..A/N: First of all, I'd like to say sorry, because I sort of abandoned this story for a while, but I never forgot about it. I will continue writing more though! I hope you like it. :D

For Charlie, my draft prince ;)

Past~

Alek had been deeply hurt when Deryn shoved him into the wall the night before. Why didn't she want to listen to me, Alek thought. Then she ran out all upset and Newkirk had followed her out. Alek couldn't help feeling jealous, thinking that it should have been him out there with her. Then when he came to find her, he found Newkirk in her room and Deryn had kissed him on the cheek. Even that small act, made Alek's insides turn.

As the days past, Alek would try to stay clear from Deryn, but one can only hide so much on a ship, no matter how big it was. Whenever he did see her, she was with Newkirk, laughing and smiling. Of course on the occasions when he did happen to pass them, he would give them both a small greeting with a nod of his head and carry on to his business.

Thankfully Alek had Bovril to keep him company. At this moment, the fluffy creature rested on his shoulder. "Alek sad?" It questioned. Alek gaped at the creature. The beastie had an uncanny ability to predict the out-comes of events, with being perspicacious and all, but it never asked questions. Strange. Alek thought. The creature appeared to being attaining new talents every day.

Alek frowned. Was he sad? Well, Volger had described him last night as a little brooding due to the episode that happened with Deryn in the mess hall. Actually, Volger had said that he was 'more' brooding, because to begin with, Alek had been like that before the party.

Alek rounded the corner of the hall and suddenly stopped because he heard voices. The voices belonged to Deryn and Newkirk.

"I won't tell him, because I love you. I've been madly in love with you forever," Newkirk breathed. Alek clinched his fist and heard a slap as if someone had got hit on the face. He peeked over and saw Newkirk caressing his right check. Alek smirked to himself. Deryn had apparently slap Newkirk.

"I can't return those feelings," Deryn said, her voice rising.

"Just like Alek couldn't for you, right?" Newkirk told her and grabbed her shoulders.

"Let go of me, you bum-rag, or I'll-,"Alek watched in horror as Newkirk clamped his mouth over Deryn, drowning her words. Deryn appeared to be struggling at trying to free herself, but Newkirk had her in an iron grip. Alek had had enough of this. He strode over to Newkirk and pulled him off Deryn and threw a punch.

Alek remembered it to well' Newkirk questioning the punch, him accusing Newkirk of molesting Deryn and finally stupid Newkirk declaring that he loved Deryn more than Alek does and ever will. The last statement really made Alek's mind explode and so a fight was born.

What made matters worse was, that Deryn, bless her hurt, had somehow got involved in the fight. He hadn't noticed her when suddenly the fight ended and Alek was shocked to how it had ended and Newkirk appeared to be just as shocked as Alek. Then they both saw Deryn all bruised up. She had used herself to stop the fight. Well, she is really strong for a girl, Alek thought. I guess it was her soldierly instincts to stop the fight. Most girls would've fled the scene for help, but Deryn, being Deryn had tried to control the situation herself.

She was a tough girl, but Alek swore the moment he saw her after the fight, she looked just as broken down as he had when he had rejected her. From there on, Alek had made his attempt to talk to Deryn. This time she actually came with him

Present~

"Where are we going?" Deryn questioned as Alek led her somewhere she obviously did not know.

"You'll see," Alek smirked.

"You're such a barking daft prince, you know?" Deryn laughed.

"Certainly." Alek replied.

Soon the two arrived at the machine room. Alek glanced at her. Poor girl, he thought. She's probably recalling the last time she was her with me and it wasn't a good time either.

Alek gave Deryn a reassuring nod and twisted the door open and made a gesture for her to go in. She raised an eyebrow. "Ladies first," Alek suggested, always the gentlemen. "Get stuffed," Deryn replied, sticking her tongue out at him.

The room shined with the setting sun, so there was no need for the glow worms…for now anyways. Deryn turned towards the window and murdered, "So beautiful," addressing the sunset. "Indeed it is and so are you," Alek returned. With that last comment Deryn quickly turned around and gave him a glare.

"What? It's a compliment," Alek protested.

"Alek, please don't go there…I don't want to be hurt again," Deryn said softly.

Alek cleared his throat, "About that…you see, I'm sorry. I was too harsh. I was just really shocked and I felt way draft, because I'd never noticed that you were actually a girl and-,"Alek tried to explain.

"You shouldn't be too hard on yourself," Deryn interrupted, "that was my point, ninny. I was trying to be a boy without question. It's understandable, that you didn't recognize me for months, until I told you, which by the way, I'm regretting right now. I'm just dead clever and now for my stupidity my job is on the line and possibly my life if my secret gets out." She said.

"I would never-," Alek began.

"No, you threaten me, and now Newkirk could tell-," She started to explain.

"WHAT! Newkirk know? How?" Alek said in disgust.

"What, you thought he was kissing me as a boy? Aye, that's disgusting," Deryn said wrinkling her nose.

"No, well at first…eh, but then I saw him grabbing you and that's when I knew he knew," Alek said with an icy voice.

"I don't see why it matters to you," Deryn scoffed.

"It means everything to me," Alek corrected.

"Why is that?" Deryn inquired, folding her arms against her chest.

"Because over the days, I've realized..That I actually like you, may even love you," Alek whispered.

Suddenly Deryn started laughing like a total maniac. "Oh, good one Alek," She giggled, wiping a tear off her right cheek.

"What's so funny?" Alek demanded, blushing.

"Oh, you'd think one would be happy, overjoyed to find out, that the boy who she has been in love actually loves-," Deryn began but was cut off as Alek close in the space between them, wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply.

Her lips were so soft and warm against his. The moment their lips connected, Alek swore something clicked. Her lips fit perfectly with his as if she were the missing puzzle piece missing from Alek, and she finally had been placed back where she belonged. Alek noticed something at that moment…she wasn't pushing him away, like she always had in his dreams. Her lips were moving with his in union, as passionate as he was. Maybe dreams aren't true as you think they are. They're just holding your worst fears with what you really want.

Soon enough, Deryn pulled away and glanced into Alek gorgeous green eyes. Her face was all flustered and pink and she was smiling like a loony. Before Alek could say anything, Deryn tackled him to the ground.

"Finally," she hissed, "I've been waiting for that for a million of years!" She frowned. "Did I just really say that out loud? Barking spiders, to hell with it!" She giggled as she leaned over Alek and pressed her lips against his once, twice, and many more times.