Ch

Ch. 27

Henry sat with me for a long time in silence. It was peaceful and comforting, and soon I felt myself falling. I fell into Henry's shoulder, and I made no attempt to move. Instead, I closed my eyes and rested against his warm arm, and he made no attempts to stop me. After a while, I knew I was starting to drift, when I felt myself being lifted. I lay in the warmth happily, and felt it walk me to my room that night.

I grabbed something as I was set on my bed, and when it was tugged, I gripped it tighter. I heard clattering, and something like a sigh. Then the thing in my hand was lax, and I pulled it closer to me. Then there was nothing…

"Are you lying with my daughter for a reason?"

"She won't let me go."

"I see…"

"No-!"

"…"

"I mean- you shouldn't wake her, it's been a hard day for her, right?"

"…Yes. Tell me doctor, were she to release you the moment I depart, would you leave as well?"

"…"

"I see…"

When I opened my eyes it was dark, but not the dark on night. Blinking in confusion, I tried to focus on what was blocking the light, and for that matter, what was around my neck? My sight adjusted and my eyes widened in surprise, for Henry was there!

His arm over my neck in an odd angle, his face close to mine. His breath heated my cheek, and I felt myself blushing. Why was he so close to me? Why did he stay with me, was he worried? As my hands clenched, I remembered.

"She won't let me go."

Without moving my head, I looked down at my hand, and saw his tie beside it. Had it been a dream? It must have been, not only had Captain called me his daughter, but also Henry had also not said he would leave. They were both the things of dreams. Dreams are not real, they did not happen.

With a silent sigh, I softly took the tie in my hand and squeezed. I will not let him go, I finally decided, and for who can tell how long, I watched him sleep. Even from this angle, I could see the darkness under his eyes had shrunk. Amazing what sleep could do for someone. If it was this easy to rid him of the darkness, did this mean he was not sleeping in his own room?

I made a note to chastise Edward later, and moved on to look at the rest of his face. A bumpy nose, thick eyebrows, a high hairline part, a big mouth, strong chin. He needed to shave, and it made me grin. His face was clear, his complexion solid. No red splotches on it, calm.

I had the sudden urge to touch him, and after a moment of fighting myself, I did so. Softly, just his cheek, nothing more than a brush. He smiled, and leaned into the touch. I grinned, and brushed my fingers along his cheekbone. His eyes suddenly opened, and my eyes widened in horror at being caught.

He looked up at me and smiled, "That tickles, you know." I smiled and slid my hand back to my chest quickly. With a yawn, Henry stood up. Well, he tried. He had to stop as his tie pulled taunt. He blinked in surprise, and chuckled, "You're going to have to let me go sometime, you know."

His chuckled stop short as I gripped it tighter. It was silent, and we stood still. His words seemed to have struck us both, for his eyes were wide. My hand shook as I clenched my fist around his tie. I did not want to let him go, even if it was just his tie. Did letting him go now mean I would have to let him go later? Was I keeping him hopeless…?

Without warning, I felt my eyes tear. I would not do it! I would not surrender him; I would not let him go! With an attempt at a playful smile, I shook my head. I could not tell him I would not without letting go, so I just smiled with closed eyes.

He did not laugh, or speak in fact. He merely sat back down. I opened my eyes and stared at him. He was staring at my hand, and he did not look up as he said, "Actually, I fear I'm still tired. I think I'll stay a bit longer…"

I smiled in relief, and nodded. He must have seen, because he leaned forward, and I lowered my hand with him as he lay forward. I lay next to him and closed my eyes, just enjoying his presence.

"When I'm with you, Edward always behaves…" Henry suddenly whispered, "I love these times..." I opened my eyes, and met his, and then I had to look away. There were things in his eyes I did not understand. I do not think I ever will, for they were more complex than any engine, and much more foreign. I could not understand, and I did not want to try, not right now. I just wanted him to stay near.

He sighed, and when I could bring myself to look again, I saw he was sleeping again. Edward must misbehave more than I though if he could sleep after that. Another thing to chastise him about, not that I could blame him. He must feel so alone. I know Henry regrets him, and Henry being the only one Edward can speak to…

Tormenting Henry must be the only way for Edward to get any attention at all. I am sure Henry would oust Edward had he the chance, and Edward must know that. What a sad life to live, being only able to speak with someone who hated you. I do not blame Edward for misbehaving…

I must have fallen asleep anyway, because when I awoke Henry was gone. His tie however, was still griped within my hand. I grinned and brought it to my mouth. I kissed it softly and breathed deeply. It smelled of disinfectant mixed with sea air. It smelled of Henry.

And best of all, I did not have to let him go after all!

My accessories were growing. Along with my sack from Ishmael, I had Allen's hat and Henry's tie. I think I was trying to get something from everyone. Perhaps I will take on of Mina's skirts, Tom's vest and Captain's steel-toed boots…

I laughed and moved through my rounds merrily. When I was done, I headed for the kitchen and snuck an apple from the cook's supplies when he was not looking. I hurried out and ate it as I walked around, trying to decide what I should do. Whether it be helping below or asking Captain to spar with me.

As I decided on asking Captain to spar with me, I saw someone I had never seen before. I looked at him in confusion as we walked towards each other. How was it possible that I did not know him? No new members had been added to the crew, how this man snuck onto the ship?

My confusion grew as he stopped a few steps before me. I stopped as well and looked at him with knit brows. He stood erect, his handsomely smooth face stern, his dark eyes clouded. His eyes…I knew them…

I gasped as I realized who he was. Serious and quiet Prabir, whom I cannot ever remember him not having a thick beard, which obscured his face so badly that only his eyes showed. What on earth had compelled him to shave his face smooth now?

One-half of his lips rose in a crooked smile, which seemed less than warm, "You look confused, dear Marina." I blinked, Prabir and I barely spoke, while I assume myself friends with all the crew few have earn the right to call me 'dear' to them. "Ah, I've done it again, have I? Confused you. I apologize; I'll try to do better from now on…"

My brow knit again, "Now on?" The other half of his lips rose, and his crooked smile disappeared. "I'm ahead of myself, I apologize," he said, and stepped forward, a breaths width away from me. His hand rose and he grabbed a strand of my hair, "Such a shame. Oh well, at least I cut it before the engine it harmed you…"

My eyes widened in shock and I stepped back quickly, "You cut my hair?" I asked. He frowned, "Well that was a stab in the heart. I do recall you would have died if I had not."

He sounded angry, and I did not blame him. I was so shocked, I had been very rude. "Forgive me, but I was never told who-"

"-And you just assume your hair cut itself?" He asked, and his crooked smirk returned. I felt myself color, and looked away, towards the corner. I could make a dash for it and be rid of this awkwardness. Did I really deserve his abuse because I had a moment of ignorance?

"You know most people say 'thank you,' and offer a favor in return," he informed me, looking smug. I frown in annoyance and nodded, leaning forward in a small bow. "My greatest thanks, if there is anything I can do to repay you-"

"-Well now that you offer it, there is something I would very much like you to do," he cut me off. I blinked and nodded, what a horribly sadistic man, for it was obvious my annoyance was giving him some perverse pleasure by his smile.

"So you agree?" he asked, and I nodded, wanting simply to get away from him. He grinned, "Good, then my request is that you marry me."

Time seemed to stop. Had he just proposed?

I shook my head in a jerking motion, to shocked to have proper motor skills. His frown returned, and he spit out, "You just agreed, did you not? Are you to tell me the heir of Captain Nemo does not stick to her word?"

I opened my eyes in shock. I did not agree, I did not know what he wanted! Yet…I did agree. Despite not knowing, I had agreed. What kind of fool was I besides the biggest? I was trapped; the men would think me no more than a scoundrel to refuse. My respect I would lose like a prostitute.

Trapped.

I felt my eyes water as I shook my head in objection. I could do nothing now. Tears fell as he took my chin and raised my head towards him. I glared in defiance. I would sooner be damned then let him steal my lips first kiss.

He did not try to kiss me though. He merely smiled, really smiled, so that his face lit and the clouds of his eyes left him to reveal his handsome face. "So it's decided, as soon as this business with the League is over, we shall be married!"

Side Note:

I am so sorry this took so long! School is the pits! Anyway, I know they'll be less frequent, but I'll try my best to keep them coming as fast as possible!

3 you all,

WitchWhoLovesHim