Sorry for the delay in getting this chapter out. I have been extremely busy lately, looking into what college to transfer to and what not. Thanks for keeping up with me!

Chapter Twenty-five

The waves broke against the prow of the ship with a rhythmic sameness. Clytie leaned against the bow railing, resting her chin in her hand, her eyes distant, fixed on some far point on the sea. She closed her eyes, then, breathing deeply of the salty air. Don't look over your shoulder, Clytie Seaborne. Don't look back.

The fog was behind them now, its darkness fading into the horizon.

"Clytie…"

She turned to see Ann Driscoll walking up to her. "Hi, Ann." She gave her friend a smile. "How are you feeling?"

Ann joined Clytie at the rail. "Well. I think the morning sickness is gone--at least until tomorrow morning." Her face, which was always glowing with beauty, fairly shone.

As Clytie studied her friend, she felt a pinprick of envy deep inside, but quickly pushed it away. "I'm so happy for you, Ann. You and Jack will make great parents." She grinned. "Your child will be spoiled beyond reason."

Ann laughed softly. "I have a feeling Jack will be the softer parent. I'll have to be the firm one." She tilted her chin up and tried to look stern.

Now Clytie laughed. "You'll have to bring the kid to see me and Eric sometimes."

"We will," Ann replied. She tilted her head to the side and studied Clytie's face, particularly those hard to read green eyes. "I'm happy for you, too, Clytie," she said quietly. "You and Eric are… right."

"I know," Clytie said, her voice quiet as well. She glanced up at the bridge, where she knew he was. "I'm so glad he survived all that on the island."

"Me, too," Ann said seriously, surprising herself. Then she smiled. "I'll never forget the sight of him aiming his pistol at Carl and threatening to shoot him." She held out one arm, pretending to hold a gun. "Like this."

The two women laughed.

"And then he said he would throw Carl overboard," Clytie added. "That was great, too."

"Yes. It was," Ann agreed, nodding. She aimed her "gun" at Clytie and said in a German accent, "Mr. Denham, if you don't do as you're told, I'll shoot you and throw you overboard!"

"Mercy!" Clytie exclaimed between giggles. "Have mercy on me, Captain!"

"Never!" Ann cried, imitating Englehorn's voice to near perfection. "You do what I say, or I shoot you. You should know that by now, Mr. Denham!"

Clytie and Ann burst into laughter, barely staying on their feet.

"An excellent imitation, Mrs. Driscoll, though I must say, a bit embellished."

Both women spun around to face the blue eyes of the captain, their giggles instantly silenced. He stood akimbo, chin tilted up, expression totally serious. But Clytie noticed the twitch of his lips, the subtle twinkle in his eyes.

Ann cleared her throat nervously. "Captain, I must say, that was one of your finest moments."

And your most attractive, Clytie thought with a crooked smile.

"What are you smiling about, Miss Seaborne?" he asked her, maintaining his act of severity.

She raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "I was contemplating my rather uncontrollable attraction to you, Captain," she said solemnly.

"Oh, really?" He took a step closer to her. "And did you come to a conclusion about it?"

"I believe so," she said, smiling again.

Ann smiled at the couple. "I think I'll go find Jack," she said. She left the scene with a wink in Clytie's direction.

"So what are you going to do about this 'uncontrollable attraction,' miss?" the captain asked Clytie, smiling slightly.

"This," she whispered, kissing him soundly.

(LINE)

Jake Atkins saw the kiss. To his surprise, it did not bother him as it once would have. He sighed and went back to reading the T.S. Eliot book he had found lying around in the galley.

"Jake."

Jake lowered the book and looked up at the tall, slim form of his godson. He smiled. "You've shaved, David," he remarked with a wry smile. "Thinking of courting any ladies anytime soon?"

David plopped down beside of his godfather, grinning broadly. "Actually, yes, Jake. Jimmy and Preston and I are going to go on the grand tour of New York during Jimmy's shore leave. And we're going to try to coerce Bruce Baxter into going with us."

Jake chuckled and shook his head. "Interesting plan, David." Then he sobered, studying his godson seriously. "Why this sudden desire for romance?"

The young archaeologist rubbed his newly shaved chin thoughtfully. "Well, I've been thinking lately. I was almost killed on that island--many times. Life may be shorter than we all expect it to be, you know? Isn't there something in the Bible that says 'man knows not his time?' Nobody knows when they're going to die. And anyway…" He shrugged. "This whole thing with Clytie and Englehorn… I don't know. It just makes me want what they've got. I mean, just look at them." He motioned to the spot where the couple had just stood. Then he frowned. "Where did they go?"

Jake raised his eyebrows. "What? Where are they?" He shaded his eyes, quickly looking for his goddaughter. "Should we go look for them? I don't want them to--"

David shook his head and held up a hand. "Don't worry, Jake. Clytie's a good girl. I'm sure she's made that perfectly clear to Englehorn. And besides… The captain and I had a little talk back on the island about… things."

Jake knew that if David, who was so protective of his sister, was not concerned, then he should not be. "All right." He relaxed and reopened the book. "Where was I? Ah yes… 'I will show you fear in a handful of dust…'"

(LINE)

"So then I said, 'There's no way you're any better than our captain. I'll make a bet with you. Five bucks says you can't outshoot him."

Jack grinned and looked up from his notepad. Darby was a very entertaining storyteller.

The First Mate turned the wheel very slightly. "And so, there was no way the captain could get out of it. He had to beat this lad with a pistol. And so they stood on the side of the Venture and aimed at a very distant target on the shore, set up by me, of course. And the other captain's crew was looking on and cheering for him." The young Irishman grinned. "But of course, we knew that he would never beat Captain Englehorn. He's the best." He paused, peering at a troubling dark spot on the horizon. Then, when he realized that it was only a dolphin, he continued. "So the captain out-shot the other fellow, and I got my five bucks."

Jack quickly finished writing the piece. "Great story, Darby. But… is it true?"

"It's true," said the captain, coming onto the bridge. He glanced sharply at his First Mate. "Mr. Galyon somehow got me into that ridiculous shooting contest. I should have refused. It would have been fascinating to see the man lose a bet."

Darby grinned at his captain. "No man's ever seen that, Captain," he said cheerfully.

Englehorn raised an eyebrow at him. "One day, someone might, Mr. Galyon. You seem to have a knack for volunteering others for foolhardy 'contests.' Your mouth may get you in trouble one day."

"You're right, Captain, of course," Darby said, relinquishing the helm to the captain. "But as long as I'm volunteering you for shooting contests, that day will not come soon."

"You are dismissed, Mr. Galyon," the captain said, narrowing his eyes at Darby.

Darby nodded and walked nonchalantly off of the bridge.

Jack stood up from his chair. "I guess I'll be off to check on Ann," he said.

Englehorn gave him a quick smile. "Congratulations, Mr. Driscoll," he said. "I'm sure you're quite happy with your wife's news."

"I am," said Jack, grinning. "And I'm sure you're happy that Clytie accepted your proposal."

The captain nodded. "I am."

(LINE)

Later that day, Clytie stood on the bridge with Englehorn, going over the maps again, checking and rechecking the instrument panels. She was daydreaming about her future when his voice interrupted her thoughts.

"There is more to that mission than you realize."

She turned from the instruments. His back was to her as he stood at the wheel. "What do you mean?"

"It's very dangerous, Clytie," he said, his voice low and tense.

Frowning, concerned, she moved to stand beside him. "Eric… We've already been over this. I don't care how dangerous this is. I'm going with you." She gave him an appealing smile.

The captain glanced at her and grudgingly returned the smile. "I know. But… I was rash in agreeing to let you come along." He looked away from her then, clearing his throat, his blue eyes trained on the horizon.

"Eric…" Clytie's stomach clenched. "You… don't want to marry me?"

"That's not it!" Englehorn insisted. "I do! I want to!" He clenched his teeth and shook his head. "Look, woman--I don't ever want to look back on my life and realize that I could have--I could have prevented myself from losing you!"

"You're not going to lose me, Eric!" Clytie exclaimed. "I'm going with you!"

He worked his jaw, still not meeting her eyes. "You don't understand what you're getting yourself into."

"I don't care." She crossed her arms. I can be just as stubborn as you, Captain Eric Englehorn. "I'll face anything for you. You know I will."

He turned to smile at her then. "You don't know what you're saying you'll face."

"But you do." She nudged him gently with her elbow. "Why don't you tell me what it is?"

He sighed. "I'll tell you once we reach New York," he told her quietly. "Can you wait that long?"

His crooked smile made her smile. "Yes. I suppose I must." She looped her arm around his. "I'll try not to be such a bother about it anymore."

Englehorn smirked. "Good."

Clytie grinned slyly. "I guess it's safer not to bother you anymore. You'll shoot me and toss me overboard if I keep it up, won't you?"

At that, he kissed her.

(LINE)

Jimmy was off duty, sprawled on the deck with a flashlight and Clytie's Bible. He had already read all of her other books, so now he was starting on this one, which he figured might last him awhile. He was just becoming immersed in a battle scene between the Israelites and some Canaanites when someone came up behind him and said, "Jimmy!"

"Whoa!" He jumped to his feet, then sighed. "You sure scared me, Mr. Galyon. I thought you were a Canaanite, about to lop off my head! What do you need?"

"Jimmy, I need you to confirm something for me, lad," said Darby, rubbing at the bandage on his arm, as he was wont to do these days.

"Sure, Mr. Galyon. What do you need?"

"Walk with me," Darby said quietly.

Jimmy frowned, growing a bit worried. "Sure, sir." He followed Mr. Galyon to the bow of the ship, still carrying his flashlight and Clytie's Bible.

"Look out there, Jimmy." Darby pointed.

Jimmy peered through the darkness. At first, he saw nothing amiss. Then, he noticed what looked like a low star, noticed it because it was growing brighter. And… moving? He blinked, then stared harder at the light. "Oh! It's a ship, Mr. Galyon!"

"That's what I thought," Darby said quietly.

Jimmy looked up at the tall Irishman. "Mr. Galyon, what's another ship doing out here?"

"That's what I'd like to know, lad," Darby replied.

They called out to Englehorn, up on the bridge, who muttered under his breath in German after hearing their warning. "Slow us down, Clytie," he called to her.

Clytie hurried to obey, then stood beside of him, frowning out at the dark night--which was now a bit brighter from the lights of the other ship. "What's another ship doing out here?" she asked, unknowingly echoing the sentiments of Jimmy and Darby.

Englehorn frowned. "I hope it's not…" His voice trailed off, and he shook his head. "No. They wouldn't come out here."

"Eric… What do you mean?" Clytie asked.

"In my area of work, there is a bit of competition," he explained, turning the wheel a bit, so as to avoid crashing into the other ship.

"And you're the best," Clytie added proudly.

He gave her a quick smile, then continued. "I'm assuming that this other ship is one of my competitors. They are probably out here looking for Skull Island, the fools. Or perhaps…" He sighed wearily. "Perhaps they would like to prevent me from taking this next job…"

Clytie shivered at that ominous pronouncement.

(A/N: So sorry it took so long to get this out! I hope you are still enjoying this! I know things are moving rather slowly at the moment, but everything is just leading into the grand finale! And the sequel will be coming after that! I have kind of a basic idea for what I'm going to do with that. Anyway, you know I love a good review! And I know you guys like fast updating. I'll work on getting chapter 26 out more quickly! Thanks! M)