This chapter is mostly just a little scene with Rhia and David. No big action or anything.
Chapter 16
Rhia sat back in her hammock; it wobbled as she brought her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. David walked over to her and clambered in next to her. She scooted over a little, but didn't really take much notice of him.
"I don't like this Rhi." He said, subconsciously using a new nickname for her. Rhia looked up at the new nickname.
"What don't you like and where'd that come from?" she asked.
"Uh… I don't know. It just slipped out. Do you mind?" He asked.
"No, I like it." Rhia said smiling, as she relaxed a little.
"But I don't like this plan too well. It makes it harder for me to protect you."
"Protect me?"
"Before we left the ship your father asked me to protect you. And well, I gave him my word after a fashion." David said evasively. Rhia leaned into him, half friendly, half teasingly and half coaxingly.
"What exactly did you say?" David shifted nervously.
"You're going to think me ridiculous when I tell you; and you'll hate me."
"Just tell me. I'll decide what I think after I hear it."
"I said… I said I'd protect you with my life. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now. Now I know I really meant it." David said, not looking at her, but flushing all the same. Rhia looked at him rather surprised, and then turned her head, blushing slightly.
"Now you're making me feel like I'm weak." She muttered.
"No, I didn't mean it like that. You're one of the strongest minded and strong willed women I know, besides your mother, whom I don't even know." David said, now looking at her, apologetically. He hadn't meant to hurt her feelings. He knew she had a strong sense of pride and could tell he had done a serious blow to it.
"Rhi, I'm sorry. I really didn't mean it like that." Rhia smiled, at these words. Every time she heard him call her that she got a funny feeling in her gut. But she liked it, it felt nice. It made her feel free, like she could be entirely herself with him. No tough hardcore girl. Like she could actually show some weakness around him; she enjoyed the feeling. She leaned against him subconsciously. He tentatively wrapped an arm around her. She leaned into him a little farther, she felt safe and content around him.
"It's ok, I understand, it's just different. I know that's how my father feels, but he's never said it. It's just different to actually hear it from someone." Rhia said.
"Oh. Well I meant it Rhi, if you need me, for anything. I'll help in anyway I can. I promise." David said. Rhia closed her eyes as she laid her head on his chest.
"Thanks David." She muttered before she drifted off to sleep.
David looked rather surprised at this display but didn't mind it. The creature inside purred contentedly. He rested his chin on her head and his eye fell downcast. A sudden rage built up inside of him as he saw Rhia's cut cheek. They would pay fr the pain they had caused her. It was the only place that hadn't received ointment. But they didn't have time for it and he couldn't move to get it anyway. He didn't want to wake her. But sitting up like this was hard, so very slowly he slid down into the hammock. He didn't want to wake her so he moved ever so slowly. Finally after several tense minutes he managed it and was lying comfortably in the hammock; Rhia half beside him and half on top of him, sleeping contentedly. Soon he too was asleep, dreaming of Rhia.
Below them a couple of hammocks away was Mari. Who lay listening to their conversation and watching them out of the corner of her eye. She remembered a time, about sixteen or seventeen years previously, when she had been like that with Jack. Oh how she missed him. But with any luck she would soon be free of Davy Jones and be back in his arms; and slugging him every time he got drunk.
The site is haveing a few problems so can't do personal thanks today either. Anyway enjoy and please R&R. I hope you like it.
