Kitty" Year-Round

Part XI: Under the Light of the Etherium

By Mia LeighArc

Amelia was standing on the deck, staring out into the blank etherium, and thinking about how much she missed Arrow. She thought back to the days when she would laugh and joke with Arrow all day. The days when she saw his bright smile every time, they were about to set sail. Amelia thought back on the day it all happened, the day they left the academy. He stood up for her in the most impressive way, saying "Admiral, if Amelia goes, I go." "And that was it," Amelia thought fondly.

"Our future was laid out in front of us and we still managed to keep everything under control." She thought as she remembered her dear friend. She missed their cadet years when they would play practical jokes on each other. Amelia smiled as she remembered one year, she slipped half dozen barnacles in his stew. A week later he poured bullyadous slime on her bed while she was sleeping.

"I got him back for that one." Amelia thought. Despite her smile over the memories, Amelia couldn't stop the pain of the guilt that hit her heart. "If only I had checked the lifelines myself," she thought.

"Then he could still be alive. Jim Hawkins had turned out to be a great sailor, but at the time he was still new and inexperienced. I never should have left something important to a young sailor."

As soon as she had seen the crew, the type of people she would be sailing with, she should have turned down the voyage. Then Arrow would be alive and well. It's the thought that followed her on every voyage. She knew the danger and chose to place both their lives in jeopardy. And Arrow had paid for it.

"I didn't know they would mutiny though," Amelia argued with herself.

"I didn't know that they would go to such lengths to achieve their goal."

"Yes, you did," Amelia's inner demon argued.

"You even commented to Delbert on his stupidity for mentioning a treasure map in front of this crew. You knew the risk, and you didn't care."

Amelia looked out into the etherium with soft tears in her eyes. If she had never gone on the voyage, she would have never felt the strongest feeling she's ever known, but Arrow would be alive now. Amelia's heart was breaking slowly. One part was filled with love and joy. The other was dying of pain and guilt.

Arrow's hat close to her chest, the ship finally got to port, and the crew began deciding to land when a familiar voice came from behind her. It was Boar like first mate.

"I believe we're ready to dock, Captain." he said crisply. Amelia turned to find the man standing at attention as usual, saluting her as she looked up at him. "Does he ever come down off that proper podium of his?" Amelia mused to herself.

"At ease, Mr. Boris." Amelia said all-business. He loosened his stance, but it wasn't much of an improvement. He leaned against the railing and looked out into the spaceport. Amelia contemplated her next question carefully. Boris didn't seem like the type of man who was much for idle chat. However, she had a problem and she needed someone to talk too. Whether he liked to talk or not, he was going to have to know, damnit.

"May I ask you a personal question Mr Boris?" She asked carefully. He simply nodded to her politely.

"Have you ever been in love Mr. Boris?" She could tell she had surprised him with her sudden, and rather personal, question. But, true to form, Boris answered in h replies.

"Aye, Captain. Indeed, I have."

"I'm just curious, what was it like for you?" Amelia watched the man carefully. She knew what she was asking wasn't easy and personal too.

"Well, my wife knew many things, but fear was never one of them...She always saw the good in people and she never once gave up on me." Amelia was shocked through such a rough exterior could have a soft side. She smiled.

"Do you have any children Mr. Boris?" He smiled widely.

"Of, course." He said happily as he pulled out a small booklet filled with pictures of his family that he carried everywhere.

"Here's Brent my oldest, he's turning 12 in December, Steven his brother who's turning 7 a few months after that, and that there's my little girl Tabitha, she's just 4 years old." Boris looked happy to share these mementos with Amelia. He turned the page to reveal a very pretty woman, rhino looking like Boris was. He looked with love in his eyes as he continued.

"And this is my wife, Teresa."

"Do you ever miss her Mr. Boris? Your wife, that is." Amelia started to think she was prying into his business and walking into an emotional minefield, but he kept ta

"Of course, I do Captain, I loved her very much, but not a day goes by when I don't think of her. I'll always know she'll be here in my heart." Boris held the booklet and kissed his wife's picture. Amelia smiled at the first mate and thanked him for talking with her. She knew that she loved Delbert. But for her, emotions and feelings weren't always easily shared.

"Maybe there is a way that I can show him instead," Amelia thought. Debating her best course of action, she disappeared down the gangplank, followed by a few crew members who carried the rest of her things to Delbert's house.

"You know, I could always help clean up that pig sty of a library. If that isn't love. I don't know what is." She mused to herself. A light of hope shined as she laughed at the thought and headed from the spaceport in the direction of Delbert's.

XXX

"Do you really think she'll like it Sarah? I'm still a little skeptical about all this." Delbert said as adjusted the holographic star pattern projected on the ceiling of his bedroom. He also added halo blinds as well to set the mood. "I'm sure she'll love it; this is what she wanted, right?" Sarah said as examined his work and looked at him for a moment.

"Well, she did say that she wished she could witness the splendor of the etherium every night. I can't help but think there's something missing." He looked around for a picture of the two of them he had planned to hang but and couldn't find it.

"What is it?" Sarah said helping him look.

"I could've sworn that was there a minute ago...I wonder where I put it." Delbert said under his breath, but not loud enough for Sarah to hear. He rummaged through his pockets, finding the small box still where he left it. He finally found what he was looking for and thought of where to hang it.

"Ah, there it is. Now...where to put it?" He said to no one in particular. She smiled at him while he wasn't looking. He was so determined to impress Amelia that some just too cute. He put it up and looked up at the clock. Quarter to six, she'd be there any minute. He had to think fast. What was he going to wear? He ran to his closest tossing things aside, Sarah just laughed. Amelia walked into Delbert's house, surprised to see Delbert somewhat dressed up. Casual, but not his usual and defiantly not what she had expected. He hugged her tightly, but not roughly and gave her a loving kiss. This was her home and she had someone to come home too now; She still couldn't have known one thing though, if this was her first night, she was going to spend with him alone in months, tonight was going to be a special night...she just knew it.

"So how was your voyage dear?" He said as he loosened his grip and touched her cheek with his finger. Sarah smiled at her and gave her a hug as well.

"I'll tell you all about it at dinner." She said as she headed upstairs to put her bags in her bedroom.

XXX

At the Benbow Inn, the three of them sat finishing what was left their dinner while Amelia told her friends of her recent adventures.

"And in the nick of time Mr. Quin finally got hold of his weapon and blasted them all! Why the look on Mr. Boris's face was enough to make the whole crew cry out, but Mr Cornelius was the one who really started the whole thing...It almost reminded me of my cadet days." Sarah and Delbert sat laughing along with Amelia and passing smiles at each other now and then.

"It really was the most fun I've had in a long time." Amelia continued, her voice trailing off into something else. Sarah picked up their plates and walked into the kitchen and left the two of them alone. There was an odd silence as they smiled at each other, and Delbert reached across the table and took Amelia's hand, smiled, and kissed the back of it softly. She blushed slightly, feeling the warmth of his gaze fill her with joy. It came as a surprise to him after all this time they'd known each other, although he was starting to grow used to it when they had a moment alone.

"You know...I... I was wondering... if you might be more...ah- hem...comfortable sleeping in...er...my room from now on...that is...um... if it's okay with you..."Amelia slightly wrapped her fingers in his, leaving him a kiss on the cheek in response.

"What exactly are you suggesting, Doctor?" He allowed himself a moment to get caught up in her gaze, and then raised an eyebrow slyly.

"Well, I know you have been using the room next to mine, but perhaps you could...er...I could...that is...we could...umm..." Amelia smirked at him as he attempted, she didn't want to embarrass him more than he already did.

"I'll admit that sounds like a wonderful idea...I've slept alone for a long time, perhaps too long. Plus we won't have to worry about privacy anymore when we make love." Delbert couldn't look her strait in the face at that comment, he was too nervous help that the room was suddenly a lot warmer than usual and Amelia was smiling at him somewhat suggestively. She lifted her wine glass half full and made a toast

"I've missed you so much while you were on voyage and I think the time is right to show you." He thought encouragingly to himself.

"To us." She said as Delbert lifted his glass to hers and without thinking linked their wrists as would a couple at their wedding. Seconds later Sarah finally came out dessert for the three of them. Delbert quickly declined the offer saying

"It's getting late." Delbert said kindly and Amelia adding,

"I still need to unpack my things from the voyage...we really should be going." Amelia said with a smile. Sarah looked slightly confused at their quick departure, but she wished her friends goodbye as the couple entered Delbert's carriage. Sarah could sense a little fit of laughter growing inside because of how the night's events had turned out. It was getting late herself she needed to get some sleep.

Upon entering the thick mahogany door, both Amelia and Delbert looked at each other nervously, but Delbert broke the silence, so he felt less inept than he usually at her warmly.

"Welcome home, Amelia." She looked around, realizing that his house never once before had seemed so large. She was utterly amazed by it. Delbert took her coat and for a moment, just staring at her.

"She truly is a beauty beyond words" he thought as he admired her.

"I just know tonight will be special..." Delbert thought as walked up to her and turned her around so she faced him.

"Come here, I have something to show you." Delbert said with built up excitement. Amelia followed as he covered up her eyes and lead her upstairs to his bedroom, pausing at the door. He opened the door and seeing as how the moon shone just enough light into the room that he could see where he was going without running into anything. Amelia took a breathed anticipation when Delbert let go so, she could see her surprise. She looked in the room to reveal the projected etherium across the ceiling. Planets, nebula, constellations in every direction, there was something new and magical to be seen.

"Delbert obviously spent a lot of time on this" She thought to herself.

"It's wonderful...he's wonderful." She wanted to let him know how much she appreciated all his hard work, but she soon found she couldn't bring herself to say it. and kissed him on the cheek but tried not to cry remembering her dear friend Arrow.

"Well, do you like it?" Amelia nodded warmly but held back her tears. Tears of joy. Tears of pain. She held them back from Delbert. He noticed she looked sad, he tried to pull her close to him, but she pulled away and sat on the bed with her head in her hands. Delbert leaned down so he was looking her directly in the eye.

"Amelia honey, what's the matter?" Amelia didn't respond, she just stared at him as she fought back her sadness, but realized the feeling was too overwhelming to bare.

"I miss Arrow...he was my best friend... I...I... I... miss him so much..." she said with tears in her eyes. Delbert looked her strait in the eye and held her cheek in his hand. She was startled when he put a finger under her chin to see his loving expression.

"Amelia, you don't have to worry about feeling lonely without Arrow. I'll always be with you, no matter how far you are." Delbert saw that she in turn still wasn't convinced.

"How can you be with me, unless we're together?" Delbert was baffled by this; he opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out in response. Amelia couldn't understand why he questioned what to say to break away from the awkwardness.

"Delbert, please say something." Amelia pleaded him with her eyes. Then she noticed something, she now noticed the deepest longing in his eyes as he looked at her but hadn't said anything in five whole minutes; she was worried that she had turned the whole evening into a mess. Amelia looked at him, but he looked away now, trying to figure out how he had gone wrong in the past ten minutes. He sat against the side of the bed with his head in his hands. He got out his pocket watch, but this had holographic images of the two of them projected in the air on a loop. Him comforting her when Arrow died, him caring for her on Treasure Planet, their heated embrace upon surviving the voyage, and some steamy memories between the two of them over the course of their relationship. He smiled warmly at the memories he saw. Amelia saw this and came to sit next to him wrapping her arms around him affectionately. He looked up at her and smiled weakly, still feeling a bit out of place and quite inept with his words.

"This is how…" he said as he showed her the loop of holograms again, sighing in happy memories.

"The locket I gave you does the same thing. I never got to show you that function, I had hoped you would find out sooner than later." Delbert said, trailing off before he got silent again. Amelia was stunned, she had left it at home, not wanting to misplace it because it had meant so much to her. Even just a locket which she thought was empty, it had reminded her so much of the one her mother wore that she loved it without even realizing its full function. She felt instantly embarrassed.

"I've ruined everything!" She thought to herself with a grimace.

Amelia sighed as she walked to the window and opened it. It was nice outside, and a cool breeze was blowing through the dry Montressor air. Amelia was cold already, but she wished Delbert would take his jacket off and relax. He hadn't looked fully relaxed all day. Perhaps he had something on his mind.

"It's hot in here isn't it?" Amelia said trying not to show she was cold. Doppler noticed this and took his jacket off so she could be warmer, hoping she might forgive him of his silence. He took his shoes off and looked up at his beauty. He got up from the bed and came up behind her wrapping his jacket around her shoulders. She jumped in response.

"Had he noticed that I was shivering?" She thought.

"Now he'll think that I'm trying to force him to talk or maybe something worse!" Amelia thought horrified.

Delbert on the other hand stood behind her and looked at the stars as she pulled his coat closer to her body.

"Sorry...I-thought you'd known. I should've shown you before." Delbert finally said. Amelia hushed him.

"Delbert, please... I left it here to keep it safe. Had I realized; it would've been most helpful." Amelia said trying to turn around, but Delbert stopped her by wrapping his arms around her waist very slowly. Amelia felt sudden burst of excitement that didn't seem to go away. Maybe they both were feeling it because she noticed that he started babbling again. Amelia freed herself from his grip and put a finger to his lips, but he just took her in his arms and held her close as if by instinct. Amelia smiled slyly to no one from over his shoulder when she slipped his jacket from off of her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. He looked surprised at her, then she started unbuttoning his vest and letting that all fall on the floor as well. When she tried to take his shirt, he stopped her and stepped back. Delbert nervously.

"Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels like an eager teenager right now. "Amelia bit her lip and then slowly smiled back.

"No, you're not. It has been a while since I have felt like this. I have missed this heat between us, and I've missed you so much." Walking slowly, Delbert moved up to Amelia. Gently, he raised his hand and brushed her cheek with his fingers. With a small sound, Amelia pulled her eyes away. Looking at her shivering shoulders, Delbert stepped back.

"We don't have to do this if you don't want to. I won't hurt you, Amelia. I can't. Nor could I let anyone else hurt you ever again" he said looking at her lovingly. Regaining her composure, Amelia smiled shyly.

"No, I do want to, so badly.…Please Delbert, I don't want to stop."

Delbert had Amelia in a very loving embrace, her slender body snuggled with his, when he stopped to look at her. Amelia looked back at him, determination in her gaze softly to commemorate the loving embrace that soon followed as his hands fought to decide on a proper place to go. As soon as he reached for her back, he closed the gap she made between them and pulled her closer.

Delbert gently placed Amelia on the bed and wherever her body went along the way, he followed. Amelia smiled warmly as she ran her bare fingers along his back with sensuous moan. A flash of her bare shoulders and back. A moonlit embrace. Slowly their lips touch. He kissed her shoulder, the one she injured. She caressed his back and shoulders. The sound of rain hitting the ground from the open window.

Amelia wanted to try make it fun, but Delbert on the other paw, wasn't in the mood for games; he was more in the mood for... umm...er...well, you know.

"Oh Delbert, I've missed you so much that I could be happy like this all night. You're all I could think about for months!" Amelia said smirking once again at him.

"I can keep up with you; I always have. The question is can you keep up with me with how much I've missed you? You're all I've thought about since I met you!" Delbert whispered with love in his voice, trailing kisses slowly up and down her neck. She groaned in response, feeling breathless.

"It's not me I'm worried about." Amelia said plainly with laughter in her voice. And with that they spent the rest of the night making love to each other under the light of the etherium…

When he was sleeping early in the morning, Amelia awoke, went to tidy the library a bit and quickly snuck back in to sit on the bed watching her sweet lover lost in a dream that she was happy to live in. He mumbled something but she just stared at him lovingly and brushed his cheek with her hand softly. Delbert didn't stir. Amelia bent down and kissed his lips in the most loving way possible and whispered in his ear. She bit her lip, fighting the urge, but in the end the urge won.

"I love you." Amelia finally admitted out load about this man she was crazy- in-love with. She crawled back into bed next to him and dozed off feeling his warmth surrounding her like light to darkness. She loved him very much, and now it was beginning to show in the features of her face.

"I love you too." He whispered back in her ear half asleep but awake enough to have heard what she said. He kissed the back of her neck sweetly & wrapped his arms closer around her. She felt herself blush, hearing his words and the reality it brought forth for her. They were in love and not only sharing the same roof anymore but sharing the same bed now every night. It wasn't just for love making anymore, this was beginning to grow into something more than simple physical attraction, but true love as well. Her heart skipped a beat at the thought. She was in love and she knew without a doubt now that he loved her enough to be patient with her.