Telling Jamie my story, was a very difficult task. Mostly because I knew he wouldn't believe me if I told him I was from another time. So I only told him about the Titanic, and the events that happened there. I told him of my fiance, of my friend and mentor, and the fate that befell both of them despite my best efforts. I opened up to him, but always made sure not to tell him too much. When I finished he thanked me for sharing my story with him, and then went back to his own quarters.
I haven't seen much of him since, and that's not exactly a bad thing. Charlie has been with me most of the time, and he keeps me in good spirits. Everyday he has some new silly thing to tell me. Whether it be an over exaggerated scenario he thought up while riding, or a terrible joke he heard in the mess hall, I always end up laughing until tears are rolling down my cheeks. I know I shouldn't be, especially after rejecting Jamie, but I think I'm falling in love with Charlie.
But then there's James, who is absolutely the sweetest man I've ever met. He comes in every single day after training and shows me a picture he's been working on. He had to leave his notebook behind in England, but he kept a few sheets of drawing paper and a pencil with him and in his spare time he draws. I love looking at his drawings, he should have been an artist instead of a cavalry soldier.
Today is my last day of rest before I head out with the rest of the regiment, we're moving south for a few miles to meet reconnaissance. Apparently they've found a German camp, and Jamie wants to catch them before they move. I would rather be out riding right now than sitting here, I feel better, honestly I do! These soldiers don't seem to think so, if I were a man I'm sure I'd be out of here by now!
Sleep is my favorite pastime, but now I'm even bored of doing that! Charlie comes in and I throw a pillow at him "Oh? A little feisty today?" he asks, grinning ear to ear. I huff at him "Charlie, I want to go out riding!" I tell him. He sits on the edge of my bed and smiles sympathetically "Sorry, you have to wait one more day. Jamie's orders" he tells me. I sigh and lean back against my pillows, Charlie notices my distress and musses up my hair. I swat at him playfully and he chuckles "Sparks has been missing you. Perhaps, maybe, one leisurely ride couldn't hurt" he says slowly. I sit up in a flash and he stands up, walking over to a chair in the corner and tossing me my uniform "But if Jamie catches us, you made me do this" he says. I laugh and hop out of bed, wobbling slightly as I stand for the first time in a few days.
He leaves and I dress as quickly as I can, running water over my face and through my hair. A song pops into my head from the modern day, and it's so upbeat it only makes me feel every better! Though the moment is slightly bittersweet, I miss my friends, and my sister who probably would have sung the song out loud with me. I shake my head to clear the thought out of my mind before heading out the door.
Charlie smiles as I step out "I think Jamie's got the rest of the regiment in the field over there, so we'll take the trails in the opposite direction" he tells me quietly, I nod and the two of us make our way towards where the horses have been tied. Sparks lifts his head and pricks his ears as I approach him, he looks as though he's about to whinny so I quickly put a hand on his nose "Shhhh. You'll give me away Sparks" I tell him. He tosses his big head up out of my reach and I pat his neck, beginning to groom him.
By the time I have him tacked Charlie is riding up towards us on Blenheim. The grey nuzzles my shoulder and I pat his neck before moving over to Sparks' side and mounting. I am already out of shape! Only a few days in bed and already it takes a ton of effort just to pull myself onto my horse's back! Charlie doesn't seem to have noticed though, and he turned Blenheim, guiding him away from the other horses. We set off at a trot in the opposite direction of where we thought Jamie had gone.
After a few minutes of riding through the thick forests we decide it's safe to move our horse's faster. Sparks pulls on the bit excitedly as I urge him into a trot and then into a canter. We weave through the trees, following the faint path that winds through the woods. Charlie and I don't talk to each other, we just focus on our horses and on the path in front of us. My heart soars as we ride, I now officially feel better! Riding Sparks is just what I needed to finish recovering! I feel so good when I'm on a horse.
Suddenly we hear another horse's hoof beats and the two of us slow down, coming to a stop at the edge of the forest. There's a field in front of us, with jumps scattered around in a sort of course. There is one horse cantering around, a very familiar bright red bay with four white socks and a star. Charlie sighs when he realizes it's not Jamie, but James. We trot out horses out into the field and wave at him. The Captain slows Joey and rides to meet us.
"I didn't expect to see you out here" he says with a smile, panting slightly. It's clear he has been working hard with Joey all morning. I smile back at him "I'm glad to be out here! That room was so dull I would have rather watched paint dry!" I tell him. He and Charlie chuckle at my statement and I look at the jumps James had been going over "Hows about we have a bit of a jumping contest?" I ask.
James shifts in his saddle "I don't think that is the wisest idea, what with your condition" I cut him off "What's the matter Captain? Are you afraid I'll beat you? Come on, I'm fine!" I tell him, turning Sparks and heading towards the course. Charlie calls out "Hey! We didn't even set the course yet!", I canter Sparks in a circle and return to them "Alright, well set it then!" I tell him.
Charlie looks around at the jumps, trying to configure a course in his mind. James still doesn't seem all the way on board with my idea so I move Sparks alongside Joey and smile "Don't worry, I'm fine! I haven't felt better!" I tell him. He smiles back at me "I believe you, I just hope Jamie doesn't come out here and see this. He'll give Charlie and I quite a lashing for it" he replies. Finally Charlie explains the course and James tells me to go first, what a gentleman!
Urging Sparks on, I canter him around the field once. A glance over at James and Charlie shows the two of them are on the edge of their seats, prepared for the worst. I pat Sparks' neck "We'll show those silly boys won't we?" I ask him, he tosses his head and I direct him towards the first jump. He must be able to feel the excitement rising inside me because he lifts his legs higher and holds his head up as we approach the jump. With a graceful leap he gets the two of us over the first jump and I turn him sharply, having him charge towards the next.
The next three jumps are the same as the first, quick and easy. Now we're approaching a rather large double. I take a fistful of Sparks' mane to help myself stay balanced and I shorten my rein. We fly over the first jump, do a little hop, and then we're up over the next jump. The rest of the course is almost a blur, we fly over the jumps and I thoroughly enjoy myself as we do it. I finish the course and pull up next to James and Charlie. James has his jaw set in determination "Come on Joey, I know you've got this" he tells the bay stallion. Joey excitedly springs forward at James' command and they begin riding the course.
While we watch him Charlie looks over at me "You rode well" he says kindly. I smile "Thanks. But why the compliment?" I ask him. He shrugs "I don't know, just trying to be a gentleman" he replies, I laugh lightly "Is that the only reason?" I ask. He looks slightly uncomfortable and begins playing with the cuff of his uniform "Well no..." he says after a moment. Before he can go on James gallops up to us, laughing "What's the matter Charlie? Do you forfeit after watching my perfect performance?" he asks. Charlie shakes his head and takes up Blenheim's reins "Of course not! I'll gladly show you who has the best horse" he says. Blenheim trots out towards the course lazily and James and I watch intently.
The gray stallion takes a few moments to gather up his stride, but once he does he remains collected and it doesn't look like it takes him any effort to leap over every jump. Blenheim looks like something I would have seen on the cover of one of my horse magazines in the future. His knees are perfectly tucked under him and even, and he jumps nearly a foot over the jump no matter now tall it is. And Charlie, while I'll admit James is a much better rider, he at least tries his hardest. Though I notice halfway through the course he has lost a stirrup.
When he finished the course he trots up to us, rubbing Blenheim's neck "Charlie, you've lost your stirrup again!" James teases. I laugh "You mean this happens a lot?" I ask, James nods "Every time he rides faster than a trot he loses a stirrup!" he replies. Charlie looks offended "I do not!" he replies indignantly. The captain and I continue to laugh, until suddenly our eyes catch on a dark horse coming onto the field. James mutters something under his breath, I think it was a curse of some kind that he didn't want me to hear. Before I can ask him Jamie's voice booms across the field "What do you think you're doing on that horse girl? You're supposed to be resting!". I glance over at Charlie and James before taking up Sparks' reins "Shall we run for our lives?" I ask.
Charlie looks over at me and laughs and James nods, turning Joey on his haunches "Oh yes let's!" he replies before letting the bay stallion go. The three of us gallop across the field, heading for the treeline on the opposite end. I urge Sparks faster, trying to keep up with Joey. I hear hooves pounding behind us and I turn around to see Charlie not far behind us, and Jamie and Topthorn are gaining! I turn back, saying "Shit" under my breath repeatedly. I kick Sparks on and he charges ahead, faster and faster.
Soon we're right alongside Joey "James he's gaining!" I tell him. He asks Joey to move faster and I look back to see Charlie is right on our tail, but he's already lost a stirrup. We reach the treeline and begin weaving through the trees, attempting to lose the angry cavalry major. We ride strategically around the field, through the surrounding forest, trying to get back to base where we can run and hide somewhere else. After almost a half hour of hard riding we finally slow our horses down and give them a rest. The three of us all pant as we look around "Do you see him?" Charlie asks. I shake my head and James looks at us "he could be anywhere!".
We start walking towards the base, cooling our horses but keeping a sharp lookout for Jamie. At this point it's merely a game, and we actually wait eagerly for him to materialize out of nowhere. However we make it back to base, and we've got our horses untacked and rubbed down by the time he rides up, panting. As he rides past I stick my tongue out at him teasingly and his eyes widen. He glances around the camp, making sure no one is looking at him before turning and sticking his tongue out back at me. I laugh before following James and Charlie to where they are starting to serve out dinner.
Everyone is sitting and eating by the time Jamie walks in. He pulls up a chair and stands on it, calling out and getting everyone's attention. The room falls silent and he looks around the room "Gentlemen! We are marching out tomorrow morning! I expect you all to be up on your horses ready to move at exactly 4 AM! No excuses. Any man who is late will have to wash dishes once we arrive at reconnaissance. Is that in any way unclear?". There is a murmur of understanding through the room before he steps off his chair with a satisfied nod.
I turn back to James and Charlie and take a bite out of my apple. The two of them talk about the mission tomorrow, and though I'm glad I can finally eat with them at the table, I have to admit the conversation is boring me to tears. I decide to stay polite, and make small talk with Jamie once he has joined us. After a few minutes of talking with him though, I decide I've stayed long enough and excuse myself. The night air is chilly, and I don't think I'm ready to go back to my tent just yet, so instead I head over to where the horses are. Sparks pushes me with his nose as I step in front of him. I move to his side and lean my head onto his neck, twisting his mane through my fingers. I used to do this with my pony, Rocky. I feel my heart twist at the thought of my big chestnut pony. I'd loved that pony, I still love him. I with he could have come back in time with me, he would have loved this!
A voice breaks my thoughts "Don't fret, I'm sure we won't actually have to fight tomorrow", it's Charlie. I turn and look at him, his big eyes are soft and gentle and I offer him a small smile. I sigh "It's not that Charlie, it's just. I miss my home is all. My friends, my family. I have nothing here, not anymore" my heart breaks as I think of everything I came into this time period for. It's all gone! The ship of dreams, the builder, and all the people I admired. The man I fell in love with by accident, all of them gone! It makes me wonder, really really wonder, why I'm still here in 1912. Why didn't I die alongside my fiance that night in the freezing water, why didn't I return to my own time period?
Charlie puts a comforting hand on my shoulder and I let out a sob, the first in a long time "I'm sorry Charlie, please don't tell Jamie about this" I say. I know Jamie and I had a deal I wasn't allowed to cry, when I made that deal I thought it would be easy to keep. I never cry, at least, I never did in the future, and I hardly shed a few tears when death stared me in the face. Yet now, now it feels as though my whole heart is being stomped on repeatedly. Maybe I've just pushed my feelings away too long, maybe I've made sure my thought remained on other things besides home, besides my friends, my family, my companions.
I soon find myself sobbing in Charlie's arms, his hand running through my short hair. He hushes me softly and kisses the top of my head. I look up at him "What was that for?" I ask, my voice cracking slightly. He swallows, he seems nervous, but he doesn't falter as he says "I'm sorry. I know you are still hurting after the death of your fiance. But, but after everything we've done together, and after everything we're going to do. I have to tell you now, I, I love you" he blurts.
We stare at each other in silence, it's hard to see him in the dark, it's hard to see his face and see whether he's merely just saying this to make me feel better, or if he actually means it. After a long moment though, I realize every word he said had been genuine. I run my hand over the front of his uniform, my heart becoming even more torn. Finally I look back up at him "Charlie, I love you too" I whisper. I do, I have grown to love Charlie, more than a friend. I know I shouldn't, I know the promise I made to my fiance. And yet, at this moment, the words he said to me in that dream are urging me not to let Charlie go away. He told me that he wanted me to be happy, and that would be the only way to make him happy.
Hardly thinking, I press my lips to his tentatively. There's nobody here to see, it's just the two of us. I feel Charlie wrap his arms around me, kissing me back gently. Our faces are close together as he says "I don't think you should sleep outside in the cold tonight, it's bad for your health. Won't you come back to my quarters with me?" he asks. Whether I had feelings for him or not, the thought of a bed instead of the cold ground is very much appealing. I'm not going to turn down his offer! I nod and he takes my hand, leading me back towards his quarters.
The two of us walk silently through the camp. As I walk, I think of Jamie, and of James. I told Jamie I wouldn't allow him to court me, and James, well I never really had enough time with the handsome cavalry captain to make anything of it. It's too late now though, I've made my choice. I chose the goofiest officer in the whole regiment, and I'm glad I did! He's a man after my own heart, I remember the way I used to make my own friends laugh. Whether it be by singing silly songs I made up off the top of my head, or telling a terrible joke, or just making a witty remark. Now Charlie's the one doing that to me, and I love it!
When we reach his quarters I notice him toss his cap into a nearby chair, before sitting down at his desk and sighing. He hasn't been sleeping at his desk every night has he? I ask him he nods "I've been sleeping here. I wasn't about to allow you to sleep on the cold ground". I approach him and lean over, kissing him "Charlie, you can come into bed with me if you'd like" I tell him. He grins like a big idiot "Oh, that sounds very improper indeed", he stands up and the two of us go into the bedroom, shutting the door behind us.
I take off my boots and toss my hat and jacket aside, Charlie taking off his jacket. I crawl into the bed and he crawls in on the other side. The two of us lie on our sides, facing each other. We talk quietly to each other, opening up about our fears. He admits he's afraid for tomorrow, but I smile reassuringly at him and tell him that it'll all be alright. "Remember what you said, the Germans aren't going to shoot a fellow with such a stylish cap on" I tell him, causing him to laugh "So you do agree with me! I knew I was right!" he tells me cheerfully.
Things begin to escalate from there, turning from innocent talk to playful kissing and caressing. And then suddenly, our clothes are scattered on the floor. He kisses me passionately, I've never felt this way before! Not even with my own fiance! We had never taken our love this far, we never got the chance. Suddenly I'm scared, I try to remember what my friends in the future had told me about their first time having sex. To my horror though I realize I never actually got to ask them in great detail, they'd talked about it and I'd never really wanted to know the rest. I'd been an innocent, naive teenager then. Now I am about to do the deed myself.
Charlie is on top of my, and he leans down, kissing me "Are you as nervous as I am?" he asks with his usual smile. I nod "It'll be my first time" I admit to him and he nods "Don't worry, it's my first time too" he replies. We merely look at each other for a moment before I swallow "Is it going to hurt?" I ask him, this really isn't a question to ask him but he leans down and kisses me softly, carefully "I would never hurt you intentionally" he replies. I nod, this is it, there's no turning back now. But who says that's a bad thing?
Well that took a weird, and crazily romantic turn. Alright kids, here's the deal. We're going to have the first charge next chapter, but I cannot promise when the next chapter will come out because my birthday is tomorrow, and I'm looking to have a very busy weekend because of that. I'm also working on my Titanic fanfiction, and a Thor fanfiction I have not posted yet but plan to by the end of the month.
Charlie needs some love in this fandom, nobody cares about him! And I think he's a very charming, sweet, funny guy. And he's pretty cute. I mean, he's not Captain Nicholls, but he's still cute! How can you resist him and his silk lined hat?
Now listen you guys, I know there are people following this story, and people have favorited it. And yet, THERE IS NOT 1 REVIEW? What are you people doing? Mocking me? Is this a game? How about 1 review, for my birthday? Please?
Thanks for reading everybody!