AN: hello, all. So I was just thinking about how OCD I am about my review numbers (it HAS to be an even number and if I get at least 10 reviews per chapter I get really happy. And since I've gotten 11 I need to update so hopefully I'll get more reviews and make it an even number again!) and I just realized that 105 of you are following this story. Do you 105 people know how incredible that is? I mean, none of you have ever met me (or at least I dont think so) and tbh when I write I do it in a way that I love to write and with a story line that I personally enjoy writing. So the fact that 105 of you like my work enough to follow it and review as often as you do...like wow if I ever meet you guys I might turn into a puddle of tears or something. Okay, sorry for the tangent, I just dont think you guys realize how much I appreciate you! To reward you little nuggets this chapter will be explicit Soph and Cas fluff. Enjoy!

I enter into the house portion of the boat with the wool blanket wrapped around me still. It is small, I realize, once I walk past the wheel of the boat where Cassius stands and through the door leading inside. I see that there is a small kitchen area complete with a stove and table. Other than that there is a small bathroom and, I notice almost immediately, one queen sized bed.

Trying not to dwell too much on that fact, I walk over to a small set of drawers and pull the first one open, hoping to find dry clothes to change into.

The first drawer is full of boxers and women's underwear along with-

I blush furiously as my eyes land on lingerie and close the drawer. Maybe this boat is meant for honeymoons? The thought puts a bitter taste in my mouth as I move onto the next drawer down.

Thankfully, I find a large T-shirt. I strip off my sopping wet gown and throw the shirt on, relishing how dry it is.

It seems my luck has turned for the better when I spy on top of the dresser a hair brush. I snatch up quickly and work the tangles from my hair, trying to make the process as pain-free as possible- and failing miserably. Once all of the knots are finally combed out I braid my hair and open the next drawer. There are mens pants and sweats, but nothing for women. Are they only supposed to wear lingerie on this boat? I wonder as I open the first drawer once more and pull out a pair of boxer shorts and put them on. They are a little loose, but they will work for now. I pass my hand over my face and sigh. It feels as though all I have done since being taken was sleep, but the overwhelming need to close my eyes and fall into the nothingness of dreams was almost too much to ignore.

I turn toward the stairs leading up to the deck of the ship and gasp when I see that Cassius is there, leaning against the wall and staring at me. "How long have you been standing there?" I demand.

"Not long," is all he responds. When he registers the look on my face, he rolls his eyes. "Relax, I didn't see anything."

"Who's driving the boat?" I ask as I sit on the edge of the bed facing him.

"We're here for the night," Cassius says as he shrugs away from the walk and walks toward me. "The Captain has to sleep sometime, you know?"

"I can drive," I offer.

"No, you can't."

"You dont trust me to drive the boat." This stings a little, but I try and keep my face blank.

He sits on the bed next to me, a weary smile on his lips. "I dont trust me to leave you alone for too long. You'll end up killing us both." He winks before I can open my mouth to argue. "Besides," he continues, "you dont know where you're going."

I stare at the bags under his eyes for a moment. "When was the last time you slept?" I ask.

Cassius shrugs. "I sleep when I can. Like now, for instance."

Which left a gaping hole full of questions between us. I wonder what Daphne would say if she were here with us right now.

"Right side," Cassius asks as he takes off his shoes, "or left?"

"Uh," is all I can manage.

"Left it is," he says as he scoots back.

"Cassius," I say, whirling to where he is sitting against the headboard of the bed, "stop."

He merely raises an eyebrow in question.

"Daphne," I say. "Your wife."

"What about her?" he asks, eyebrow still cocked.

"She'd kill both of us if she even knew we were considering sharing a bed."

He sighs and leans forward. "She's not here, okay? And there's only one bed. Do what you like, Blondie, but I'm going to bed."

With that, he lays back down, turns off the light, and closes his eyes.

I sit still for what seems to be hours thinking all of the possibilities over in my head. On the one hand I could always go and sit on the deck of the boat. But the thought of the mermaids in the dark waters puts a chill down my spine. Now that the lights are off I feel the pull of sleep even more than before. I stare at Cassius' unmoving shape in the dark and take a deep breath. Why was I so nervous about this? He might already be asleep for all that I know, and he didnt seem to think at all that anything could happen between us. Letting my breath out, I scoot back and lay down beside him.

There is a silence that immediately consumes the ship, though I feel absolutely wired despite how tired I am. I can hear Cas breathing behind me evenly, his breath stirring the hairs on the back of my head. I missed him so much it physically hurt me. And now that he was here, merely inches away from me...

"I dreamed of you," I say quietly, almost surprising me. "Almost every night. I was scared of forgetting you."

I wait for him to reply, but silence is the only thing that greets me. I try and hide my disappointment and close my eyes to try and go to sleep.

Then, without warning, Cassius shifts and his arms are around me. There's a part of me that wants to pull away from him, to break his grip as he pulls my back to his chest and buries his head in my shoulder. But a much, much bigger part of me wants this to happen more than anything.

"Me, too," was all he said, so quietly that I was only able to hear because his lips were so close to my ear. "Me, too, Soph."

This, I think to myself, I will allow. This night where there are no walls between us. I know that everything will go back to how it was before in the morning, but for now I will allow myself this moment. I know that Cassius is thinking the same thing as I am, I know that if I try to move away from him- which I wouldn't- he would not let me move so much as an inch away from him.

"If you hadn't have come to the Tribe and taken me back," I begin, "I don't know what would have happened to me. The Chief's daughter said he wanted a baby and-"

"Shhh." Cassius' face is still buried in my shoulder. "It's nothing to worry about now. I promised I would take you home."

He sounds so tired, I dont reply so that he can find sleep. I swallow back my reply for multiple reasons, but mainly because I know sleep would be harder to come by for both of us if I spoke my mind right now.

I dont know where my home is anymore, I silently tell him. But I think it's wherever you are.

I close my eyes and try to relish the moment of the feel of his arms around me, keeping me warm. Knowing he will never keep me warm again after this night.

AN: okay, that's it so far. I'm sorry this took so long to upload! Be sure to review (you can yell at me for taking so long to update, I deserve it). The more you review, the more I notice that I'm neglecting the story and the faster I'll get to uploading it! Till next time!