Chapter 9

Love

'Thanks..much..help Jill!' Flora says, nervously.

'No problem.' my written words tell her. Everyone was shocked last night when they heard Skye was going to the mine to steal. Flora had left with Carter right away, and the party had ended soon afterwards. I went to the mine early this morning, and asked Flora and Carter if I could help them out. After a few nervous glances at each other, they'd agreed.

'Now Jill,' Carter started that night, 'We don't want anyone to get hurt, and due to your current...predicament, I want you and Flora to stay together at all times.' Carter said very clearly. I guess I wasn't to miss a word of that. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and nod my consent. 'Good,good.' Carter says, then throws back his head in laughter. 'Ha! That thief is foolish to think he could steal anything from us!' Flora laughs timidly as well.

'Yes, I guess it is...foolish.' she says, and we start to wait for the thief. Time passes quickly, and before we know it, we've been waiting for Skye to show up for a couple of hours.

'Where is he?' Carter asks with great force.

'I've never... of Phantom Skye not showing up. Maybe...scared him off.' Flora replied.

'Perhaps we did. Or maybe...'

'He's in the mine!' I see their lips form at the same time, and they run out of the tent.

'So much for us staying together.' I think, and I walk out of the tent and run into the thief in question.

'We've got to stop meeting like this beautiful.' Skye says, smiling. 'Or, maybe not. I don't mind running into women as wonderful as you.' I roll my eyes and turn away from him, trying to hide the blush forming on my cheeks.

'You know I'm not here to chat Skye.' I write to him. 'Where are my seeds?' Skye sighs dramatically.

'Well Jill, I guess you have caught me thieving. Only this time, I'm not after my usual
treasures.' I give him a questioning look and he smirks and grabs my hand. I instantly try to jerk it away, but Skye holds on tight, anticipating that very move. 'Tsk , Tsk beautiful, do you not want your seeds?' I'm about to either slap him or burst into tears, when apparently Skye hears a noise. 'Come on Jill, they're coming.' Skye says, and drags me along to his destination. No conversation occurs on our way to who knows where, as I'm genuinely upset with Skye. The light from the tent was gone as well, so I wouldn't be able to understand what he was saying anyway. Skye is still holding my hand, and although I'm upset with him, I can't help but feel comforted by the grip of his hand on mine. It was something I hadn't experienced in a long time.

Our destination ended up being the beach, and we sit on the sand near the waves.

'Can you see me beautiful?' Skye asks and I nod. There was a full moon out tonight, and when you combine that with the refection of the moon's light on the water, I could see Skye's face just fine.

'What are we doing here Skye?' I ask him, and he looks out at the water thoughtfully.

'I was never going to steal from those miners. I hadn't seen you in a while, and I knew if I sent that note to them, I'd be able to see you again.' Skye says, looking directly at me. His normal confidence is gone, and I think I detect a slight blush on his cheeks. My anger at him slowly dissipates, and I nod. We sit without communicating for a while, when suddenly, Skye points at the sea. 'Water' he signs, and I smile at him.

'You remembered.' I write to him, and he smirks, confidently.

'Why of course dear Jill! How could I ever forget anything you've told me?' I give him a look and think awhile.

'What would you do if you weren't a thief?' I ask, empowered by Skye's use of sign. Skye looks toward me again, surprised.

'Eager to learn more about me eh?' he asks, and I roll my eyes at him. Skye turns away and looks at the sea. 'I...myself...making curry.' I catch, his angle making his lips hard to read.

'You make curry?' my note asks, and he nods. He starts to speak again, but before he can I tap on his shoulder.

'Look at me.' I ask him, and Skye slowly turns his face in my direction.

'Better?' He asks, smiling gently. I nod, and he continues talking. 'I love making curry, and cooking in general, but my food always seems to be lacking something. I've tried hundreds of recipes, but none of them have come out just right. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.' Skye turns and looks at the sea again. I look at the gentle waves with him awhile, before writing another note.

'Maybe you should cook with love.' I convey to him, and he gets a strange look on his face.

'Love hmm?' His lips form slowly, before his face breaks out into a huge grin. 'You're amazing Jill!' He says to me, and I smile a little at him. 'Hehe, I knew talking to you was a good thing.' he says, and after a second he stands up. 'Now, it's time for beautiful girls such as you to go home. I would walk you, but I don't want you to be seen with such a dashing thief. It's not good for your image.' he says, smirking. I laugh at him, and he helps me stand up. 'Be careful going home Jill. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you.' he says, his smirk replaced with a genuine smile. I feel a blush form on my cheeks for a second time that night, and I turn and hurry off before Skye can see. Once I'm home, I climb into bed, exhausted from the days events, and fall asleep.

When I wake up the next day, two bags of seeds are on my table.

'I completely forgot!' I think to myself. How embarrassing can I be? I quickly scramble out of bed and grab the precious bags. Underneath them, I find a note.

'Looks like we both forgot about these last night. Sorry Jill, I suppose I became too enchanted by the beauty in you eyes. Don't forget to grow these with love! - Skye'

A.N. Please, please review! Thanks for reading!

-Goldengirl