A/N: So this story is being slowed a bit cuz i'm stuck on chapter 8. But yeah. It's still going strong. Read and Review please!


Chapter 7: Crow's Nest

Bella awoke early the next day to get her usual jobs around the ship done. She was hoping to spend some time with Jimmy today and try the hinting method Ann told her about. She pulled on her hat over her messy brown hair that hung around her face and wished for all the luck she could get.

A few short hours later, Bella had finished her daily jobs and was looking for Jimmy, She hand't found him in the navigation room with Englehorn, so she assumed he was in his cabin. She skipped energetically down the hallway to the room and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Jimmy's voice called.

Bella walked in, finding Jimmy on his bed. He was on his back with his knees up, reading a book. He glanced over and smiled at her. "Hey Jimmy," she said.

He sat up and shut his book. "What're you doing Bells?"

She smiled. She loved when he called her that. It was a nickname he started to call her recently. "Finished my work and wanted to see if you wanted to...spend some time together," she trailed off as she sat on her old bed.

Jimmy bolted up, his boots making a clunking sound on the floor. "Sure."

Bella felt her stomach flip. "Lets go up to the crow's nest. I've always wanted to," she grinned.

Jimmy nodded as he stood, leaving the book on his bed. "I'll tell Kurt we'll take his shift," he told her on his way to the door. Bella followed him anxiously.

-Jimmy POV-

"Kurt. I'll be in lookout for you for a while." Jimmy was in the galley with Bella next to him.

Kurt gave a nod. "Aye. Thanks lad," the man said in a Scottish accent.

Jimmy turned and walked out onto the deck, knowing Bella was close behind. As they got to the ladder leading up to the crow's nest, he asked, "Why here?"

He began up the ladder as he heard Bella say, "It's bound to have the best view. And you can see the sunset beautifully I bet."

'Isn't that true.' Jimmy had seen many wonderful sights from the high lookout post, but also many scary ones. The last being the wall. He shivered at the thought as he reached the top and pulled himself up.

Bella reached the top shortly after and he helped her up. She looked around. "Wow," she put a hand on her hat and another on the railing.

Jimmy leaned on the railing on the opposite side. "Haven't been up here in a long time..." He looked out at the sea and the distant blazing sun nostalgically.

Bella turned, looking at him. "Why not?" She mimicked him and leaned against the railing on her side.

He frowned as he put his hand into his pocket. "I became first mate. When you're learning about astrology and maps with the skipper, there's not much time."

"Oh."

Jimmy cleared his throat. "So what made you come aboard the Venture?" 'Will she answer this time around?'

Bella sighed. "My father. He hit me and I wasn't going to tolerate that drunk anymore."

"Why's your father a drunk?" he pressed. 'I don't understand why people drink.'

"Because my mother died. He seems to think alcohol is his only way to cope," she looked out at the sea again.

"You miss her don't you?" he asked, fixing his hat.

She nodded. "Yeah," Bella turned to him. His eyes met with hers for a brief moment. Jimmy could see the sorrow hidden in her blue eyes. He looked away at the ocean once more. 'Her eyes look like the ocean. Ask now Jimmy.' He wanted to ask Bella something, but he wasn't sure how. They stood in silence for a while. Minutes later, Jimmy finally summoned the courage to ask. "Hey Bells?"

-Bella POV-

Bella turned to Jimmy, he was looking out at the vast sea. She saw him glance at her from the corner of his eye. "How do you know if you...like someone?"

'Why's he asking this?' She laughed nervously. "Well, you feel happy around the person for one. And your stomach feels funny." 'I'm describing my own symptoms. Good going.'

Jimmy turned, looking at her as he moved closer a step. He began to speak but someone yelled, "Jimmy!"

Bella let out a breath of relief. Jimmy made a grunt. "Yeah?"

She looked down and could faintly see Captain Englehorn yelling for Jimmy. "You're on shift tonight," the captain said before walking away.

Jimmy sighed. "I'm sorry. You can stay and watch the sunset still if you want. Not for and hour or so though." He looked torn up because he had to go.

She shook her head. "It's fine. I've gotta go talk to Ann anyways." 'Would've been nice to stay a while longer with him.'

"Okay," Jimmy said as he began down the ladder. Bella followed seconds later.