Ok, you don't have to say it. I SUCK!

I feel like it's been forever! But seriously, I've been so busy. Being at one of the best and most competitive private high schools in the city, means that I have a ton of homework. Also, I had no time during the tennis season(but it's over now), and between trying to be social, school, sports, voice, choir, piano, and family stuff, I HAVE HAD NO TIME AND ALL I HAVE WANTED TO DO IS WRITE AAAHH! Does anyone else feel me on this?

Whatever, I'm here now, and I have a ton of fanfics here I need to catch up on.

Also, this chapter kinda dragged on for me. Usually I have no problems, but this one is a little long and dark, so it was hard to get through it. (But it is really long)

OMG NEXT CHAPTER IS SO GOOD THOUGH AND I"M NEARLY DONE SO SWAG

anyway, S/O to my ladies here, you ARE ALL SO FANTASTIC and I love your writing (and I am going to go review it all here in a sec) Keep doing you!

Also, I am planning a brand new story SO GET PUMPED!

aS usual, please read, review, and enjoy!

xoxoxoxo

Storm clouds rolled in the distance, ominous and black against the sunset, with was vivid with color. Gnomeo rowed with fury, his biceps straining against his shirt. The little lifeboat holding him and Juliet bobbed in the waves towards the shore. Juliet held her mother's rosary in her fist, praying, as the sea splashed her face though she didn't know what she was praying for.

She turned to look at the shore, and to her surprise, she recognized the person standing there, as if waiting for them.

He stood, big and nasty, his cloak billowing in the wind from the fast coming storm. His meaty arms were crossed and his black stallion reared behind him. Thunder rumbled, and Juliet realized that the man was her cousin, Tybalt Redbrick. Her heart dropped to her feet.

"Gnomeo!" She whisper-exclaimed in fear. "Look up!"

"Huh?" He looked behind her. "Oh, God is that-"

"Tybalt." She finished solemnly .

Gnomeo stopped rowing, and Juliet pulled her shawl over her head, which she had originally put on before dinner to be fashionable and now it was serving as a cover against cold wind, water, and people's view. Her heart pounded, and the ocean roared. Gnomeo tried to veer them, and she grabbed an oar to try and help. They both gave it all their strength, but the waves were against them and then the torches illuminated everything. Tybalt's commrades arrived behind him carrying torches, blazing fires that whipped around in the sharp gusts. The light shone, and Gnomeo and Juliet squinted, before realizing that they were now visable. There was only a slight pause as Tybalt saw and recognized their faces, trapped like hunted animals. Gnomeo only had time to whisper,

"I love you, Juliet"

Tybalt took off down the dock, a sword unsheathed venturing further out into the waters.

He lept off the dock, and from where Juliet and Gnomeo were, in seemed he would fall right into the icy rapids, but they did not see there was a raft there Tybalt jumped on the raft, and teetered deathly close, to falling in, but he steadied himself, and began to row with a stick from a torch. Lightning flashed, and the drizzle had knocked out the light from the torches of the group of people. In the powerful flash, Juliet was able to see the rage and anger on Tybalt's face. She saw his upper lip curl in a sinister grin, like it always did when he was about to hurt someone badly. He bent his knees and unsteadily rowed behind them, as Gnomeo tried to keep the distance. Tybalt shouted for them to stop and he shouted obscenities and curses. The waves tossed them, and Juliet gripped the sides of the boat, her knuckles white with fear of falling. She couldn't see Gnomeo's face, but she felt him there. Suddenly, there was a roar, and the boat groaned and tipped. When it steadied, there was a big lump sitting in the middle. Juliet screamed, and like an angry beast, the lump rose to full height with a growl.

Tybalt Redbrick was angry.

He laughed a malicious cackle, his sword shining. "I've got you now, Bluebury. I have the reason to kill you, I've always wanted."

He aimed a punch at Gnomeo's jaw, but Gnomeo deflected it, sending Tybalt skidding back.

"What are you talking about?" Gnomeo yelled, his brow furrowed in defense.

"You kidnapped my cousin!" Tybalt roared. "I can't wait to watch you die a slow and painful and bloody and-"

"NO!": Juliet screamed, coming out of her shock and fear. "He didn't kidnap me! I went with him!"

They didn't realize that the crowd on the dock had gathered, and among them were Lord Redbrick. The crowd gasped, but it was inaudible over the wind.

"What?" Tybalt asked, confused.

"I..I..love him! We were going to be together, away from here" She yelled, and it felt good to say so, in front of everyone.

"What?" Tybalt repeated. "You've lost your mind!" He suddenly yelled, turning on her and not Gnomeo. "Maybe, I'll do away with you too, you crazy bitch."

He grabbed her wrist roughly, but Juliet slapped him in the face with a backhand from her free hand, with a harsh smacking sound.

"YOU WILL NOT TREAT HER LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN!" That was Gnomeo, angrier than he had ever been.

Tybalt pivoted, ready to retaliate but Gnomeo spoke,

"Get away from her, you scumbag." His voice was deathly calm before a storm, his hand balled into a powerful fist.

"She's my cousin!" Tybalt replied, like it was the smartest comeback in the world.

"She's my fiance, or should I say wife!" Gnomeo said, with force. The crowd gasped and exclaimed, wondering if they had heard correctly.

"Juliet, is this true?" Tybalt asked, his voice in quiet awe and possible shock.

Juliet nodded, and then found her voice. "Yes. Yes it is. I married him, and I wanted to"

Tybalt shook his head, trying to process. He was all beef, but no brains.

"This is insane." He muttered.

"You can threaten me all you want, but if you dare ever lay a finger on her again, I will kill you." Gnomeo said, furiously.

"Really?" Tybalt said, lighting up with the fire of fight.

"Damn yes." Was Gnomeo's solid reply.

Everything seemed to still. "Fight me then." Tybalt said cooly.

The wind blew, ruffling everyone, and reaching it's fingers down Juliet's spine, and into her insides.

Tybalt went for the first blow, but Gnomeo deflected it, while backhandedly . going for Tybalt's side. Tybalt took the blow, but caught himself and swung at Gnomeo hitting him squarely in the jaw. Gnomeo yelled in pain, and slugged Tybalt in the eye, causing him to stumble backwards and the boat groaned and tipped to the sea. Juliet tried to come between them, and stop things somehow, her intuition telling her that she had to stop things. It was no use however, because Gnomeo was protectively in front of her, blocking her from Tybalt and the fistfight.

Suddenly, Tybalt weilded a pocket knife from his belt, the blade shining in the lightning. Gnomeo didn't notice it, but Juliet did and she gasped. Tybalt's eyes were shining and focused on his target as he drew the knife back, biceps flexing.

"NO!" She screamed, and knocked the knife out of his hands as she pushed past Gnomeo, Tybalt howled in fury, and aimed a blow at her head, which she ducked and he missed. Her heart was pounding. SHe didn't know where this courage or sharp fighting intutuon came from, but it was driving her every move. Maybe it was the fire of saving her love's life. Gnomeo pushed her behind him once again, and Tybalt lunged, in his whole breadth, to tackle Gnomeo. The boat tipped suddenly, and Juliet felt weightless for a split second before falling in the icy waters with a shriek of fear.

In an instant she was plunged into an ice bath of salt water. In a second, the water had soaked down to her bones, and she was weighted underwater, by the current and force.

She flapped her arms and kicked her legs fervently trying to get air against the brutal waves of stormy seas, but her skirts from her dress weighed her down. Using all her strength, she got her head up and gasped for air, her breathing fast and breathy. Water tickled her chin, and bobbed against her cheeks. Her legs were treading, trying to keep her body afloat, at least

for oxygen. Her lungs were on fire, and she sputtered out water, that seemed to fill her body. Soon, Juliet noticed, her strength was giving out and her muscles burned. She could feel her body resisting, wanting to just sink into the depths of the bottomless black. Her body was going down, and she tried to resist, but she couldn't. Her mind was nothingness, she was dying. She wasn't sure if she was ready, and she was scared, but the waves were over-powering her and she tried to think. All she heard was water, rushing her, louder than her screams. All she felt was the waves knokcing her farther down.

Just then, her extended hand felt something solid. Suddenly, she was drawn above above the water. She gasped as air filled her, and water streamed down her body. Juliet clasped the hand pulling her, and she sputtered for air, gasping as she fell onto a rowboat. Her mind and body were spinning in terror and relief.

She felt someone wrap a heavy blanket around her body, and she felt the hard surface of a boat. Suddenly, she thought of Gnomeo and she tried to sit up and look around for him, but her body rejected the movement, and she tried to gasp. She found herself staring into the eyes of someone. The eyes were hard, cold, and glimmering with anticipation.

'What did he tell you?"

"H-huh?" She barely replied, dazed.

"What did he tell you about us? Where is the money?" The voice was cool and rat-like.

"I-I don't…" She breathed.

She felt very dizzy all of a sudden, and the last thing she heard was someone muttering, "Damn"

Gnomeo had never been so greatful that his mother had forced him to learn how to swim before. Apparently, her childhood best friend had died in a boating accident, and thus sparked Lady Bluebury's interest in her child's swimming ability. The water was cold and rough, but he paddled his head afloat. Honestly he was more worried about Juliet. He hadn't seen her fall, but he had heard her scream, but somehow the current had pushed them apart. He didn't know where he was, but he tried to scan for something to grab, a search boat, or land.

He was very tired but he treaded and bobbed easily looking for light and voices. Suddenly something brushed his leg. Insitnctively, he kicked it away and tried swimming some more.

"Help!"

It was Tybalt. His head bobbed above the water, and his voice was hoarse.

"Help me, please!"

Gnomeo turned his neck to yell behind him, "Swim, Tybalt!"

Tybalt blanched, "I can't!"

"Huh?' Gnomeo replied.

"I can't...swim!" Tybalt shouted.

Gnomeo found himself with a choice. He could leave Tybalt to drown, like he deserved to,and make it to the shore pretty easily. Or, he could help Tybalt, and possibly be dragged down with him. But, he would have Tybalt's death on his conscience. He was a bad man, but he was a man, and he was related to Juliet. And, if he did die in these waters, he had to go to Heaven for attempting to save Tybalt's life.

"Grab on!" He yelled, extending his hand. Tybalt grabbed on and he put his arm around him.

Tybalt was barely breathing. Gnomeo put his arm around him, and paddled with his other hand and legs, exerting his strength minutes that followed were excruciating. He was starting to think he might not make it out of the bottomless blue, when he brushed up against something. To his surprise, it was a large piece of wood. Without hesitation, Gnomeo threw himself on the piece of wood, flinging Tybalt next to him, panting heavily. He was freezing cold and soaked to the bone. He didn't know where he was, but he was alive. He lay his head down on the wood, his legs still submerged in the ocean,trying to steer them somewhere.

He wondered what happened to Juliet, before he closed his eyes.

Juliet woke up in a bed, tucked in sheets. She opened her eyes and the light was so bright that it almost hurt. It took her a second, but then she remembered running away, and Gnomeo, and the storm, and Tybalt and nearly drowning. She tried to sit up, but she was tucked too tightly between the sheets. She tried to speak, but it came out a whimper.

Nanette bustled over, wiping Juliet's face and brushing the hairs off her forehead.

"What happened?' She whispered, her voice dry and light.

Nanette hugged her gently. "Ssh, it's gonna be alright." Nanette's eyes were filled with tears.

"Where's Gnomeo?" She breathed, suddenly feeling very bad.

"You're delirious, Jules. Try to sleep it off."

"Am I dead?" She murmured, her eyelids feeling very, very heavy.

"No dear. You made it."

She closed her eyes, falling into an aybss of sleep, but not before she heard Nanette tell someone. "He's been gone for days, and they haven't found a body yet. I don't know what to tell her, and I don't want to have to. She loves that man."

Gnomeo woke up and there was a seagull on his head. He yelled in surprise and the bird fluttered away squawking in indignance. He must have fallen asleep as they bobbed about the sea. How had they not drowned? He wondered, as he watched Tybalt doze unaware. Suddenly, something rough, scraped his knees. He realized with happiness and joy that it was sand. He looked and saw, of all things, land! It was a deserted beach, but it was solid ground. Never, had he longed for earth so much before. He paddled as quick as he could, and the piece of wood that had saved their lives flipped over as the wave broke on the surf. Gnomeo fell off it, into shallow waters, and dragging Tybalt behind him, staggered onto dry land. When he got there, he fell to his knees, happy to be there. He let the warm sand and earth surround him, and basked in the sun, for a moment of victory against the night. After a while, he wondered where they were. How far had they traveled? What did people in New York think? What about Juliet. Her name in his mind, caused him to stand, and grab Tybalt, heading for the nearest town. He had to get back to her for there was still time to leave.

Gnomeo found himself in a little down called Doze, which was as sleepy as the name. Old people in their rockers on their porches, looked up when Gnomeo came straggling into town, with Tybalt draped around his arm. A matronly woman came out to greet them, from her home.

"Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Yes, this man needs medical attention. Can you direct me to a hospital?' Gnomeo asked, trying to be polite. He needed to dispose of Tybalt to get back to Juliet before something bad happened.

"My husband is a doctor." She replied, kindly. "Bring him inside." She grabbed Tybalt's other arm, and they got him up the steps and into the cape-style house.

The doctor examined Tybalt and his wife gave Gnomeo dry clothes and a bowl of watery soup. Gnomeo hurried through all of it, knowing he had to get home. The doctor said Tybalt would be fine and prescribed lots of rest and constant care. Gnomeo's heart fell. He couldn't watch Tybalt for a while!

"Listen, Dr. Burkemper, you have been kind enough already, but I really need to get back to New York, it's urgent business, and well, obviously Tybalt is in no shape to travel, and I really need to get back-"

"You swam from New York?" The doctor exclaimed, fro his tea.

Gnomeo nodded.

"We can nurse Tybalt" Kirsten, the wife who had greeted them, replied quickly.

'Thank you so much, you have no idea, I swear I'll send for him in a few days." Gnomeo stuttered, very grateful.

"Here, take this, it should cover expenses, you know food, medicine, board. " He handed them a wad of bills. "Sorry if they're a little wet, it's all I have with me here." He said, embarrassed.

"How are you getting back to New York?" The doctor asked, as he walked Gnomeo to the door.

"Uh, the fastest way probably train." He said.

"No, that won't do, the morning train leaves at 9:30 and it's 10:00. The next train won't leave until around two."

"Shit." Gnomeo pushed his temples. "I'll walk if I have to."

"Listen kid," The doctor said, his tone commanding attention. "I don't know what's going on in your life, but it obviously means a lot to you."

"Yeah, it's my everything." Gnomeo said, absently.

"Tell you what, take that horse over there. We're planning to sell her, and she needs the exercise. You can return her whenever you fetch Mr. Tybalt in there."

Gnomeo's heart swelled with gratefulnress. He knew he would forever be indebted to this family. "I can't-"

"Go!" The doctor prodded him.

Gnomeo mounted the horse, and galloped away, convinced that there were angels in the world.

Juliet was frozen. No had told her, but her memory hadn't failed her. Gnomeo was at the bottom on an ocean somewhere. He would have come by now. The way people talked quietly under their breath, around her. They way Nanette couldn't look her in the face, and when she asked, begged even, to see him,no one had said anything.

She sat in a chair, draped in a gray blanket. She stared out the window looking at the trees and people. Silent tears trickled out of her emerald eyes and ran down her face, leaving splotches on her dress. Her hands were clasped, and all the jewelry he had given her, lie between them, like feeling it's smoothness on her hands would conjure him back, like a magic lamp. Juliet was broken inside, and had reverted so far into herself, one would think she was already gone. At least her heart was. It was sitting at the bottom of an ocean with Gnomeo.

Maybe she hadn't noticed, when someone tapped her on the shoulder. A very ratlike man, with greasy hair, and a slick smile had asked her where the money was. She hadn't said anything, like he wasn't there. His questions continued, but she was walled in, like she was trapped in a glass box, and the water inside was slowly rising, and she couldn't hear anymore.

She had not noticed, when he helped her out of the chair, and led her down the steps and out the door.

Gnomeo raced back on the horse. Wind whipped through him, but Juliet's smile burned in his mind, like a beacon that was leading him home. He felt relief when his surroundings familiarized. He rode through the streets, and people stopped and stared at him, but he did not stop. He did not realize he had been gone a frightfully long time, and that his funeral was in the works. He didn't have to get to his home, when Shroom, his faithful companion, came bounding down the street, joyfully barking about the scent of his master. Gnomeo stopped the horse, and jumped off without a thought.

"Shroom! I knew you'd find me! So good to see you boy!"

It never crossed his mind that Shroom might not make it off that boat, when the gun was fired. Shoom was his rock and was always there.

He hugged his friend. "C'mon, boy. We are going to see Juliet and make this right!"

They rushed to the Redbrick manor. Gnomeo was surprised to see his mother's carriage, parked out in front. He lept up the clay stairs, two and a time, imagining his sweet Juliet, waiting her bedroom window, waiting for him. He pushed the door open.

The first thing he heard was shouting coming from the dining hall Slowly, he walked in, Shroom followed dutifully. Lord Redbrick and Lady Bluebury were standing at opposite ends of a large cherry-wood table Redbrick was purple in the face, and Lady Bluebury's fist was clenched in raw hatred. Gnomeo stood there, in horror. He realized the hatred that drove him to run away with his love, would never go away.

He stood in the doorway, wondering what to do. When Lady Bluebury looked up and saw him there. She gasped.

"Oh my God, GNOMEO!" She raced over, lifting her heavy, black skirts and embraced her only son, whom she had believed was dead.

"You're alive! My sweet boy is alive! Thank you, Jesus!" She cried, clinging to her son.

"Mum." Gnomeo replied, detaching her from his chest gently.

"Are you alright? Let's get you sitting down, maybe some tea?"

"Mum!" He pulled away from her. "I'm fine!"

Lord Redbrick had been very quiet, and he kept glancing behind Gnomeo, into the doorway which he had come in. "Where's Tybalt?" He asked tiredly.

"I left him with a doctor, at this address." Gnomeo replied curtly. He handed Lord Redbrick a piece of paper with the doctor's address. "You should send for him, straightaway."

"Gnomeo, sit down, and tell me everything, you had us all worried! Why, I was this close to choosing the wood for your coffin!" Lady Bluebury insisted.

"No!" He exclaimed. "I can't right now."

"What? Why not?" She asked, taken aback.

"I need to get to Juliet" He muttered.

"Pardon?' She asked.

"What?" Lord Redbrick.

"This may come as a shock to you, but I am in love with your daughter, Juliet, and I intend to take her as mine. I love her, and she loves me and you will not keep us from being together, ever!"

He turned his heel, and raced up the stairs, to her room, ignoring the shouts below.

He opened the door, his heart full, but instead saw nothing. The room was completely devoid of any humans.

"Juliet?" He called. The answer was empty silence. "Are you there?" He noticed the balcony door was wide open. He walked out, and on the steps he saw Sowden's carriage boy sitting, smoking a cigarette.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, feeling confused.

The boy turned around, "Sir Gnomeo! I didn't 'spect to see you!"

"Yeah. What are you doing here?"

"Mr. Sowden was here on business." The boy replied, as he took another drag.

"What sort of business?" Gnomeo asked.

The boy shrugged. "I dunno. He left with a lady."

Gnomeo suddenly sensed something was very wrong. "Listen, I need you to tell me what she looked like."

"I didn't see her well sir. "

"You can't tell me anything?" He implored the boy.

The boy thought for a second, "She had brown hair, I know. She was real pretty. There was a nice red ribbon in her hair." He shrugged again. "That's all I know, sir."

The red ribbon, brown hair, could it be Juliet? He heard their parent's footsteps on the staircase from inside. He had to find Sowden. Juliet was in trouble.

Ok, so that was intense! Get ready, cause next chapter is so AWESOME! Anyway, love you guys and see you soon!

R&R

xooxoxxoxoxoxoxo

lorelibelle54 or CARRIE :)