Hello friends! Sorry for the long wait! I want to thank all of your for your patience and for reviewing and reminding me that there was still people who read my work. I hope to not disappoint. Please review and share your thoughts. I have the next chapter ready to go, so there will not be a six month long hiatus, I assure you :)
Not pressuring you or anything but...if I get more reviews, I can update faster ;)
Enjoy!
*Always, a thanks to my beta, Silverveign :) *
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.
13
Everything.
She remembered everything.
After waking up from the induced sleep in which she regained her memories, Ellis was faced with a reality she did not understand.
And now one last question remained.
As she sat across the table from Magdalena, a cup of tea warming her fingers, she looked up to meet the older woman's eyes who was waiting to answer any questions she had.
"Di-Did you see all of my memories?"
Magdalena nodded with a sad smile, "Yes child, and I'm sorry you have gone through so much pain."
Even though she knew her privacy had been violated in a way, she could not bring herself to be even the least bit mad. If it was necessary for Magdalena to see her memories in order to get them back, then she was glad she did. In fact, it made asking the next question easier.
"The girl...Karyme...could she be my...my daughter?"
The elder woman reached across the small table where they were seated and took Ellis' hand in her own, "That girl is your own daughter, Ellis. That is why you have lost your powers, because that little girl was born out of the love you and Nadie had, and still do."
Ellis took her hand back as she stood up, pacing around the dimly lit kitchen. "But how?" She asked in frustration as she turned to look at the woman, "How is that possible?"
"That is the way that a lot of the women with magic long ago had children if their life partners were women as well." Magdalena explained, "It was the ultimate sacrifice, to give one's essence of magic up, but the product of it was the greatest joy known to humans. Many women gave up their powers just to be able to enjoy having a child with their spouses and raising it together. You were able to do that because even if you weren't of magic heritage, you still had the essence."
Ellis breathed in deeply as she took in the information, her grip tightening on the chair as she struggle to remain standing, "I have missed so much because of my cowardice. Four years of my own child's life and four years away from Nadie, all because I was scared."
Magdalena shook her head, "Do not think that child, you did it with good intentions. You only tried to protect Nadie. You had no idea."
Releasing the chair, Ellis took a step back, "Thank you Magdalena, for everything."
With a nod and a kind smile, Magdalena watched as Ellis exited out to the porch where L. Zane waited patiently. The witch thought about how the young woman had entered her house lost and confused, and now she left found and determined.
Ellis found L.A. sitting outside , "You must take me to the ship. I need to see Karyme and Nadie."
L.A. nodded, "Yes, of course. I will but we should wait until tomorrow morning, it's now too late in the night." He asked no other questions since he knew Ellis had already regained her memory but thought better to ask later.
With a sigh, Ellis glanced at the wrist watch that L.A. was extending her to her and realized it was close to two in the morning. She had been passed out for several hours right after Magdalena finished bringing everything back to her consciousness. "I guess so."
"We will go tomorrow, I promise, for now let's go home." L.A. said to which Ellis agreed, figuring nothing more could be done now. They bid Magdalena goodbye and the three of them left.
"L.A., I have a question." L.A. looked up to the rear view mirror to make eye contact with Ellis, "What is it?" Zane was with them as they drove down the streets of the city buzzing with nightlife.
"I thought you were dead." Ellis stated as she observed L.A.'s grip on the wheel tighten suddenly, "Now that I have my memories back, I recall knowing that you were shot by Ricardo. What happened?"
L.A. took a deep breath, "Well, long story short is that my powers kept me alive and allowed me to heal. I managed to get to the city. I met Zane and after I was completely recovered we both worked together and ended up buying a night club." L.A. parked the car as they came to a stop in the parking lot of the club. "And that's the end of the story."
"I see." Was all the Ellis said as she got out of the car after the two men. Zane turned to Ellis, "Would you like to go home? If you want I can drive you there so you can rest, we just need to check some stuff before going."
"Or," L.A. spoke up, "You could join us and have a drink before we go. I'm sure that after everything that's happened, a couple of shots would help you." Zane glanced at Leonard with disappointment but his partner just shrugged and without waiting for an answer from Ellis, grabbed her hand and led her inside the club.
The Captain of El Cazador was unsure how she had ended in a night club but she did know that she had long ago lost count of how many shots of tequila she had had. Nonetheless, she kept ordering one after the other, hoping that with enough alcohol, she would forget the pain in her heart.
"Hello sweetheart," A voice beside her said and she turned to find a tall man smiling at her with a wide grin. "Do I know you?" Nadie asked in a slurred voice, surprised she was still able to think clearly.
The man, likely in his early twenties, looked her up and down with lustful eyes, "I don't know about that, but we could definitely get acquainted if you wished." Nadie turned away from the man momentarily, internally regretting going out for a drink in the first place. She should have known better than getting drunk in a place she didn't know and worse, alone.
Seeing the empty shot glass in front of the woman, the man figured it was safe to make his move, "So what do ya say?" Nadie cringed when he placed his hand on her thigh and proceeded to pushed him away, "Not interested."
"Come on baby," He said as he leaned close into her, his mustache scratching her soft skin, "It will be fun, I promise."
Nadie rolled her eyes, "I said I wasn't interested." She tried to get up, deciding it was best to go back to the ship, but she felt nauseated as her head began to spin with the sudden movement, tripping on the stool, the man managed to grab her and pull her close to him.
"What is going on over there?" Zane asked as the trio walked into the club and saw people began to focus their attention to a spot near the bar where they could hear an argument going on. L.A. sighed, "Most likely some drunks fighting."
Zane frowned, "Wait here, I'll go make sure everything is fine or I'll have them removed." L.A. and Ellis waited by the entrance while they watched Zane disappear into a crowd that was forming around the bar.
"Get away from me!" Nadie demanded as she shoved the man who began to laugh at her drunken rejections. In his own inebriated state he did not care about his actions in the least. People began to gather around them but did nothing as he tried to grab Nadie forcefully, thinking it was a couple's very entertaining fight. Everything turned bad when Nadie's anger sobered her up momentarily and she landed a punch on the man's face, landing straight in his jaw and knocking him back.
Right as he made it to the scene, Zane managed to catch the man before he fell down. Not knowing who Nadie was, he stared with disbelief at the woman who leaned against the bar.
After seeing even more people gather, L.A. turned to Ellis, "I'm intrigued, want to go see?"
Ellis shrugged her shoulders, not really having been paying attention since her mind was elsewhere, but followed after L.A. nevertheless.
The man pushed away from Zane and stalked over to Nadie, "You fucking bitch, how dare you?" He gritted his teeth in anger as he grabbed Nadie by her shirt's collar. Zane and some other guys who were now realizing this was trouble tried to pull him back but his hold did not loosen.
Ellis' eyes widened when she and L.A. managed to break through the crowd and her eyes went straight towards the woman who was holding on to the bar for support. Her throat became dry when she saw Nadie, this time recognizing her for the woman she had fallen in love with, the woman she had given everything to and yet had failed to be with for almost five years.
Nadie prepared for the man's attack but it never came when she saw a person dash between her and her aggressor. "Don't you dare touch her," She heard the person say and before she could recognize who it was, she was unable to stay conscious any longer as the alcohol took over her completely and she collapsed.
But she did not fall, for a pair of arms caught her before she did.
L.A. rushed to the ground next to Ellis who was holding an unconscious Nadie in her arms while Zane was making sure the man was taken away from the club. He searched Ellis' face which was hidden behind the curtain of her blonde hair, "Ellis, are you okay?" He could see her shaking lightly as soft sobs escaped her.
Ellis managed to nod without taking her gaze away from the woman in her lap, "It's her. It's Nadie."
She raised a hand to move a stray strand of hair from Nadie's face, allowing her skin to graze the woman's soft cheek, "I'm sorry Nadie," She whispered softly, "I am so, so sorry."
Zane returned and found L.A. watching silently as Ellis held Nadie protectively. He cleared his throat, "We should go." L.A. turned to him and nodded, moving over to Ellis in order to help her carry Nadie.
The club had returned to normal within minutes and as they drove back to the ship, Ellis took care of the passed out Nadie in the back seat while in the front, L.A. and Zane discussed their options.
"Are you sure it's a good idea to take them back to the ship?" L.A. asked without taking his eyes off the road. Zane nodded, "Yes, we will find someone in charge and explain the situation. She is the ship's captain after all, it's not like they will turn her down or anything."
L.A. nodded, "True, I guess it will be better than having Nadie wake up in our apartment tomorrow morning and try to shoot us or something." L.A. could feel the other man's confused stare on him and he glanced at him quickly, "What? I've been there and done that. It's not pretty."
As they arrived at the dock and made their way towards the ship, Ellis did not stray from Nadie's side. Ellis' mind raced when she realized she would most likely see her daughter soon, this time with the knowledge of who she was. The trio plus Nadie made their way into the ship but were stopped by a man that Ellis instantly recognized as Mark.
"Who are you?" He asked as he approached them and upon seeing the unconscious captain on Zane's arms, his brows furrowed in anger, "What have you done to the captain?"
L.A. stepped towards him, "We are Nadie's friends, she just drank a bit too much." Mark glared at the short man and then he turned his glare to the woman he recognized as Rosa, "Of course you would suddenly appear with Nadie like this."
Anger grew within Ellis, "We have no time for this, let us through, Mark." Ignoring her, Mark walked past her and attempted to remove Nadie from Zane's arms but was pushed back by Ellis who moved to stand between them, "Don't touch her."
Mark seethed, "Who do you think you are?"
"Rosa?" They all turned at the newcomer and found Jody looking at them in bewilderment, "What's wrong with Nadie?" She rushed to her friend's side with worry. "She's passed out from drinking," Ellis explained, recognizing Jody. Knowing she needed someone in her side, she decided to tell Jody the truth.
"Jody, I remember it all now." Jody was in shock at the woman's words. Silence reigned momentarily before Jody nodded, "Mark, I will take them Nadie's quarters. Don't worry."
Mark wanted to say more but he knew Jody's power in Nadie's ship and decided to stand down. Once Mark left, they followed Jody silently to the Captain's quarters where Zane deposited Nadie in her large bed.
Inside, Ellis scanned the area and broke the silence, "Jody, where is Karyme?"
"She's with Jayden in our room, sleeping." Jody answered as she focused on Ellis, "Do you really remember everything?"
Ellis nodded as she sat on the edge of Nadie's bed and proceeded to remove her boots. "Yes, I was taken to someone who was able to restore my memory."
Jody nodded silently, still trying to process everything. L.A. and Zane decided it was time to leave, "Seems like you need to talk," L.A. said, "We will come back tomorrow. Have a good night." Zane waved at them as well before the pair exited the cabin.
Once the boots where removed, Ellis moved to the side of the bed where she covered Nadie lovingly with the blanket, "Do you not believe me?" She asked after Jody's silence began to worry her.
Jody shook her head, "It's not that. It's just...seems so unreal. Nadie had waited so long for this and now she's passed out." Ellis nodded at this, for it did seem unreal, but did not comment, waiting instead for Jody to continue.
"Everything that has happened seems so unreal. First she loses you, then finds you years later but without your memory. Then you disappeared again and now you came back with your memories?" Jody looked deep in Ellis' eyes, "Nadie has been really hurt by it all. I don't know how she'll take it once she wakes up."
Ellis frowned and moved her gaze from Jody to Nadie's sleeping form, "I know I have hurt Nadie greatly, but it was never my intention. I left Nadie in order to give her what I thought would be a better life. Looking back, I realize my selfish actions only caused pain to the one I wanted to protect."
"I hope everything works out," Jody glanced over Nadie, "She deserves to be happy."
When Jody finished speaking Ellis looked up at her. Jody could see how red and puffy Ellis' eyes were. Ellis turned away again and placed a trembling hand over Nadie's. "All I ever wanted was Nadie's happiness, Blue-eyes. I just wished I knew then what I know now."
"I understand Ellis." Jody smiled sadly and then added, "I will bring Karyme over tomorrow at noon. I hope by then you and Nadie have been able to talk some of this out."
"Thank you." Ellis watched as the woman left and the room became silent except for Nadie's breathing.
Sitting on a chair by the bed, Ellis decided to keep watch for the rest of the night.
Just like Nadie had done for her so many years ago...