A Day Out

"You want me to what?"—Melody was clearly confused at this.

"You heard me young lady, you've caused enough trouble, and after all, Alex has been very apologetic for leaving you, besides Jim is your bodyguard and not Alex."—King Eric responded in a strict tone.

"It'll only be for the day dear, it's not like we're asking you to marry him, simply entertain him for the day, Jim will go with you of course."—Queen Ariel responded in a loving tone.

"Besides, Carlotta has a lovely day gown that's simple yet elegant. I think you'll like it very much." Ariel smiled at Melody.

"All right, I guess it can't be helped."—She shrugged as she walked back towards her room, Jim not too far behind.

"I still don't get why I have to accompany you on your little date."—Jim scoffed as he shoved his hands in his pockets, his lips pursed.

"Hmm, are you . . . jealous?"—Melody jabbed him as she began laughing and blushing.

"What!? No, I never said that! Don't start implying stupid things!"—Jim was clearly flustered.

"Hahaha, your face, hahaha!"—Melody couldn't help but laugh at his ridiculous expressions.

"Hmm, fine then, let me just change and we can go." She wiped away her tears of laughter as she closed the door behind her.

"Huh, silly princess."—Jim smiled as he looked at what he was wearing, a simply loose white long-sleeved shirt that exposed his collarbone, the collar folded down, and the end of the shirt tucked into his loose black pants with a pair of dark brown boots with a brass buckle to one side. His hair was brushed, and tied back, though the loose ends of his bangs tended to cover some of his face.

On the other side of the room . . .

"Alright Carlotta, what is this amazing dress that you have for me?"—Melody turned to look at a lovely light yellow gown that was simple yet elegant, with long sleeves that were loose on her arms, a white apron that tied around her small waist, the top of the dress had a square shape that framed out her chest nicely, and the bottom of the dress reached her ankles. Thus her white pumps were easily seen, she tied her hair in a side ponytail and added in a small yellow flower. She smiled at her reflection and opened up her door.

"I'm ready." She smiled at Jim's gawking face.

"Y-you look . . . great."—He smiled as he held out his arm and they were off.

"Now time to pick up your friend date."—Jim scoffed.

"Ya well, I'm not too happy with him either, you now he left me alone when your gang of pirates came to town. So I'm not up for seeing him either, but it's father's orders."—Melody rolled her eyes as Jim sped up the horses.

Knock knock. Melody waited for someone to answer the door, then it finally opened.

"Why hello Melody, nice to see you!"—Alex's mother opened up the door and gave her a great big hug.

"It's nice to see you too Cassandra."—Melody greeted her with ease, since they grew quite close over the years; she was more like Melody's aunt rather than her "possible" future mother-in-law.

"Alex! Get down her NOW! Melody's here!"—She hollered up to the second floor.

"Coming mother!"—Alex ran down the stairs in a simple navy colored suit with a red bow tie.

"Why good morn to you Princess Melody." He bowed; he was a prince after all, his family moved some time ago and liked the scenery much more than they had anticipated, but that is another story.

"Hello Prince Alex."—Melody bowed as she turned towards Jim, who was being gawked at by all the maids.

"I see Mr. Hawkins is here with you."—Alex didn't look too happy about Jim's presence.

"Yes, well he is my bodyguard."—Melody protested as she looked to see his response.

"O-of course."—Alex blushed slightly as Melody said her farewells and went to sit next to Jim in the carriage. Alex jumped into the back of the carriage, not all too surprised that she was still very upset with him.

"Where to Princess?"—Jim looked at Melody with loving eyes.

"Hmm, let's go to that seaside restaurant!"—Melody smiled brilliantly.

"Sure, but I'm not all together aware of it's exact location."—Jim scratched the back of his head.

"Just follow the signs, the road we're taking should take us there in less than fifteen minutes."—Melody pointed to the signs that pointed what was where.

"Well that's convenient."—Jim laughed as he whipped the horses, and they were off.

"Another round Rudolph!"—Melody banged her fist on the table.

"Yes Princess."—Rudolph nodded as he brought another round of clams and oysters to the table.

"For a princess, you sure can eat."—Jim smiled as he helped Melody polish off another platter of seafood. Alex looked as though he was going to barf.

"Hey Alex, are you alright?" Jim raised an eyebrow as he tried not to laugh.

"Fine, I just need to use the . . . blurr-bathroom."—Alex stood and ran towards the men's restroom.

"That boy sure can't hold down his seafood too well."—Jim scoffed and began laughing.

"Ya well, that's his problem, I still don't know why he's trying to eat it when he clearly hates it."—Melody shrugged as she sucked out the crabmeat from a crab leg. Jim swallowed hard, feeling slightly turned on by such an engulfing gesture.

"Wha'?" Melody looked at him puzzled, sucking each finger to get off all the juices from the sweet crabmeat.

"N-nothing."—Jim blushed as he took another shot of gin.

"Hey bartender, can I get another?"—Jim slammed his shot glass down.

"Yes sir! I've never seen a man take his gin so easily."—The bartender was clearly impressed.

"Well what can I say, being around my coworkers seems to have rubbed off on me a bit."—Jim smiled, hearing Melody giggling in the background.

"Ughh, I think I'm going to go outside for fresh air."—Alex walked past them, not wanting to admit that he'd clearly lost the game. With Jim's arm around Melody, and the two of them clearly getting along so well, he left a message with the waiter, hailed a carriage and left.

"Excuse me, Madame Princess. That young fellow that was just in here with you said he was going home, since he wasn't feeling too well. He paid your bill, and even left enough for desserts and another round of drinks for the gentleman."—The waiter smiled shyly.

"Hu thought he'd never leave."—Melody smiled devilishly.

"Drinks are on me boys!" She stood as every man cheered.

"Well that's generous of you."—Jim teased, clearly starting to sound slightly buzzed.

"Hmm, it's the least I can do for my fellow countrymen."—Melody smiled.

"Whoooouuuhh! I am stuffed!"—Jim somewhat slurred as they got to the carriage, the sun was setting, and Melody was managing to help him along.

"Hey, let's go to the ocean, we're close enough, I can even drive if you want."—Melody offered as she helped him up.

"Sure, why not?"—Jim shrugged.

"Ok, but be on your best behavior."—Melody gave him a stern look.

"Hmph, I can't make too many promises."—Jim rolled his eyes as he looked away.

"Good enough for me."—Melody shrugged as she whipped the horses, and they were off, Jim was trying to maintain his balance.

"Ahh, nothing like an evening dip!"—Melody splashed around in the water in her undergarments.

"What, not coming in?" She teased.

"Alright, I guess I'm sober enough now."—Jim scoffed as he began stripping.

"Hmm? Not shy are we?"—Melody provoked as she swam away from him, knowing what would come next.

"Why you!"—Jim jumped into the water quickly.

"You'd better swim fast, 'cause I'm gonna get you!" He swam as fast as he could, but Melody was a talented swimmer.

"Damn, girl's fast." Jim huffed as he swam faster, dove under the water and saw a glimpse of black hair fly past him. He smiled as he swam after her, finally catching up to her in what looked like a small cave. He looked around and noticed the water looked as though there were shimmering lights sitting atop the water.

"Amazing isn't it? I discovered this when I turned fourteen. It was after dinnertime and I snuck off at twilight to find this cave, where the openings at the top create what look light small sparkling lights that reflect off the water. I fell in love with this place and came every night. But honestly, I would never bring anyone with me, I never even showed my parents this place because it was so special to me."—Melody smiled brilliantly as she tilted her head to the side, awaiting his response, but he was speechless for a moment.

"So keep it a secret will you?" She asked kindly as she placed her index finger over her lips, closed her eyes and smiled.

"Of course, Princess."—Jim smiled at her, wanting nothing more than to feel her close to him.

"Hmm, I thought you'd say that. Call me Melody would you? Jim."—Melody smirked as she jumped into the water and tugged at his ponytail from behind as he tried to turn towards her, but he missed, just then she swam to his other side and repeated the same action.

"Hey!"—Jim began to laugh as he dove under the water and caught her by the arm. He pulled her in close before they both surfaced. His lips were so close to hers, he could feel her breathing heavily, her breathes were becoming more shaky and unsteady with each passing second. His hand rose to brush her bangs out of her face as they both smiled at each other. Just an inch away from kissing her again, those sweet lips, those beautiful eyes, this soft hair, I want it all to be mine. Jim thought as he caressed her face, and found himself leaning forward to kiss her, a gentle sweet kiss, nothing more, until Melody grabbed the back of his head and pulled him into her. This kiss was stronger, more passionate, and somewhat forceful, her lips licked his as he opened his mouth and Melody's tongue dove in, Jim groaned as Melody began to moan lightly when his hands roamed over her body.

"Hnn, Jim."—Melody pulled away for breathing purposes.

"Sorry, I have to breathe sometimes." She teased as she pulled away and swam towards the sandy shore in order to get out of the water and begin drying off.

"Hmm, I guess that's a good excuse."—Jim smiled as he dipped half his face under the water and made bubbles appear from his harsh breathing. He then swam up to shore and followed Melody out of the cave and back to their belongings.

"Well, we should get back now, before I get into more trouble than I can handle."—Melody smiled shyly as she quickly dressed.

"Yeah, I guess you're right."—Jim ran his fingers through his wet hair as he quickly dressed and led Melody back to her room.

"Melody, where have you gone off to now child!"—Carlotta hollered out Melody's name numerous times only to open her door and find her fast asleep.

"Oh my, she was here all along." Carlotta smiled as she left and closed the door gently behind her. Though she didn't notice that Jim was missing. He was taking a quick bath before getting into bed, since Melody had just finished taking one not to long ago.

"Huhh, well good night . . . Melody."—Jim gently kissed her forehead as she smiled in her sleep and he went off to his small cot.

"That was some day out Melody. Hmm, I think I'm gonna call you Mel. Hmm, night Mel." He turned over and fell fast asleep.

"Good night, Jim."—Melody breathed out as she continued to dream about a princely character, which in real life was a pirate, handsome and brave. She wanted to be by his side, going out and seeing the world with him, but she knew even this dream would be impossible to achieve, but she'd never give up she was too stubborn to do so.