I decided to put up the second chapter early as an apology for scaring the diehard mudshippers. I hope you enjoy!


CHAPTER 2

Mia tossed and turned in bed making a futile effort to fall asleep. For some reason she just didn't feel tired tonight and couldn't keep her eyes closed. She sighed. Why am I unable to sleep tonight? Nothing's bothering me and I don't have any other idea of what could cause this insomnia…

Rolling onto her back, Mia stared at the ceiling for a few moments trying to lull herself to sleep by looking at patterns in the wood that was being softly illuminated by the moonlight. When that failed, she gave up entirely. It seems I'm just not destined to get a good night's rest tonight she thought with another small sigh. Sitting up in bed, she smoothed out her nightgown and checked the time. Another hour until my watch huh? Looking around the room, Mia's mace caught her eye and she stepped out of bed with renewed purpose. Poor Isaac's probably freezing out there and bored to tears. It wouldn't hurt if I went out there a little early to keep him company.

Walking over to the small closet in the room, Mia pulled her normal robes on and grabbed her mace that was resting near the dresser. She opened the door and stepped outside softly so as not to wake Ivan or Garet in the adjoining room. As if was even possible to wake Garet anyway she smiled. Moving past the common area, Mia opened the door leading to the deck and was stopped by a breathtaking sight.

The fog cover was thick around the ship but the full moon shone brightly down from above causing a surreal effect that made it look like her surroundings were softly glowing a pure white color. The world was soundless and the sea was still as the fog rolled across its surface in silent waves.

Mia also spotted Isaac sitting with his back to the mast staring up at the moon, his scarf lying still across his neck on the windless night. Not wanting to disturb this moment, she waited in the doorway and watched Isaac stare into the night sky for a bit. He still hadn't noticed her and she was content to leave it that way.

Isaac clenched his right hand and closed his eyes for a moment before averting his attention to the ocean. I wonder what that was about… Mia wondered. Now he looks so melancholy and lonely. Isaac's expression was starting to make Mia feel depressed too, but before she could make her presence known, Isaac turned and noticed she was there.

Immediately his expression changed to that of surprise as he got to his feet and called out to her. "Mia, what are you doing out here? Your shift isn't for another hour."

Mia quickly motioned for him to sit back down while she walked over to sit next to him by the mast. "I just couldn't sleep tonight I guess," Mia told him. When she sat down, Isaac draped the fleece jacket she had given him earlier around her shoulders.

"Gosh, you must be freezing out here in just your normal clothes Mia," Isaac exclaimed after looking her over.

Mia shrugged at his comment. "I lived in Imil you know. A little cold won't kill me…but thanks," she added with a smile. "You still looked cold out here when I came out on deck though. This jacket is big enough to share," she said, scooting closer and offering half of it to Isaac.

He smiled at her and accepted it. "Thanks Mia." Isaac went back to his previous subject and asked her, "Why weren't you able to sleep and why are you out here so early?"

Mia shrugged in response and said, "I really don't know why I couldn't sleep, but I figured that since I wasn't going to be sleeping anyway I might as well come out here and keep you company on your shift."

Isaac smiled at her and replied, "Well in that case let's both just keep watch together tonight."

Mia shook her head. "No, no. You need to get your sleep tonight too. You might need it for tomorrow."

Isaac let out a short chuckle at her reply and said, "Mia. You're out here keeping me company on my watch. The least I can do is return the favor. Plus, I'd rather spend my time with you than sleeping."

Mia didn't have a response for that and let the point go as silence descended between them. Not wanting it to go on too long, she turned to look at him and asked, "So what was that in your hand a minute ago when I walked out here?"

"Oh you saw that?" Isaac asked, turning to look at her. When Mia nodded in the affirmative, Isaac brought his hand up and opened it to reveal a pretty necklace Mia had never seen before and explained, "I guess you could say it holds many memories for me."

It's absolutely beautiful Mia thought to herself while looking at the flowing, silver chain and the ruby stone glowing like a miniature ember in the center. "It's amazing. Do you mind if I took a look at it?" she asked him. Isaac motioned that it was all right with him and held it out for her to take.

After looking at it carefully, Mia held it out and set it gently back in Isaac's hands saying, "It's gorgeous, but I couldn't imagine you ever wearing it."

"That's probably because I've never worn it," he told her.

"Then where did you get it?" Mia asked in response.

Isaac gave her a sad smile before saying, "Jenna gave it to me a few years ago."

"She has good taste then," Mia mentioned. "It sounds like there's a story behind it. I'd love to hear it if it's not too personal." She smiled at him from under the jacket they were sharing.

"It is a personal story, but I don't mind sharing it with you. Just don't talk about it with the others around. Garet doesn't even know about this," Isaac added.

Mia's mind raced and new thoughts entered her head. Garet is one of Isaac's best friends and even he doesn't know about this necklace? I'm honored that Isaac trusts me with his secret, but is it really all right for him to tell me about it then? She decided to give voice to her concerns: "Are you sure you want to tell me this story Isaac? You don't have to. I would understand."

"It's all right Mia. I feel like you can understand this story and that's why I want to tell it to you," Isaac explained. He paused to collect his thoughts. "It was probably the most thoughtful thing she's ever given me," he continued as Mia listened attentively. "I remember what she said when she gave it to me. 'This is one of my favorite necklaces Isaac. I want you to have it so that even if I'm not around, you still have a small piece of me with you…'"

Isaac paused for a moment. "She was right you know. It does remind me of her even though I have no idea where she is right now." He stared out at the ocean and watched the fog silently moving across the water as if he might be able to discern the direction Jenna was in.

No wonder he treasures it and has kept it to himself all this time... It sounds like just having that necklace with him allows him to remember her, almost as if he can feel her presence, Mia thought as she listened to Isaac's story. I can tell he really loves her. She smiled and watched Isaac stare out to sea for a moment before he turned back to face her.

It ended up being Mia who broke the silence however. "You really miss her don't you? You miss her a lot more than you let on."

Isaac adopted a glum expression before replying. "Yeah. I do."

Mia wrapped her arms around him in a gesture of comfort before telling him, "Isaac. I can tell how much you care for her and I promise that we will find her. All of us. Together."

Accepting her hug, Isaac stayed silent for a moment. "I was always close with her Mia. She was my best friend, even before I met Garet. We understand each other like nobody else in town ever could. And that's why it hurt so much to have her ripped from me in Sol Sanctum; just as my father was ripped from me and her entire family was ripped from her 3 years before. We fought through the pain together for those3 years. I've always felt the need to protect her. She was like the little sister I never had. That's why I have to find her at any cost."

Mia gave him a squeeze. "We will find her Isaac. I'll be there to help you every step of the way. Promise me you won't give up on her."

Isaac smiled and put an arm around Mia's shoulder, returning her hug. "I promise," he told her.

I'm glad I was able to cheer Isaac up somewhat Mia thought as Isaac's mood visibly improved. The two adepts smiled and started chatting about smaller things from their travels, laughing occasionally at a particularly happy memory. They passed the time reminiscing about the things that made the journey fun, such as when Garet used the 'Force' Psynergy for the first time and knocked a tree into the wall of the Fuchin Temple or when Ivan accidentally blew over one of their tents with a whirlwind. Before either of them noticed, hours had passed.

We're already halfway through my shift! Mia realized suddenly. She stifled a yawn as she turned to tell Isaac the news, but it didn't go unnoticed.

"Are you finally feeling sleepy now Mia?" Isaac asked her with happy expression on his face.

"No, I'm all right," Mia managed to reply, even though it was obvious enough she was exhausted.

"You should really head to bed Mia. You look really tired and you want to be well rested for tomorrow. Don't worry about the rest of your shift; I can cover it," Isaac said.

Mia declined the offer with a wave of her hand and laid her head on Isaac's chest. "To be perfectly honest, I'd rather stay right here with you than head to bed now," she told him as her eyes slowly closed.

Isaac, amused by her response, reached up and brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face before saying, "As you wish. You're perfectly welcome to stay here if you want."

"Thanks…" Mia murmured back to him while stifling another yawn.

Isaac watched her sleeping form for a few minutes before realizing he was also extremely tired and felt the urge to rest. Almost without noticing it, his eyelids started to droop and his awareness shrank as he fell asleep.

It was a picture perfect night. The two adepts lay asleep in each other's arms under the moonlight, wrapped in Mia's heavy jacket for warmth as the fog swayed and flowed past and around them.

This was how Ivan found them a few hours later when he came to take his shift.