Ch

Ch. 24

I woke up happily on day two of repairs. I dressed in another white outfit and retied my black band on my arm. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I grinned as I grabbed Allen's hat and put it on my brushed hair. It was too big for me, and flopped oddly as I walked, but it was fun wearing it. I felt like an adventurer in it.

I hummed in my head through my rounds this morn, for my bad mood had all but dissipated from yesterday. After walking around the ship and helping Captain with repairs with Allen's hat on, the men seemed to forget all about my outburst and jostled me good-naturedly. They asked why I would steal his hat and other such things, and I would always tell them I was teaching the toad a lesson about manners. If he forgets them again, he can forget getting his hat back any time soon!

The few men I passed today laughed just as loudly as they had yesterday as I jumped around, making the hat bounce on my head. It was fun, and kept me entertained until I could head down to the engine room, where I was sure I could find something to do.

On my way down, I met Tom and Allen. Tom laughed when he saw me and said, "So it's true ya bested 'im for his hat?" I took a bow, and jumped back quickly as Allen snatched for his hat. He cursed under his breath as he straightened. I grinned and hopped about out of his reach, sticking out my tongue mockingly. Tom was laughing at our routine, and Allen muttered, "Shut up, boy."

Tom chuckled again and pulled something out of his pocket, I stopped dancing to look at it better, and saw it was a slip of paper. I raised my eyebrow at him as he held it out to me and took it tentatively. He laughed as I stared at it distrusting, but after the note I had given him, I could only assume the worst.

"Wanted to give it to ya yesterday but you were so outta it you didn't hear us." He said smiling. I coughed a bit to hide by blush and nodded. Allen chuckled at my unease and asked Tom, "What's this then?" Tom just grinned, "Just us cheering each other up."

I sent my eyes towards the sky and ended up looking at the roof of the hallway. I sighed and opened the note before I could give myself time to stop myself.

I should have stopped myself.

What Tom had written was so amazingly wonderful and touching, yet at the same time a horrible and cruel script. I felt my face heat and I am sure I looked awfully odd as I stood there staring at the note. If I could speak, I would have been yelling horrible things. As it was, signing to him would not do any good against one who did not understand.

"I believe Jekyll has fallen for you."

I could not look at him. With hunched shoulders and a fearful expression, I backed up and turned to run. The paper was crumbled in my hand, which was shaking. I was not sure if I was angry…Or incredibly happy that someone unbiased wrote that. Then again, he did tell Allen it was just to 'cheer each other up.'

"I think you failed, boy," I heard Allen muttering, and called out, "Marina, I mean it!" I turned on my heel, not bothering to hide my blush, and my finger (of peril) pointed at him. Unfortunately, it was shaking, and I knew I must look like an angry bull than a woman. Wishing I could yell, wishing he knew my signs, I eventually gave up and threw my hands into the air. I turned again and started to walk away.

Tom was laughing, and I heard him call, "Your welcome!" I stopped, and sighed. Returning the favor, telling the other what they wanted to hear. Is this what we really saw in each other, only hope that those much older than ourselves would care for us?

I grinned, and turned around. My left fist rested on my hip, and with my right hand, I made the 'thumbs up' sign and gave it to Tom with my arm outstretched. It was my only way of showing him. My good luck to both of us. The hope we would both keep to obtain the ones we cared for. I could only hope he would understand.

He seemed taken aback and frowned in confusion. It took him a moment, and then he smiled again. He understood, and he nodded his head and showed me the same thumbs up sign. We were grinning, Allen was confused, and that was how Henry walked in on us.

He stared at us with brows raised high. Tom and my hands dropped simultaneously, and my face fell in horror. Allen just shook his head, "I've been lost since they started, good luck," he said to Henry, and turned back the way he came with his head still shaking. I stared at Tom with wide eyes, and he grinned. My mouth fell, if he did what I think he wants to I would-

"Later Marina!" Tom laughed, before hurrying to follow Allen. Oh, the things I wish I could have screamed after him! I glared, and was so busy figuring out how to slip garlic in his food so Mina would not go near him, I did not hear Henry walk up next to me.

"Marina?" he asked softly, "Are you okay?" I flinched at his voice. Did he remember, would he ask? Had my statement been too obvious? Had he guessed? Was he coming to turn me down?

I became afraid, and I shook as I nodded my head slightly. I could not look at him, and I wondered if he noticed. He must have, because he gave a small sigh and stepped in front of me, forcing me to look at him. I did so unwillingly, knowing I was red in the face.

"I need to talk to you about yesterday," he said, and I shook harder. Oh Kali, he remembered. Quick, what can I hit him with, I will give him amnesia and he will not remember anything! There was nothing to hit him with in reach, and only after I realized that did I understand just how stupid I was being. It was not as though I ever thought that he could…Or that we…

I guess it really does not matter now, does it?

His hands were on my shoulders, and I looked at them confused. What was he doing? "Marina, I understand why you said what you said yesterday. By law, whomever you married would own all you inherit, but-"he trailed off, sighing. W-what was this? Why was he telling me he understood? Why would he need to understand unless…?!

"-You've really hurt the men, Marina."

…

…Ouch. So much for that.

I looked at Henry in confusion, too shocked to blush. What was he talking about? Maybe I might have hurt Maitreya, but I was planning to apologize today anyway. Why were the other men hurt? My confusion must have shown, because Henry smiled slightly and said, "Your words hurt them. Please go talk with them."

I stared at him, frowning slightly. I gave a small laugh, "I don't talk, Henry. My 'words' aren't real." I signed to him, looking away. It was a nice gesture on his part, and I smiled slightly for it. He did not seem to have words, at least for a moment, because he finally said, "Your signs are your words, Marina, and they're just as powerful."

I looked at him in shock. I knew my signs were my words, but I did not think they were powerful. In fact, they were easy to toss aside just by looking away. Like they never happened, and my 'voice' did not exist. He smiled down at me, and I returned it. I nodded; I would go straight to the sick bay. He did not let me walk alone, we walked side by side, and I was content.

We were one corner away from the sick bay and he stopped. I did as well and looked at him. He smiled slightly and whispered, "Its best if you talk to them alone, they might not be so open if I'm there." I nodded reluctantly and started forward, only to stop again as I felt his hand holding the back of my top. I looked back and he smiled, "Don't worry, if it gets bad, I'll intervene," he promised. He let go of my shirt and winked! I smiled at the gesture and he nodded me forward. I did so giddily, with a goofy smile on my face.

It fell as soon as I walked into view. The men turned and glared at me. The men never seriously glared at me before, but I could sense no joke in their looks. The very air felt dense, and I involuntarily shuttered. "Where's Maitreya?" I asked in general, but no one answered. My brows knit together and I walked forward, hoping he would still be here.

He was, and I sighed in relief. I walked forward, and he looked at me. His glare was the worst, because he never ever glared at me. Not even the time I accidentally ran into him and we fell down the stairs. He had protected me, and broken his hand in the process. He had not glared even then, and it felt like a knife to the heart. He was my best friend, and I had truly hurt him.

"Maitreya I'm really sorry about what I said yesterday," I signed, aware of the men watching me. He just continued to glare at me, and I shrunk under his gaze. "I mean it; I did not mean to say that. I never wanted anyone to know I-"

"-Why bother apologizing? Aren't you afraid I'm going to steal Nautilus from you?" He asked, and I could almost taste the bitterness in his voice. I frowned in shock, my eyes wide. That is why he was upset, not because I said I would never marry? He just glared as I tried to process his words.

"You have some nerve to apologize like what you said was no big deal," he said. "Are you really just that stupid? Or do you really just not trust any of us at all? You're really not going to marry because you think your husband will take Nautilus?" He finally stopped. He was yelling, and panting hard, and I could not move. I just stood there, not knowing what to do. I deserved this, it was my fault he felt bad. It hurt though to hear him say things like that. I know I am stupid, he needs not say it!

He wasn't done, "Well?" he demanded, and I nodded my head softly. He seemed to explode then and there, and he was on his feet so quickly I gasped. He loomed over me, and he was so menacing I shook.

"Your nothing but a fool, aren't you Marina? What kind of shit is it that you really think any of us would ever sail under someone besides you? You must have cotton for brains if you really think that after Captain Nemo hands over everything to you, we'll really just let some man take it from you," he kept yelling, and I felt myself tearing. I was a fool, I agree with you, Maitreya. I deserve to be punished. He was done though with one last question, which he had already asked, "Are you really that stupid?" His voice was a whisper, and I lost it.

With a small sob, I nodded, and I felt his arms around me. I just stood there and cried. I could not speak the word 'sorry,' and my hands were held to my sides. I think they heard it though, because the thickness of the air thinned. I stood there and sobbed for what seemed like forever. Then, my tears dried, and I pushed away, scratching at my eyes.

Maitreya laughed softly, "Sorry Marina, no matter what, you're still just a girl, and you want to get married, right?" I nodded, and he grinned, "Great! When do you want the wedding?" My mouth dropped and I punched his arm. He laughed again, "Worth it." The men were laughing at him, and I shook my head, smiling.

I waved goodbye to the men, and headed towards where I had left Henry. I found him leaning against the wall, looking at the porthole intently. He was whispering to himself, and he looked vexed. He did not notice me until I touched his arm. He looked down in alarm, and then smiled. "You have true friends, Marina," he told me, and he seemed almost envious.

I could have told him I was his friend, and that the League was too. It just did not seem like it was enough though. So I smiled, and took his hand. His eyes were wide as I kissed it softly, and I grinned at his shocked face.

"M-Marina, I-"I shook my head, and he shut his mouth obligingly. I smiled, and carefully put his hand down beside him again. For a moment, he stood there, looking dumbstruck, confused, and happy in his understanding of my message. Then, without warning, I was in his arms.

He was shaking, and holding me very tightly. He was warm and secure, even if you would never guess it at first glance. Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around his waist and held him just as tightly.

I made several decisions as I stood there:

One- I liked Henry's hugs better than any I had ever received before.

Two- I would hug him whenever I got the chance.

Three- I liked the scent of disinfectant mixed with sea air.

Four- It did not matter how he felt about me, I was going to stay by his side forever, even if it killed me.

And Five- I was hopelessly in love with Henry Jekyll.

Side Note:

Holy Crud XD 2000+ hits and 49 reviews!! I 3 you all!!

Sadly, I go to my dads this weekend and he checks my comp. so I probably wont have chapter 25 till Monday. Sorry!! I hope this ties you over