We silently climbed up onto the deck, the boys supporting me and having me fetch a ladder. Once we were all on deck, and my back was screaming in protest, I found a small knife lying on a barrel. Picking it up, the wooden handle had been etched with a rose. Fitting, isn't it?

As Tulio was putting provisions in the dingy, I spotted Al Tivo. He was staring at us as if he was offended, and nudged Miguel's back as he was tip toeing over to help Tulio out. He started petting the horse, telling him his thanks, and Tulio turned to him in exasperation.

"Miguel, he's a ruthless war horse," I glared, he seemed perfectly sweet to me. "Not some poodle, come on!" Tulio hopped in the boat, and Miguel swung over the rail as well, bidding Al Tivo an 'adiós'. I sent Al Tivo a smile, whispering to him.

"I'll get the boys to toss you the apple, okay hun?" Al Tivo huffed in satisfaction, and soon I was in the dingy as well.

"Hey Miguel, I think Al Tivo wants his apple," I suggested as they were lowering the boat into the water. Al Tivo started to whinny, wanting the apple. "What an impatient horse," I muttered, Miguel handing Tulio the apple to throw.

"Fetch!" Tulio flung the apple on deck, or at least we thought it went on deck until we heard a small splash, followed by another whinny, and then a much larger splash.

"Al Tivo!" Miguel shouted, diving into the water in what I wasn't sure whether it was bravery or idiocracy. I sighed, quickly getting up to try to help Tulio lower the boat, but we were already falling through the air, and I was knocked into the sea. Submerged, I tried to go back up, but the skirt of my dress was caught on a loose nail on the ship. Letting out a shout, releasing a bunch of bubbles and water filling my mouth, I started to pull on my shirt, but I didn't really have anything to use as leverage. Remembering the knife, I took it out of my cleavage, where I had stored it, and flipped it open, cutting quickly through my skirt and swimming up.

Breaking the surface I took in huge gulps of air, looking around for Miguel and Tulio. I saw them a little further ahead, feet over the side of the boat and Al Tivo munching on some of the provisions. So much for that…

I swam over, ignoring the screaming coming from my back, and hauled myself over onto the boat.

"ROSE!" Miguel shouted, engulfing me in his warm arms. I snuggled into his chest. "We thought you were dead!" he mumbled into my hair, and I shook my head. He squeezed me a little tighter and I let out a shriek of pain. Miguel quickly released me, taking his warmth with him.

"What happened?" Tulio was alert in a second, looking at me, then to my now exposed legs. Looking down, I noticed I must have cut myself by accident, and now that the adrenaline was wearing off, the pain was becoming much more noticeable.

"I had to cut my skirt from a nail on the ship," I groaned, leaning back and turning onto my side so I wasn't lying directly on my back. They gasped, and I looked back at them, confused.

"What?" I inquired, and Miguel reached out a hand as if to touch my back, but seemed to think better of it.

"Your wounds have… reopened…" he mumbled. "And we don't have anything to treat them with…" he trailed off. I groaned again, turning back around to face them.

"Don't worry, I've had worse, I'm sure," I said, waving them off even though that motion also hurt. They did not look convinced. "Get some sleep, work out how you're going to figure out which way Spain is," I mumbled, resting my head down on the small bench. Closing my eyes, I evened out my breathing, trying to fall asleep.

Someone must have thought I was already asleep, because suddenly I'm being pulled down, and into someone's protective embrace. He nuzzled his face into my neck, breathing deeply, and I opened my eyes a little bit to see Miguel peering at my face.

"What are you doing?" I asked softly, hearing Tulio snoring.

"Don't worry, mi corazón," He whispered sleepily. "Rest," pulling my further into him, I nodded, snuggling my head over his heart, letting the thump… thump… lull me to sleep.

I now knew why I woke up in his arms every morning, and it was not just because he was a sleep cuddler. It was deliberate. Now the question is… does he just miss a woman's touch? Or does he specifically want mine? I'll figure it out...