands, motioning to the cabin walls. "This rusty little boat. It's not the best."
"But he's the best, isn't he, Clytie?"
Clytie was quiet. Then she broke into a smile. "You ruined my little philosophy, Jake!" she exclaimed with a laugh. "Yes, I suppose he is." Her voice was tender, and it touched Jake deep inside. "He is the best. And he makes me happy." She looked down at Englehorn's sleeping form, and the look in her eyes changed completely. "I'll never forget when he opened his eyes," she said softly. "I didn't know if he was going to make it. He was calling my name, not knowing I was there all the time. Then he said it again and opened his eyes..."
Jake stepped forward. "Clytie," he said quietly. "You have my blessing."
She glanced sharply at him, disbelief registering in her eyes. "Do you mean that, Jake?"
He nodded. "I do."
"Oh, Jake!" Impulsively, she threw her arms around him.
Jake was startled at first, then regained his composure and returned the embrace. "Clytie, my daughter, if you want to marry this German ship's captain and sail around the world in his rusty little boat, you go ahead… If that's what makes you happy." Having said this, he drew away from her, turned, and left the cabin.
Clytie crossed her arms and watched him disappear down the hallway, then closed the door.
Almost as soon as she did so, there was a knock.
"Yes?"
"It's Preston."
"Come in."
Preston walked quickly inside the door. He glanced at the captain, then at Clytie. "Can you wake him up?"
She frowned. "Why?"
Preston held up a rather crumpled piece of paper. "It's a message--just for him."
(LINE)
David Seaborne stood at the bow of the ship, looking out at the fog--and not just looking at it, but feeling it. Its coldness seemed to seep through skin and muscle to his very bones. Something about that excited him. But as he peered through the thick darkness, something registered in his mind as being wrong. He frowned, not quite sure what was causing the sensation of wrongness.
Then it hit him with frightening clarity. "Galyon!" he cried at the top of his lungs, turning to face the bridge and waving his long arms. "Stop the ship! Stop the ship! We're going the wrong way!"
Up in the crow's nest, Jimmy was just realizing the same thing. "Mr. Galyon!" he yelled. "There's land ahead!"
In the bridge, Darby quickly saw what the other men were shouting about and hurried to stop the ship's engines, praying with all of his might that he was stopping the ship in time…
… because straight ahead was an island--the other island, the one from the wall-map Carl Denham had filmed. And they were about to crash right into it.
(A/N: I hope you guys don't mind about ten more chapters! Lol. And a sequel? What do you think? I've already got an idea for the basic plot. Anyway, thanks for keeping up with this story and reviewing! That just makes my day! Hopefully, Chapter Twenty-two will be released soon!)
