WHEW! I FINALLY have a long chapter from Silver's POV.
I know I am a few updates behind, but it's better late than never right? ^-^"
I am thinking about switching updates from twice a week to once a week, I've already posted all of my pre-made chapters so every chapter I am coming up with from here on out is fresh out of mah imagination.
Just a warning, this chapter has some violence. (I am actually thinking about changing the rating to mature so I can stop worrying "Is this too adult-ish?")
Silver finally shows a different side, but we all know how that usually works out for the poor guy xD
All characters belong to their respective creators, you know the deal-i-o.
Yer doin' what's best for her. Yer doin' what's best for her…
That's what I kept tellin' myself as I walked away from Ana's room. I thought when we were in t'e galley t'is mornin' we were alone, but that damn fool Zach had been lurkin right above us and heard everyt'ing I was askin' her. I was just tryin' to make the lass feel welcome, nothin' more. The crew would never believe t'at though, they'd t'ink I'm gettin' a soft spot for her. You don't even believe that excuse yerself idiot.
I didn't realize we were gettin' along so well until one of t'e crew members brought it up after lunch. "We'll be out of business soon Cap'n if you keep cuddlin' up to all the customers like you're doin with her majesty" he said. T'at little comment earned him a swift kick in t'e tail and a permanent change in me attitude. Seein' t'e look of hurt on her face when I snapped at her almost made me cave in, but then feelin the stares of t'e crew helped me get over t'at real quick. Just fourteen more days, you've been through worse I told myself as I looked down at my metal fingers.
I just made it to t'e steps down to t'e galley when I heard t'e scream. I wouldn't 'ave heard it if it wasn't for me mechanical hearing, but t'ank goodness I did. Over t'e hum of everyone heading down for dinner I heard it loud and clear.
"JOHHNNN!"
Pure panic set in me bones as I heard t'e fear behind t'at scream. I tore off for Ana's room as fast as I could gainin' t'e stares of t'e crew. My heart dropped when I saw t'at Ana's door had been destroyed, loadin' up my pistol I stepped inside. My eye turned into a scope at t'at point, searchin' everywhere lookin' for her when I noticed t'at her bathroom door was in t'e same shape as her bedroom door. I jumped in t'e bathroom ready to fire until I saw just what position she was in.
Zach had her up against t'e wall inside t'e shower wrapped in nothin' but the curtain. My vision turned red when I saw t'at her eye was already beginnin' to swell and she had blood comin' out of her nose and mouth. What t'e devil has he done to ya lass? When he finally noticed me he moved her in front of him as a shield. T'en he moved one arm around her neck, two around her waist and held a sword up to her throat. Once Ana saw me she tried to wiggle away from Zach, but as soon as she moved he tightened his grip on her even more.
I raised my pistol to aim and take a shot, but quickly realized that was a bad idea. As soon as you fire t'at sword is goin' to do too much damage to Ana. Calmin' my temper, I managed to grit a few words out. "What in t'e hell are ya doin' in here Zach?"
He looked at me wit' a crazed look in his eyes. "I just wanted a quick little taste of the Princess. You know it's not fair to keep her all to yourself Cap'n" Flickin' out his sick tongue he licked Ana all up the side of her neck and face. At this point, t'ere was not'ing but terror in t'ose blue eyes of hers. Tears spilled as she choked out "John, help me pleas-" but before she could finish his hands were back at her throat chokin' what little air she was able to get. I could tell by the scratches on Zach's arm that t'e lass had been fightin' him hard, but she was no match for him. Hell, I can barely take him on myself.
Keepin' me pistol aimed on Zach, I weighed out my options. I had never felt so helpless before, but t'e tables turned when Zach leaned t'e sword against t'e wall next to him. I knew t'at I still couldn't take a shot, he was still close enough to Ana to kill her if he wanted to. Instead I waited for an opening. Ana started to black out, so Zach eased up on his grip and brought his other hand up to caress her face. She was shaking with fear and could hardly stand, but despite being face to face with t'is demon she still managed to look over at me.
"John.." She whispered. Bastard had choked t'e voice out of her.
"Shh…" I soothed. "Yer gonna be okay lass. I'll make sure yer okay."
"Promise?" she mouthed.
Looking her dead in t'e eye, I said "I promise Anastasia."
A huge grin broke out over her bloodied face once I said her full name. Her tears had stopped and in her eyes was renewed, deadly determination. Her attention then moved back to t'e man holdin' her hostage. She started strugglin' a little bit, more in a playful than a desperate way. She knew how to push Zach's buttons and right now she was slammin' every one of 'em to try and get his attention off of me. It worked, but he was still too close to that sword for me to do anythin' drastic. When Ana started to talk, he covered her mouth to silence her and that's when she made her move.
As soon as his fingers closed over her mouth she bit down as hard as she could. Instinctively Zach dropped her to t'e ground, and she was behind me in a second. Tryin' to make sure Ana was out of t'e way I aimed my pistol just in time to block Zach's blasted sword from slicin' my face.
"Oh, so you want to play t'ings t'at way?!" I yelled, switching my pistol into a sword of my own. "Fine by me!"
Right away we started slashin' at each other. I was able to keep Zach from gainin' t'e upper hand, but he was still twice me size and had twice t'e muscle. It wouldn't have mattered if I was an expert swordsman, Zach could have beaten me just because he was bigger. Tryin' to keep him busy, I silently prayed t'at Jim would notice my absence, hear the commotion, anyt'ing that would make him get his blasted ass down here!
Just as I was about to lunge, Zach dodged opposite t'an what I expected and chopped his sword down my left arm. Backed into a corner, I tried my best to find an opening when out of nowhere I hear someone yell "Hey! Over here idiot!". I looked up to the doorway to find Ana with a bow an' arrow in hand. Where t'e hell did she get t'at from? Thankfully, she had managed to get a shirt on so she wasn't completely indecent, but it was enough of a distraction for me to take a stab. Before I could get my sword in position, Zach lunged at Ana.
"You've got a lot of nerve stickin' up for a man that is just going to sell ya off." he hissed.
She took aim "You've got a lot of nerve screwing with a granddaughter of Triton," then let her arrow fly right into his chest.
When her arrow struck, it sounded like a lightenin' strike from hittin' it's target so hard. Zach could only manage a few more steps before he collapsed on t'e ground. As soon as he was down, I ran to Anastasia and gathered her up before she collapsed. Once I held her I was finally able to get a closer look at her injuries. She had light blue bruises on her neck and her left eye t'at would surely be black by tomorrow, her nose was no longer bleeding but her lip had been busted open.
Good job idiot. You had one job, to keep her safe and you couldn't even manage to do t'at for a day. I was in t'e middle of cursin' myself, but as soon as Ana's hand came to my chest my focus was all on her. Cuppin' my hand on t'e side of her face, it took everyt'ing in me to not fall apart. She looked up at me, eyes full of faith instead of fear, then closed t'em as she leaned into my palm. She opened her mouth to speak, but her voice was only a cracked whisper "I'm okay."
I tilted her chin up as carefully as I could, catchin' her gaze wit' mine. "Don't lie to me lass." When she opened her mouth to argue, I put my finger over my mouth to silence her. "Do you promise you're okay?" Her eyes started to water, then she looked down and shook her head 'no'.
"Aye, t'ats what I thought." At this point I could hear t'e footsteps of t'e rest of t'e crew comin' down t'e hallway. In burst Jim and Mr. Otis, swords drawn and at t'e ready. They all were speechless when they were met wit' t'e sight of me carryin' Ana, both of us beat up pretty bad wit' Zach dead on t'e bathroom floor. "Oh now all ya want to join in on t'e fun?! Mr. Otis, call t'e Intergalactic Constable and tell 'em to come take care of t'is thing." I barked, glancing back at Zach's body. "Let t'em know he was attemptin' to murder a member of t'e Clearwater Royal Family, and t'at he was killed in self defense."
"Self defense?" he asked disbelievin' "You mean you aren't the one that killed him?"
"Nope. Turns out Ana here is a pretty decent shot."
All eyes fell to Ana as she jumped out of my arms like nothin'. I could tell by t'e clench in her jaw she was in too much pain to be standin', but she had a point to prove to these men and I might as well let her prove it. For t'e first time since the trip started the men looked down to t'e floor instead of meetin' Ana's cold glare. Well if they didn't have respect for t'e lass, they sure as hell do now. It was almost a funny sight, having 20 some odd grown men practically bow down to this half dressed woman and not a single one darin' a look.
"Well, aren't ya goin' to call t'e constable or not?" I shouted, shakin' everyone out of their silence.
Mr. Otis scrambled out of t'e room to t'e communication radio, "Yes, sir. Right away."
I could see Ana startin' to sway, so I scooped her back up to walk out. "Jim, pack up Ana's t'ing's and bring 'em to my state room. Matt, you and t'e rest of t'e crew start cleanin' up this mess."
Dodgin' past people bein' careful not to move t'e lass too much, I heard one of t'e crew speak up behind me.
"Um, sir? Are you sure t'at it is appropriate to board her highness in your own personal room? Where are you going to sleep?"
I wheeled around to face t'e boy, "The only other room on this ship that locks is my state room. I already told ya the princess is under MY charge. I am responsible for makin' sure she makes it to her destination safely, and we can already assume t'at she isn't safe in here." Levelin my gaze across t'e room, I looked at every man there. "Does anyone else have a problem wit' her highness takin' up residence in t'e capn's quarters?" Everyone looked down, too scared to mutter a word. "T'at's what I thought."
Walking up to the upper deck, a million things started running through my mind. You were supposed to be distancin' yerself, not gettin' even closer. Ana's painful groan pulled me out of my thoughts, and my focus turned to tryin' to get her laid down to rest. We finally reached my door, and I somehow managed to get it unlocked and kicked open. I sat her down as gently as I could down on the bed, but she still cried out in pain.
I kneeled beside the bed, head in my hands trying to think straight. "What can I do to help lass?" It seems like no matter how gentle I am wit' her she's cryin' in pain.
"I'm just tired," she whispered, eyes starting to close.
I looked her over and notice dark red spots on the sides of her white shirt. Looking down at myself I tried to find the source t'inkin maybe I got some on her when I carried her. When I couldn't find anyt'ing, I started to wonder if there was a wound on Ana I hadn't noticed.
"Lass, I need you to wake up for me" When she opened her eyes I asked her, "Is there anyt'ing else that hurts?"
She croaked "my sides" and tried to lift her shirt up to take a look. As soon as she did my stomach dropped. There was a long, deep gash t'at wrapped around her right side from her shoulder to her hip, on the other side t'ere was at least a dozen scratch marks all over her ribs, every wound was open. I could tell when her eyes got wide she didn't realize herself that she was hurt that bad. Right away she started cryin' and she started to panic.
"Oh my god John, I couldn't even feel anything." She croaked.
She tried to sit up but immediately screamed out in pain. Eventually I got her calmed down and she just laid there with tears streaming.
"Ana, listen to me. I'm gonna fix this, I just need you to lay right there and don't move a muscle" Seeing that she was actually gonna stay put, I walked to the next room where my desk was. Pullin out my keys I opened up my bottom right drawer and started searchin'. A life of sailin' was full of equal parts danger and excitement, thankfully throughout my life I've learned different medicines for different injuries. When t'ere is a bounty on yer head, ya learn how to play doctor on yerself.
Grabbin t'e bottle I needed I locked t'e drawer back up and headed to t'e bathroom. Thank goodness I paid extra for t'e bathtub upgrade. Turnin' t'e water to the appropriate temperature, I poured t'e dark green mixture in. Immediately t'e water turned a devilish lookin' green wit' swirls of yellow goin about. After I laid some towels out on t'e counter, I went back to my bedroom to fetch Ana.
By t'e time I had got back in she had already passed out. There's no tellin how much blood washed down t'e drain while she was fightin' wit' Zach. As gently as I could, I tried to wake her up. It took her a few minutes to come to, and when she finally did I set off to work.
"Come on lass, I need ya up and at 'em." When she started fightin me back I tried to reason wit' her. "Please Ana. We need to tend to these wounds and in order to do t'at I need to carry ya in t'e bathroom."
After a few minutes she finally agreed to move, wrapped her arms around my neck and held her breath waitin' for t'e pain to come. Gettin' her up was t'e hardest part, but once she was situated she seemed to calm down. I walked her to t'e bathroom and shut t'e door behind us. Sittin' her up on t'e counter was the easiest place I could t'ink she could handle, she leaned up against t'e wall and shut her eyes in pain. After I turned t'e tub water off, I told her she needed to get in t'e tub and started to walk out and give her some privacy
"John?" she whispered. I stopped and turned to her. I couldn't hardly handle the pitiful sight. "I'm gonna need your help. You know, getting in the tub."
She looked embarrassed, but I couldn't leave her to just fend for herself. What in t'e hell are ya gettin yerself into?! Rubbin' t'e stress out of me eyes for t'e thousandth time today, I figured the sooner she can get some relief the better.
Makin' sure the door was locked for her privacy, I walked over to the counter to help her down. It was definitely slow goin', but once she was standin' she looked steady. Gettin' t'e shirt off would be the most painful, since she had to lift her arms over her head to get it off. Somehow we finagled it, and next t'ing I knew I was carryin' her over to t'e tub. Seein' her face turn a deep scarlet was a bit entertainin', but soon t'e task at hand gained my focus again.
"Why is the water green?" she asked, lookin' wearily from where I held her.
"It's a special medicine I picked up before t'e trip. It is t'e best medicine t'at can help your wounds right now. I do need to warn ya lass t'at it is goin' to hurt alot worse before it gets better."
"Ugh" she sighed, grippin my neck even tighter "I highly doubt it can hurt worse than it is now, but let's just get it over with."
If ya say so. Holdin' her over t'e tub and bein careful not to drop her, I dipped her into t'e swirlin' green potion. Right away Ana screamed out in pain louder than she has since t'is whole t'ing started. She instinctively dug her nails into my back while tryin' to half way climb out of t'e tub.
"Please lass, this will heal yer wounds quicker if you can handle t'e pain just a little bit longer." I whispered in her ear.
She nodded her head, which by now was buried into my shoulder to try and quiet her scream. Eventually she quit tryin' to climb out, loosened her grip, and started to relax against the back of t'e tub. Finally Ana let go completely, sunk down about shoulder deep in t'e water and laid her head back. All of a sudden there was a knock on t'e door.
"Silver! Are you in there? What's goin' on!" Jimbo yelled.
Ana's eyes flew open, "Don't let him in!" she whispered while sinking lower in t'e water.
I went and opened t'e door a crack just to be met wit' a pissed off Jim. I squeezed through and shut t'e door to keep him from comin' in, and tried to start explainin t'e situation he had caught me in. "Look, she had worse wounds t'at we didn't know about until a few minutes ago. I have a special potion t'at can heal her practically instantly, t'at is why she's in t'e bathtub screamin."
Suddenly he looked worried. "Worse wounds? Like what?"
Makin' sure t'e lass couldn't hear me, "Well, it looked like t'at bastard tried to gut her like a damn fish."
When his jaw dropped, I took my chance to explain everyt'ing else. "Look, I know what you're gonna say about Ana stayin' in here. But the fact of t'e matter is there isn't any other secure rooms on t'is ship other than this one. This way Ana get's her privacy away from everyone else, she is alot easier for us to get to and easier for us to watch her."
Jim gave me a sideways glance, "If she's sleepin' in your room, where are you gonna sleep?"
"In her old room. Once t'e constables do their work and get it cleaned out I can sleep down t'ere."
"Mmhm. If you say so, I brought all of her things up. It's all sitting in your office waiting to be put away." He muttered.
Mr. Otis came in t'e room at that moment. "Constables are on their way Cap'n, they should be here in about thirty minutes."
"T'ank you sir. You and Jim go make sure t'e crew doesn't get too riled up. I'll escort Ana once she gets cleaned up."
"Yes sir," he answered as him and Jim marched to carry out their orders.
"John," Ana croaked, I walked back in and couldn't hardly believe w'at I saw. No less than twenty minutes ago Ana had been screamin' in pain, hardly able to hold herself up. Now, she was sittin' up all on her own leanin her head over t'e side of t'e tub lookin all around her, her old spark back in her eye.
"What is this stuff?" she asked, hands skimmin' around t'e water.
"I told ya, it's special medicine." I walked over and knelt next to t'e tub. "Are ya feelin' any better?"
"Much better. Only thing that hurts is my neck, eye and lip."
"Well if you dunk yer head under it'll heal t'at lip up real quick. Not sure about t'e bruises t'ough, wouldn't hurt to try." I walked over to t'e sink to start tendin' to my own wound.
Ana noticed t'e gash, and right away climbed out of t'e tub. Wrappin' a towel around herself, she limped her way to where I was to take a closer look at my arm.
"John, why didn't you tell me you were hurt?"
"Aw, t'is nothin' but a scratch lass. You need to get back in t'at tub, yer injuries are much worse t'an mine anyway."
"Bull." she spit out, "if it was a scratch it wouldn't have soaked half your shirt." She started pullin' out drawers lookin' for provisions to bandage me up. Pullin' out t'e drawer closest to me I showed her where t'e medicine wraps were, and she right away set out to work. While she was washin' the dried up blood off me arm, t'e bathroom door suddenly burst open. In walked Jimbo, jaw droppin' when he fully processed t'e scene before him.
I immediately snatched my arm away from Ana's grasp and tried to block her from Jim's view. "Forgot how ta knock did ya boy?"
"Didn't know I had a reason to knock." he fired back.
"A lady takin' a bath is a damn good reason to knock."
"Yeah, also a damn good reason why you shouldn't be in here either."
I stood t'ere speechless, I couldn't even come up wit' an argument at that point. "You saw how bad Ana was hurt, she couldn't even walk."
"Well, she looks to be doin' better now." he muttered, givin' her a once over while she was peekin around my arm. Seein' Ana grip her towel even tighter from bein' uncomfortable was enough to burn t'e rest of my patience wit' Jimbo. Turnin back to her I asked, "Are you feelin' okay enough to get dressed on yer own? T'e constable will be here soon to talk to you."
"I'm fine," she lied, glancin' at Jim givin' him her death glare. When I started to follow him out she grabbed my arm, "John! I haven't had a chance to bandage your arm yet!"
Yankin' my arm back, I pulled t'e 'heartless cap'n' mask back on and barked "Have ya forgot I'm a grown man Anastasia? Yer wounds are taken care of, now let me go handle my business." I tried to avoid her eyes as much as I could, but I still caught a glimpse of t'e surprise, hurt and confusion when I turned to leave her alone.
Once Jim walked out, I stopped at t'e door to risk one more look at her before I left. T'ere she stood, betrayal written on her face about to burst into tears from my sudden cold attitude. Yer doin' what's best for her. I softened up a bit and whispered, "I'll be right outside on t'e deck waitin' to take ya to t'e constable, if ya need any help I'm just a shout away."
"Yeah.." She muttered. "Okay." I wasn't ready to leave t'e lass in such a sorrowful state, but I sure as hell wasn't ready to deal wit' t'e wrath of Jim Hawkins. He met me right before we opened my stateroom door to walk on t'e deck. Pullin me close, he started to whipser. "Silver, you have to stop with the special treatment towards Ana. I know what you're thinking, but the crew is starting to talk and not in a good way. Everyone is noticing how you treat her better than anyone we've escorted before, you HAVE to stop being so protective of her."
"Damn it Jim you said yerself t'at if we didn't protect her she would be eaten alive!"
"I did, but you're takin' it above and beyond. You're protecting her like she is yours! I hate to tell you but she's not! She is just another paycheck, that is it."
Grittin' me teeth I tried hard to keep my temper under control. "Jim. Yer lookin' way too far into it. She was nearly killed in t'e first twenty-four hours on t'is ship. If that happened to any other one of our customers I would had done t'e same thing."
He rolled his eyes and threw his hands up, "You're a damn idiot if you think I believe that for a second. Look Silver, you know I am on your side, but if you get any closer to her it will turn into a bloodbath that we won't survive. That SHE won't survive. Just think about that."
Lettin' out a long held breath, I slumped my head. If there is one person I didn't have to lie to it was Jimbo. "I know Jimbo, I know."
I couldn't t'ink about t'e pain I would be bringin' to Ana in t'e comin' days. We had sparks from t'e beginnin' and I know my sudden change will hurt her more t'an I can bear, but if t'at means it keeps her safe then I'll just have to suck it up.
Yer doin' what's best for her, that's all t'at matters. Yer doin. What's best. For her.