A Day at Sea

"I would like to go out on your ship today day."—Melody questioned her father, as he seemed to be rather busy while looking over documents.

"Hmm? What, today? Oh Melody, I can't today, there's too much to do."—King Eric sighed with frustration as he went back to his work.

"Ok, then can I go on Jim's ship?"—Melody's eyes brightened as her father stopped what he was doing and looked up at her.

"What, I suppose? Only if he's fine with it."—King Eric shrugged as he signed one document and moved on to the next.

"Alright! Ah-hem, I mean, wonderful I'll go let Jim know."—Melody skipped away as her father smiled.

"Jim!"—Melody called out as Jim came from behind the door and rested his hand on his forehead.

"I guess I don't really have a say in this if the King approves."—Jim shook his head as he laughed.

"Well, let's get to it then."—Jim grabbed her arm as they walked towards the beach.

"Let's set sail gentlemen!"—Jim hollered out as the crew readied for a day at sea.

"I'm so excited!"—Melody cheered as she looked over the ship into the ocean.

"It's great isn't it? The wind in your hair, the smell of the sea! It's the best feeling in the world!"—Jim exclaimed as they both smiled at each other and looked out at the sea, looking at the dolphins jumping up out of the water.

"Wow, there's nothing like a day out at sea."—Melody looked over at the crew and felt somewhat guilty for not helping.

"Don't worry about it, you're the princess remember?"—Jim pated her head as she smiled and nodded.

"Ok, at least let me help in the kitchen."—Melody looked up at him earnestly.

"Sure thing."—Jim smiled as he led her below deck.

"Ok, so here's the kitchen, pretty simple, but everything you could ever need to cook is here."—Jim showed Melody the basic layout of the kitchen. Melody nodded her head as she looked around and decided on Italian food for lunch. And began to cook as Jim went back to the upper deck as he looked out at the grand ocean and wondered if anything interesting would happen. Once he realized he was ordered to protect the princess at all times, and not to simply embark on wild adventures, he told his pilot to stay away from any troublesome areas while at sea. He simply nodded his head as he continued to sail west.

"Lunch is ready!" –Melody rang the chow bell as the entire crew gathered on deck and they sat down, thanked her for the meal and ate the delicious homemade chicken Alfredo.

"Man Mel, I didn't know you could cook!"—Jim managed to say in between bites.

"Why thank you Jim, I'm glad you like it so much."—Melody smiled as she ate her meal in a ladylike manor.

As they continued eating and chatting, Melody listened to various stories being told about the adventures Jim and his crew have been on, none of course mentioning where he was really from. The more Melody heard these tales, the more she wished for freedom, a chance to go out and see the world.

"Huhh, that sounds like so much fun. I wish I was free to go out and see the world."—Melody sighed as she looked at her empty bowl, wishing she wasn't a princess, but a pirate.

"Maybe someday Mel, but you know you have big responsibilities, none that even I'd be able to uphold. You should be honored really, I wish someone trusted me enough to give me an entire country."—Jim looked off to the side as he sighed inwardly.

"It wasn't given to me Jim, I was simply born into this lifestyle."—Melody rose as she excused herself and took her plate and things to the kitchen to wash it, Jim followed suit.

"Hey Mel, about what I said earlier, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it the way it came out; I've just never had it

good like you do. I guess I'm jealous is all."—Jim ran his fingers through his hair as he looked to the ground.

"It's alright Jim, I know what you meant. And I don't mean to sound like a spoiled princess, I just am jealous of you in a way, you get to go out and explore, find adventure. I wish I had that, I know it's selfish of me, and it's not like I want to ignore my obligations, I just want more I guess. Oh, maybe I am selfish."—Melody pushed her hair back as she fell onto a chair, clearly frustrated with herself.

"Hey, it's ok to be selfish, we're only human right?"—Jim rested his hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him with a smile.

"Yeah, I guess we are."—Melody smiled as Jim cupped her face with his hand; he knelt down in front of her and gave her one of his breathtaking earnest smiles.

She loved the way he smiled at her like that, as if they were the only two people in the entire world.

"Jim, if I told you that I never want you to leave me, would you think I'm a spoiled, selfish princess?"—Melody asked honestly.

"No, because I'd never want another man by your side."—Jim smiled as he leaned his forehead against hers.

"Good, because neither do I."—Melody kissed him on the nose as he smiled brilliantly.

"I wouldn't want it any other way."—Jim kissed her on the lips gently.

"Captain, you may want to see this."—One of the first mates got the attention of Jim as he pulled away suddenly, before looking back at Melody who in tern nodded her head and he went back on deck to find the beautiful blue sky turn dark gray, nearly black, as storm clouds filled the skies, the sun clearly gone, and not a bird in sight.

"Oh just what I need."—Jim sighed as he paced, giving orders and continued encouraging the men to keep the ship steady, suddenly he remembered one person he hadn't checked on yet.

"Melody."—The name escaped his lips as he ran below deck to check on her.

"Melody!"—Jim yelled out as he opened the kitchen door and saw she'd disappeared.

"Mel? Mel! Where are you?"—Jim looked around, but she was nowhere to be found.

"Jim!"—Melody cried out as Jim ran down the hall to find Melody in what seemed to be pirate attire. A tight bodice with a loose white shirt underneath, the sleeves ruffled, she also wore skintight dark brown pants and knee high black boots with a gold buckle on the side of each. Her hair was pulled back by a dark ruby red and black-stripped bandana and she wore two large gold hoop earrings.

"Mel, what are you wearing?"—Jim asked, as he looked her over, making note that pirate clothes suited her well.

"Well, I was just . . . I mean, I was curious is all, and I guess I stumbled across this closet with pirate clothes and I wanted to try them on. I'm sorry Jim, I'll put them back."—Melody rubbed the back of her head, since she was trying to avoid eye contact; she never noticed the sly smile across his face.

"No, don't, they look good on you. Keep them."—Jim walked up to her and pulled her in by the hip.

"Jim!"—Melody smacked him playfully on the shoulder as they both chuckled.

"Well, unfortunately, we can't take this any further."—Jim sighed as he rested his head against hers.

"Why's that?"—Melody questioned.

"There's a huge storm outside, and I wanted to make sure you were alright."—Jim brushed his fingers over her curved bangs, as he looked her face over.

"I'm fine, I'd actually like to see it, is that alright if I go up on deck?"—Melody questioned, clearly excited about all the action-taking place on deck.

"Uh, I don't know if that's the best idea."—Jim looked around to see if anyone was in the hall.

"Jim please."—Melody begged as she pouted, making her eyes sparkle.

"Ugh, fine, but stay by my side, and don't do anything reckless."—Jim grabbed her arm as they rushed up on deck, where all hell was breaking loose.

"Wow."—Melody looked around, it seemed as though half the ocean was now on deck, along with bodies being tossed this way and that. Men were screaming at each other to steady themselves, but not a hint of fear was recognizable.

"Alright, we're keeping an eye on things, so don't get any ideas of helping, alright? Remember what I said."—Jim looked at her sternly.

"Yeah, sure Jim."—Melody looked around and wondered what had gotten her grandfather into such a mood as to make the ocean so violent.

Jim continued to order the men to steady the boat, and though he was doing his best to keep everyone calm, he was unable to control all that was going around him. Thus, he missed a single step and slipped, the one phrase she listened in on was,

"MAN OVERBOARD!"

Melody shrieked as she, without thinking she jumped over board and as soon as she hit the water, she asked to be given a tail and the ability to breathe under water, and it was granted to her. She swam as fast as her tail could carry her as she went deeper and deeper until she finally came across Jim's nearly lifeless body.

"Jim!"—Melody called out as he simply continued to sink, though she was reaching for him, she couldn't quite reach him.

"JIM!"—Melody cried out as his eyes seemed to blink open slowly, suddenly he realized what was going on, he went to say her name, but water filled his mouth, then he reached out to her and began swimming towards her. Once she reached him, she gave him a breathe of air as he nodded and she pulled him up, he hadn't realized that something was fishy. Once they got to surface, Melody swam his towards the ship.

"I've got Jim, throw down a rope!"—Melody hollered out as the crew threw the rope over the ship and Jim caught it.

"Let's go!"—Jim pulled as her, but she shook her head.

"You first."—She encouraged.

"No! Not without you!"—Jim refused.

"Jim, trust me."—Melody coaxed him as he finally agreed, seeing she was too stubborn to allow him to get his way.

Once Jim was on the ship, and by the time they threw the rope down again, Melody was already deep under the sea as she called out for her grandfather, who appeared suddenly.

"Grandfather, why? Why is the ocean like this?"—Melody asked.

"There must be a balance for nature, and there needs to be an understanding of how the sea is unpredictable."—King Triton placed his strong hand on Melody's small shoulder.

"Alright, but please, at least let us get to shore safely."—Melody pleaded.

"Fine, but remember, come down to visit me every so often."—King Triton smiled at her as she nodded suddenly he disappeared.

"Thank you grandfather."—As Melody swam to surface, finding the rope as she transformed back and pulled on the rope as she held on as they pulled her in.

"Melody!"—Jim ran towards her as he held her close, at the brink of tears.

"Jim, I'm alright."—Melody patted him on the back as he led her below deck as he helped her walk into the washroom to get dried off.

"You feeling ok?"—Jim asked as he looked at her slender body, only covered by a towel behind a thin sheer curtain.

"I'm fine Jim, what about you?"—She turned her head toward him, though she couldn't see his eyes, she could feel them on her.

"I-I'm fine."—Jim swallowed hard as he undressed, dried himself off and was beginning to put on fresh clothes as he suddenly heard the curtain being pulled back as he turned to see Melody in front of him, only in her undergarments.

"Sorry, I just remembered I left my clothes out here."—Melody smiled shyly as she went to reach for her clothes, Jim watched every move she made intensely.

"Trust me, there's no need to apologize, you look perfectly delectable in anything you wear, or anything you don't wear for that matter."—Jim raised his eyebrow as his eyes practically undressed her.

"Jim!"—Melody smacked him as he sniveled out in pain and laughed.

"What? It's true."—Jim shrugged as he got an idea; he wrapped his arms around her as he pulled her on his lap and kissed her over and over again all over her face, working his way down her neck and sucking lightly, and beginning to nip as Melody began to moan.

"Once again, you're wearing the least amount of clothing and I want to rip it all off you."—Jim responded in a husky voice.

"Jim."—Melody whimpered as she leaned her head back, exposing not only her neck, but also her chest.

"Melody."—Jim spoke against her skin as they made eye contact, both their eyes glazed over with lust, Melody turned around to face him and began to kiss him, each time she pulled away she'd pull his lips with her as she kissed him harder, getting a loud groan from him. He'd moaned loudly when she stuck her tongue in and tasted the sea, his hands went to her hair as hers grasped his face. Before they knew it, things were getting very heated, and their thin undergarments felt too thick, they wanted skin to skin contact, but when Melody had realized how carnal she'd been behaving, she pulled away. She was standing in the corner as she looked away, feeling ashamed.

"Jim, I'm sorry, I just can't."—Melody's voice quivered as her eyes welled up with tears.

"Damn, I'm really sorry Mel, I didn't mean for it go get like this."—Jim ran his fingers through his hair as he finished dressing himself.

"Please excuse me."—Jim stood as he walked out and went into a private room, locked the door and relieved himself in the bathroom.

Melody dressed herself as she knocked on his door to find him much calmer.

"Hey."—She looked up at him.

"Hey."—Jim smiled, somewhat embarrassed.

"I'm sorry."—They both started, looked at each other and laughed.

"Let's take this a little slower?"—Melody asked as Jim nodded his head.

"I'd like you to speak with my father."—Melody started, though Jim's expression turned solemn.

"About?"—Jim raised an eyebrow.

"Well how about we talk to him together? About us?"—Melody asked as she held his hands.

"Um, everything about us?"—Jim asked, somewhat worried.

"NO!"—Melody pulled away.

"Just about us never being apart. Jim, I want you to be with me forever, as my . . . husband."—Melody looked at him shyly.

"Huh, Mel, I wish you wouldn't take my thunder."—Jim rubbed her head as he laughed.

"Are you laughing at me!"—Melody got in his face, clearly flustered.

"No, but I do wish you'd let me ask you to marry me, not the other way around."—Jim winked at her as she puffed her cheeks and turned around.

"Mel, we can talk to him together, but I'd like to at least be the one to get down on one knee and ask you properly. Ok?"—Jim asked her honestly.

"Fine."—Melody looked back at him as he hugged her from behind and smiled at him and they shared a kiss, suddenly the ship seemed to reach shore.

"Well, looks like this ride's over. Let's go talk to your dad."—Jim took her hand as they went out on deck, seeing the storm was slowly clearing away, revealing the beautiful blue sky again, along with the setting sun.