A massive thanks to my esteemed reader/reviewers who have encouraged me every step of the way in this most fun endeavor. I have never enjoyed writing a story so much as I have enjoyed writing this one. And I'm so glad that you all seem to like it! Yay!

Chapter Twenty-seven

"Now look here, fellas… What's in this for me?" asked Bruce Baxter upon being confronted with the "bride search" plan by David, Jimmy, and Preston.

"Just think of all the pretty girls who will become attracted to us!" David exclaimed.

"More porridge?" asked Hofstetter, coming by with a huge pot. "This is the last of it, and we'll reach New York by tomorrow."

"Sure," said David, holding out his empty bowl. As Hofstetter filled it up, he continued talking. "And it won't hurt your reputation at all. In fact, people will see a new side to Bruce Baxter. They'll see that you are good about helping your friends."

The arrogant actor rubbed his chin. "I think I see where this is going…"

"Please agree, Mr. Baxter!" Jimmy pleaded. "It will be so much fun!"

Bruce studied the cabin boy closely for a moment. The idea of Jimmy moving in high social circles was amusing… Maybe that would be a good thing. It wouldn't hurt Bruce's image for him to be seen as a philanthropist… "All right, guys. All right. We'll do it."

"Thank-you, Bruce," said Preston. "I'm looking forward to this."

David, who had already devoured half of his second bowl of porridge, grinned. "Let's make bets on who gets a bride first."

(LINE)

Captain Englehorn woke up with a start from a very pleasant dream involving Clytie and a beautiful island--not Skull Island. He sat up quickly, too quickly, and his shoulder ached. He stood slowly and looked around his cabin, his eyes finally settling on the pocket watch on his desk. He walked over to the desk and picked up the little timepiece, groaning when he realized how late he had awakened. Clytie's good-night kiss must have bewitched me… He smiled at that thought, then hurried to get dressed for the day. As soon as he was dressed, he jogged toward the bridge, mentally berating himself for not rising earlier.

Then, just before he reached the bridge, he heard something that made him stand still and listen. It was music, singing. Two voices, perfectly blended, a man's and a woman's, were softly singing a hauntingly beautiful tune. The captain quietly walked to the door of the bridge and peered inside.

Darby was at the wheel, singing. And Clytie stood behind him, once again watching the maps and instruments, also singing.

Englehorn watched them quietly for a moment, crossing his arms. Then, when they finished the verse they were singing, he cleared his throat.

They both turned to look at him, startled.

"Ah! Captain!" Darby exclaimed. "How are you feeling?"

Englehorn walked onto the bridge. "Much better this morning." He frowned at his First Mate. "Why did you not wake me?"

"Miss Seaborne said you needed your rest," Darby answered innocently. "You're still an injured man, Captain."

The captain leveled his frown on Clytie. "Miss Seaborne?"

"Eric, you haven't recovered fully yet," Clytie replied. She came to stand in front of him. "And you looked so peaceful when I checked on you this morning."

Englehorn sighed. "Don't let me sleep in like that tomorrow," he ordered. Then he smiled slowly. "But thank-you for giving me the rest. I think I needed it." He winked at Clytie, then turned to Darby. "Mr. Galyon, status report."

(LINE)

In Jack and Ann's cabin, a gramophone was playing. The music skipped occasionally with the rising and falling motion of the ship, but the Driscolls didn't really care. They held each other close and danced slowly.

"Jack," Ann whispered in his ear.

"Yes, darling?"

"We'll be home tomorrow."

"I know."

"And this will all be over."

"Yes."

"And next year…" Ann smiled into his shoulder. "We'll have a baby."

She could hear the grin in Jack's voice. "I know, dear."

For awhile, they both were quiet, content in each other's arms, swaying to the softly playing music.

"Jack… I'll miss Clytie," Ann spoke up, frowning.

"I know you will. She's been a good friend to you."

"We'll get to see her again, won't we?"

"I'll make sure of it." Jack chuckled softly. "Though I daresay, she'll be hard to keep up with. She'll be Mrs. Englehorn soon, and if I know those two as well as I think I do, they'll be traveling all over the world in this boat."

(LINE)

Clytie left the bridge to join Preston, David, and Jimmy for a chess tournament in the galley. Englehorn watched her go, watched her until she was out of sight, then turned to Robbins, who was sitting at the wireless. "Mr. Robbins, there is a telegram I need you to send," he said.

A few minutes later, he strode off of the bridge, feeling quite pleased with himself. He walked on the deck for awhile, giving orders to any of his crew that he saw, making sure everything was running smoothly. Then, as always, he felt a strong desire to see Clytie. He quietly headed for the galley, pausing just inside the doorway, so that no one saw him but Hofstetter. He shook his head at the cook, indicating that he didn't want to be seen, then leaned against the wall and watched Clytie, who was seated beside Preston and across from Jimmy, whose back was to the captain.

Clytie looked happy, very much so. She laughed at some dryly humorous joke that Preston made, then made a move on the chess board that threw Jimmy into a state of depression.

For a moment, Englehorn wondered if she would be that happy without him. He frowned and crossed his arms, suddenly thinking that maybe she could be happy without him, even that she should be. She would be sad if he left her, but she would get over it. She would marry some rich, boring young fellow, chosen, no doubt, for her by Jake… The captain smiled. No she would not. Not his Clytie. She was not the kind of girl to let someone else choose her life's mate. She would choose for herself.

And she had chosen him. Englehorn shook his head, laughing inwardly at his foolishness. Clytie would never allow him to leave her. And even if she did, he could not. He realized that suddenly. If he left her in New York, he would never forget. The captain had always prided himself on his self-control, on being able to detach himself from emotional situations, but… He would never be able to forget Clytie Seaborne. He would go mad, haunted by her memory. She had penetrated all of his defenses, grabbing hold of his very soul.

As he looked at her around the edge of the doorway, he knew that this love between them was a forever thing.

Clytie looked up suddenly, as if sensing his presence. And she smiled. "How kind of you to join us, Captain," she called out.

Englehorn stepped into the galley. "Miss Seaborne, after you are finished with your game, I would like to see you on the bridge," he said.

She raised her eyebrows. "All right. I'll be along in a minute."

(LINE)

"How did the chess tournament go?" Englehorn asked her as she stepped onto the bridge.

Her hair was slightly windblown, her cheeks pinked by the sun. And she seemed oblivious to the fact that she held him spellbound. "I beat Jimmy, Jimmy beat Preston, Preston beat me." She laughed. "I'm not sure how that happened. Each of us lost and won a game." She shook her head. "I guess we all just use different strategies."

"Hm."

Clytie glanced sharply at him. Obviously, he had not called her here to talk about chess. She noticed that he was giving her a slow, up-and-down stare, which made her blush slightly. "What did you want to see me about, Eric?" she asked.

"I cancelled my next job," he said simply. "I'm not going."

Clytie's dark eyebrows raised. "You did? Why?"

He looked away from her, looking instead to the horizon, minding the wheel, turning it ever so slightly.

"Why, Eric?" She came to stand close beside him, touching his uninjured shoulder lightly.

He closed his eyes at the touch of her hand, then turned to look at her. "I want to marry you as soon as possible, Clytie," he said, his voice low and a bit hoarse. "As soon as we get to New York."

Clytie smiled. "That sounds fine with me, Eric." Then she frowned. "But why did you cancel the mission? Couldn't we get married, then go together?"

"That mission is more dangerous than you know, Clytie," the captain replied. "And some elements of it are not exactly legal."

"Oh." She sighed. "So you gave it up."

"Yes." He reached to touch her hand, tracing her long, slender fingers with his. "I would not want to put my new bride in such danger."

"Your new bride." She linked her fingers with his. "That sounds nice."

He kissed her cheek lightly. "Yes. It does."

(LINE)

Clytie awoke slowly the next morning. She had stayed up late last night with David, Henry, Preston, and the Driscolls, celebrating the return to New York. Then she had stood for awhile on the bridge with the captain, and they had shared their good-night kiss out on the deck under the stars… She sighed contentedly and stretched. Soon, she would be a bride. Soon, the good-night kisses would no longer be good-bye kisses as well…

There was a knock at the door.

"Who is it?" Clytie asked, standing and searching around for her luggage.

"It's Jimmy."

"What is it, Jimmy?"

"We're there, Clytie!" he called excitedly. "We'll be docking in a few minutes!"

Clytie swiftly began to pull off her nightgown. "Excellent!" she exclaimed. "I'll be out in a few minutes!" She washed up with the water and soap on the banged-up little nightstand, then pulled on her black dress and a pair of little black heels, impractical for being onboard, but… She wouldn't be onboard much longer.

As soon as she was in the hall, she spotted Ann, standing at the door of the cabin she had shared with Jack. "Ann! Ann!" she called. "Is it true? Are we almost there?"

"Yes!" Ann exclaimed. She gave her friend a hug, then glanced back into her cabin and put a finger to her lips. "Jack is still asleep," she said.

"Oh!" Clytie covered her mouth with her hands. "Hopefully, we didn't just wake him up," she said, her voice muffled through her hands.

Suddenly, Preston burst out of his cabin, his eyes wide behind his glasses. "Is it true? Are we almost there?" he asked, echoing Clytie's words.

Ann nodded, then nodded back at her cabin, motioning for Preston to be quiet.

"Oh. Sorry." For a moment, he looked sheepish. Then he brightened. "Let's go out on the deck."

(LINE)

Darby, Robbins, and Englehorn were on the bridge.

Englehorn was giving orders for docking, while Darby was manning the wheel.

New York loomed mighty and gray against the midmorning sky. The Venture had finally returned from its rescue mission to Skull Island--successful.

Englehorn walked out to the railing and leaned over it. He could see Clytie down on the deck, walking with Ann and Preston. And there were Jack and David, just immerging onto the deck, blinking in the sunlight. Obviously, those two had just awakened. Clytie turned and saw her brother, then ran to him, flinging her arms around his neck.

For a moment, the captain felt sad at the loss of life the rescue mission had brought about. As he watched Clytie and her brother talk excitedly, he did not regret agreeing to go. David Seaborne's life had been saved. That was what mattered. And (he smiled crookedly at this) Englehorn had gained a bride.

(LINE)

Clytie stood at the railing as Jimmy and Schmidt lowered the gangplank. It would feel odd to walk on dry land again. It always did when she returned from a sea voyage. She looked behind her, looked up at the bridge, and caught the captain watching her, as he always did. She smiled at him and gave him a little wave. He waved back at her, making her smile broaden. Then she turned back to face the city.

A police car was parked by the docks, waiting to take Carl, who would be charged as an accessory to assault for assisting in Joe Wilson's vengeful plans. Beside it was parked a limousine, Jake's vehicle of choice, waiting to take Jake, David, Preston, Bruce, and Jimmy to a fancy hotel downtown.

"Clytie." A gentle hand touched her shoulder. It was Ann.

"Yes, Ann?"

"Jack and I are going to get a taxi back to our apartment. Would you like to go with us? You could stay there until you and the captain get things settled, if you like."

Clytie smiled at the kind offer. "I think that would be very nice. I would like that very much." Much better than staying with Jake and the others, listening to insufferable tales of flirtations and the like.

Ann smiled, as well. "Good. We'd love to have you."

"I'm sure it won't be for long, though," Jack remarked from where he stood behind Ann.

Clytie blushed a bit. "No. Probably not."

"Have the two of you talked about where you're going to live?" Ann asked curiously.

"Not in New York," Clytie replied. "Neither of us wants to live here." Noticing the sadness in Ann's eyes, she added quickly, "But whenever we're in port, we'll definitely come to visit you. And I'm sure we'll be docked here pretty often."

Ann brightened. "Good! Because I want you around when I have my baby."

Clytie smiled. "I'd love to be here."

"I'll make sure that we're here when that happens," came a low, slow German accent from behind her.

She turned around. "Captain!"

"Are you ready to disembark?" he asked.

Clytie bit her lip. "I'm not sure."

He looked around her at Ann and Jack. "Take care of her until I come for her."

"We will," Jack promised.

Englehorn took Clytie's hand and kissed it, then spun on his heel and walked off across the deck, barking orders at random crewmen along the way.

Clytie sighed. "No good-bye kiss?"

"He's a busy man, Miss Seaborne," Jack reassured her. "Come on. I think there's a pay phone in that drug store over there."

(LINE)

After a few swift, but loving, good-byes to Jake, David, Preston, Jimmy, and even Bruce (who was almost too busy looking at his reflection in Jake's limo to care), Clytie climbed into a cab with Jack and Ann.

"Call us when there's a wedding," David called to his sister from the limo. "We want to be there."

"Yeah, and we'll show up with half of the good looking girls in New York!" Jimmy added, making Clytie laugh.

The cab sped away from the dock. Clytie felt a bit dizzy as she looked out the open window, looked back at the Venture. She watched it until it disappeared from view, then turned around to settled in the seat, her head against the window, her heart left behind on the ship.

The cabby proved to be very good at negotiating traffic, somehow finding a way through and around the crowded masses of cars. It wasn't long at all before they reached Jack and Ann's apartment building.

Clytie climbed out of the car to be quickly accosted by Ann, who took her hand and said excitedly, "This is where we live! I can't wait to show it to you!"

Clytie wondered if she would be that excited about where she would live with her Eric. And she was sure that she would. She followed Jack and Ann into the building, which was by no means fancy, but nice and clean and conveniently located near all the theaters.

The three of them made their way up the stairs to the third floor, where the Driscolls' apartment was located, dragging their luggage. Clytie was glad that she had packed light.

"The elevators are broken," Jack explained apologetically. "But the landlord said someone is coming to fix them in two or three days."

"That's nice," Clytie replied as they finally made it to the landing on the third floor.

Jack led the way to the apartment door and whipped out his key. "It's so nice to be home," he said, standing in front of the door and looking at it lovingly.

"Hurry up, Jack! I want to show her our rooms!" Ann urged him.

Jack quickly turned the key in the lock, turned the doorknob, and pushed the door open. Then he stepped back and bowed. "Ladies first."

"Such a gentleman!" Ann exclaimed, walking in first. She let out a little squeal when Jack smacked her behind with his suitcase.

Clytie walked in the room sideways, keeping her eyes on Jack.

The tall writer laughed. "Don't worry, Clytie. I save all those for my wife."

Clytie grinned. "Good." Then she turned around and drew in a small gasp of pleasure. "Ann, it's lovely!"

The apartment was pretty good sized, with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. It was beautifully decorated, with flowers and sun catchers and black-and-white photographs of Jack and Ann and their plays. It was clean, albeit slightly cluttered, and colored in soothing pastels. Clytie immediately liked the apartment.

"Come on." Ann held out her hand. "Let me give you the grand tour."

(LINE)

Clytie laid on the pale blue sofa in the Driscolls' living room, looking up at the ceiling. She had been in the apartment for two days. She loved the Driscolls. She loved their living space. But she missed Eric Englehorn with a passion. Why didn't he come?

Ann walked into the living room, dressed in a long lavender coat. "Jack and I are going to the theater. Would you like to come?"

"Sure." Clytie sat up and stood, brushing off her blue dress.

"I think the boys are going to be there," Ann said, referring to David, Preston, Jimmy, and Bruce.

"Really?" Clytie smiled. "Are they going to help you with your play?"

"I'm not sure," said Ann.

Jack immerged from the bedroom behind her. "I think their purpose in coming is to give us a report on how the 'bride search' is faring," he said with a chuckle.

Clytie grinned and followed the Driscolls to the door, glad for a diversion.

Jack opened the door and just stood there, blocking whatever had him frozen from view.

"Jack? What is it?" Ann queried.

Jack stepped aside, grinning. "Come on, Ann. I think we'll let Clytie deal with our visitor."

There, in the doorway, stood Captain Eric Englehorn, wearing his captain's hat and navy blue pea coat, his blue, blue eyes fixed on Clytie.

The Driscolls slipped around him, winking at each other. "Come to the theater whenever you're ready, Clytie, Captain," Ann called back.

"Eric!" Clytie exclaimed, her voice squeaking a bit.

"Clytie, I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner…" He took off his hat and fiddled with it absently, looking down at his black boots. "There was so much to be done on the ship. I--"

"But you came. That's what matters." Clytie stepped forward, smiling up at him. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too!" he burst out suddenly. "I could hardly bear it! It wasn't right without you… Not without you…" He quickly put his hat back on and stepped forward, sweeping Clytie into his arms, holding her tightly against him. "Oh, Clytie. It's so good to see you again."

When they finally broke apart, he kissed her lips warmly, then her cheek, then her throat, running his hands through her strawberry blonde hair. Then, he stood back from her, taking her hands. "Let's go to the theater. We need to tell the others that we are getting married right away."

Clytie's eyes widened. "But I don't have a dress! And what about a minister?"

"That's all settled." The captain grinned slyly. "I contacted your godfather. He telegraphed from the ship as soon as he learned of our engagement to have your mother's wedding dress sent from Charleston, South Carolina. And I also contacted the pastor of your church. He will be coming to town as well. Tonight."

Clytie felt dizzy--from the toe-curling kisses and this wonderful news. "So… We're getting married tonight?"

"Yes. At the theater."

"Jack and Ann knew about this?"

"Yes." He suddenly drew something from his pocket and slipped it onto her finger, where it settled cold and heavy and beautiful.

A diamond engagement ring.

Clytie bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears.

"Come on, my love." Englehorn took her hand. "We have a wedding to attend."

She smiled up at him through a haze of happy tears.

That night, no star in the sky, no light in the city, shone brighter than her eyes.

THE END

(A/N: What do you think? You like it? I hope so! I loved writing this! And I know that I will love writing the sequel, as well! Yay! It's coming soon. You had better read and review it, if you know what's good for you! Haha. Anyways, if you want to get in touch with me besides reviewing, look up my e-mail address on my site and e-mail me, b/c my private messages arent' working anymore. I don't know why. Anyways, I hate to end this. I really do. But there's a sequel coming up. And two certain married couples and their friends are going to find out that their adventures are not over… Love and Prayers to you all, Marina (wings))