A/N: Hello! Well I finally updated! yay! I would like to dedicate this to Kachie Takahashi for messaging me and asking me when I was going to update. That made me update faster lol. Knowing there was someone actually waiting for it lol. Sorry for the long wait and I hope you enjoy it. Please review and I PROMISE to update soon this time :P
I don't have a beta reader so any mistakes are aaaaallll mine. If anyone is interested in being my beta reader that would be awesome! Please let me know ;)
Enjoy and please review :)
Disclaimer: I do not own El Cazador De La Bruja and its characters, BEE TRAIN does. I do claim ownership for my original characters and story.
Confiar. Trust.
9
Rosa could feel the hate in the glare she was receiving from, if she could recall the man's name correctly, Mark. While she had spent a few hours in the bridge with Nadie as the captain explained basic stuff to her, she had grown tired of just sitting there and had asked if she could go down to the engineering levels to explore and talk with her supervisor Catarina. Nadie readily agreed and had asked Mark to take her to the Engineering department.
The elevator ride was taking an eternity.
"So how do you know Captain Nadie?" Mark asked, trying to mask the venom in his voice. In the short time he had seen the two interact in the bridge, he could tell the two women had a special sort of relationship since he hadn't seen the captain so relaxed in a long time. While Nadie was not extraordinarily strict, she always kept a strong level of order and would limit herself to strict professionalism with her crew, never once attempting to get to know any of them. The only one in the crew that was allowed a closer relationship with the captain was the Head of Engineering Department, and even she was held back by unspoken boundaries.
Not to mention he had seen how the captain's mood had changed over the past few days since she met the girl. That and also how readily she offered her a job, almost desperate to have her on board.
"We met just a few days ago." Rosa answered, keeping it short and simple as something told her she shouldn't trust the man.
"I see." Mark's voice was frigid as the elevator beeped and the doors slid open. The officer watched as Rosa stepped out and quickly pressed the button to close the doors. Without turning, Rosa heard the doors slide shut and heard the elevator's humming as it went back up.
Sighing in relief of being away from the officer, she made her way towards Catarina's office. Upon reaching it, she found the door opened slightly and she could see that the office was empty.
'I wonder where she went. Probably working on something. I might as well explore around since I'm already here.'
Rosa walked down the long dimly-lit corridor, valves and various wires attached to the surfaces until she reached a metal door that seemed taken straight from one of those "ship-movies." As she reached towards the metal "steering-wheel-thingy" 'That's what it looks like to me,' Rosa pulled back when the door suddenly began to open back towards her as someone opened it from the other side.
Catarina watched with a grin as the new girl stared at the door that opened by itself without an external force like she was about to attempt. "It's not magic. It's motorized." The top engineer commented as she walked through the door. Rosa blushed, realizing she must've looked like a complete fool just standing there staring, "Oh no, I didn't-"
"It's okay. I was once just in as much awe as you are." Catarina began as Rosa followed her back to the office, "I wasn't born in a ship you know. I am actually from a small town where ships are seldom heard of. There you hear about ships as much as you hear about the sea, and believe me, a town in the middle of the desert doesn't talk much about the sea."
Rosa was glad to know the woman understood her and did not find her amazement to be foolish. Wanting to continue hearing more about her, she asked, "Where are you from? How did you end in a ship like this?"
"End? No, I'm not ending anytime soon I hope! I'm just starting!" Catarina replied with a wide grin. She opened the door to her office and motioned for Rosa to sit which she did promptly. Catarina sat across from her, "It's a long story, but I'll shorten it up. I'm from a town in the middle of nowhere, I failed in school miserably, got my ass kicked from home, and ended up in the streets before I met Nadie. When I met the captain she was a student in college and was extremely pregnant! And when I say extremely I mean extremely. From what I remember she was due within a month or so. I met her by sheer luck since she was a student taking special curses specified for the commanding of a ship or something like that. She didn't usually have class on Tuesdays but that day she had to go in to turn in a project she had finished early since she was graduating early."
Rosa interrupted her, "Did Karyme's father also go to the college?" She didn't know why she felt a sudden urge to find out about Karyme's father, yet a rare jealousy boiled within her. "Huh'?" Catarina scratched her head absentmindedly, "Father? I don't think so. Nadie never ever ever has spoken about who is Karyme's father. Ever since I know her she has not mentioned him once. But let me finish with my story damn it!"
"Sorry sorry, please continue." Rosa urged.
"Fine, as I was saying. That fateful day, destiny brought us together. I was homeless and hungry, two things that should never mix. I was walking through a market and grabbed a piece of bread from a stand. As I began to walk away a hand fell on my shoulder and halted my steps. I turned and found her staring not at me, but through me. Without saying a word she paid the man for the bread I took and led me away towards a cafeteria. There she brought me food and I gulfed it down. After talking for a while, I found she was very understanding and seemed genuinely interested in helping me. Something about knowing the feeling of hopelessness or something like that. Either way, to cut it short we became friends, she helped me get a job as a mechanic in a local shop as I attended some classes in the college for mechanical stuff and ended here in the ship with her as the head of the engineering department. Needless to say, Nadie is my angel." Catarina finished and took a gulp from her water bottle.
"Wow," Rosa was amazed at what she had just heard. She already knew Nadie was different from most people she'd met, yet this proved that Nadie was really some sort of angel! "Nadie certainly changed your life."
"Yep. She is the best. Whoever wins her heart will be one lucky son-of-a bitch. But from all the time I've known her she has yet to show interest in anyone. Be it male or female, because I do have my suspicions you know." Catarina stood up and stretched, "damn, that was one long conversation and it almost ran into my nap time! So if you would please excuse me, I have a nap waiting for me."
Rosa made her way out, "Thank you for your time Catarina, I appreciate it. I really do look forward to working with you."
Catarina held the door open, "Same here Rosa. See ya."
"Why was I not informed of this?" Nadie asked, her tone harsh as she slammed the piece of paper on the table.
"Ca-Captain, I'm sorry I-" The woman stuttered as she held her gaze down, afraid of meeting the fiery eyes of her captain.
"Nothing." Mark's voice was as harsh as Nadie's, if not harsher. "You are paid to keep us informed of any changes in the weather that could affect the ship in any way. The fact that you did not inform Captain Nadie or anyone else of this imminent danger shows that you are not apt for your charge."
"Please forgive me, it was a system error-" She tried again but failed when Nadie spoke up, "I will deal with you later. Now I have to see what I can do to fix this. You are dismissed."
The woman left unhesitatingly.
Mark turned to Nadie, "If the depression grows and turns into a tropical storm, in our current path we would be faced with it within a week's time at max. Meaning that it could be within a day or so as well. We cannot predict any further than that for the moment."
"Keep checking. We will not alert the passengers unless absolutely necessary. Even if it does turn into a tropical storm the ship will resist it. The only problem would be if it is really strong and we meet its center." Nadie kept her gaze fixed on the chart, trying to study the projected path, "We cannot change the path or we risk getting off schedule by at least two weeks and that is completely unacceptable."
"Understood." Realizing the conference room was empty except for the two of them, Mark decided to make a move on the captain, "Captain Nadie, I was wondering if you'd like to have dinner with me tonight in the upper decks. I was thinking we could-"
Before Nadie could refuse the officer's offer, a soft knock came to the door. Nadie walked to the door and opened it.
A scowl threatened to form on Mark's face as Rosa appeared with Karyme at her side.
On the other hand, Nadie's face lighted up with a smile as she saw Rosa with her daughter, "Rosa, what a pleasant surprise."
'I disagree,' Thought Mark bitterly. He noticed that the previous anger of the captain was now completely gone, and all thanks to that woman.
"We came to see if Nadie was ready to have dinner with us." Karyme nodded to Rosa's words, "Yes mami, aunt Jody and aunt Jayden won't be eating with us so can you please come?"
Nadie picked her daughter up and kissed her cheek, "How could I possibly deny the request of a sweet little girl like you?"
Rosa grinned and watched as Nadie turn towards Mark, "I'm afraid I already have dinner plans Mark. Thank you once again for the offer." Rosa saw disappointment in Mark's face but when his eyes locked with her own, a chill ran down her spine.
The trio left the room and walked as Karyme held their hands in the middle. "I'm sorry Nadie," Rosa began as they walked towards the dining hall, "Did we interfere with your plans?" Nadie glanced to her side and found Ellis looking back at her with curiosity and disappointment. "Not at all, Mark seems to always want to have dinner with me but I always turn him down. This time you just gave me a good reason to."
"Oh, so you and him…"
"No."
"I see…" Rosa was more than relieved to hear that nothing was going on between Nadie and Mark. She was not even sure why, but she didn't like the idea of Nadie dating Mark…or anyone else for that matter it seemed.
Dinner passed by and soon Nadie found herself back in her quarters putting Karyme into bed. Rosa was leaning against the wall and watched as the Captain pulled the covers up for Karyme and kissed her good night. "Good night Kary. Sweet dreams."
"Good night Mami. Can Rosa give me a kiss too?" Karyme asked as she turned to Rosa. "Of course, but only if she wants to," Nadie responded. Rosa smiled and pushed herself off the wall and leaned down to kiss Karyme goodnight, "Buenas Noches Karyme."
The pair exited the girl's room and made their way outside. "I'm sorry about Karyme, she seems to really like you." Nadie apologized, hoping Karyme's request had not made her uncomfortable. "Don't worry Nadie. I do not mind one bit. I like Karyme very much, she is the sweetest girl I've ever met," Rosa's eyes were now focused on the dark sea, "I wish I had a daughter like her."
The words struck a note in Nadie's heart. "Ellis…" She murmured, a hand reaching out to Rosa's back, but Rosa turned back to her, "Ellis? Why did you call me Ellis?"
Nadie's heart began to beat wildly; she hadn't expected to be heard. She said the name without thinking, "No…I didn't-"
"Yes, you also called me Ellis twice back in the dock after you saved me from Carlos. Why do you keep calling me that?" Rosa's eyes were now intently locked with Nadie's, her curiosity growing when she realized the captain was extremely nervous. Nadie was unable to hold her gaze for long, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to. It was an accident."
"An accident three times?" Rosa asked skeptically, "Please don't lie to me Nadie. If there is something you must tell me, please tell me. Just don't lie."
Mouth suddenly dry, Nadie felt a sudden surge of anger and pain she had tried to surpress, "You wouldn't understand!" Tears began to pool around Nadie's eyes, "You just wouldn't understand. All I've gone through…you…you left!"
The pain of the years of abandonment was now too much for Nadie. Seeing Ellis in front of her, asking her not to lie was too much. "Nadie, I don't understand-" Rosa was confused, but Nadie interrupted her.
"Of course you don't understand. You never did!" Nadie's voice was now louder than normal. Tears streaming down her face, her calm façade was now gone. She was unable to keep control of herself as she tried hiding her face in her hands, "You left me….you left Karyme…why…"
Rosa was shocked as she heard Nadie's accusations. She felt her head began to spin, a dull pain beginning to throb in her head. "Nadie," She held Nadie's hands and removed them from her face, seeing the glazed eyes full of pain that were now locked with her own, "I don't get it. I don't know what you're talking about, I-"
Nadie's anger flared and before Ellis could finish, she pulled back and slapped her.
Eyes wide and tears prickling her eyes, Rosa touched her burning cheek hesitatingly. She didn't know what was going on, the pain in her head had now intensified and she began to feel dizzy. "Na-Nadie…"
Elli's voice was soft and shocked, Nadie's heart clenched as she saw tears forming in the blonde's eyes. Nadie knew this had already gone too far. She had said too much. There was no going back.
Closing the already-small distance between them, Nadie pulled Ellis towards her and kissed her.
Rosa's mind went blank suddenly. Her body stiffened momentarily before her own lips began to move and kiss the captain back. It seemed as if the two were so in sync that they had no need for thoughts as their bodies moved to their own accord.
Nadie felt the salty taste of their mingled tears in the kiss as she poured her entire heart into the single act. She had been surprised when Ellis had began to kiss her back yet the immense happiness she felt could not be described.
A few moments later, Rosa suddenly pushed against Nadie, effectively ending the kiss.
"Ellis…" Nadie started, hurt that she had pulled away, but Ellis did not let her continue, "My-my name is not Ellis!" Her voice cracked slightly, "I'm Rosa!"
With that, Rosa turned and ran away, leaving the shocked and hurt Nadie standing in the cold breeze.