So I've gotten quite ahead of myself with this book and I'm full blown into it now. I've never had this much inspiration for my books. I hope you guys enjoy this one and please let me know in the reviews!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Adventures of Tintin

Aurora's eyes opened wide in amazement as Haddock gestured her into the room right off the dining room. She hide her face in her hands, stepping into to her own little wonderland.

The room was full of model ships, from top to bottom, there must have between over 50 of them. Sitting on shelves on the walls, set up on desk and chairs, laying on the floor. Some were under glass cases, others were open for all eyes to see and all hands to touch. The ships were an array of different colours and shades, ranging from bright red and blue to dull purple and greens. The very essence of the sea lived in this room and Aurora was in awe. There were stories attached to each and every one of these ships and a deep longing to know them filled Aurora and she walked further into the room of ships. Her eyes surveyed all the colours, shapes and angles.

Stopping at the far right corner of the room, Aurora knelt beside a dim glass case. The ship inside the case was perfect.

The dark stained wooden bottom was smooth, each plank fit perfectly into the next above. The yellow substructure for the cannons was full of colour and style and each hole was carved out perfectly. It had fifty glistening guns, Aurora counted. Three masts were structurally sound and weighed down by crisp white sails. Both decks were for lack of a better word, decked out to the fullest. Aurora smiled as she spotted a glittering unicorn placed at the front of ship, leading it on. She looked up at Captain Haddock and Tintin, who had stopped not far from her.

"This is it, right?"

Haddock smiled, his hands on his hips.

"That it is, one of the three,"

Aurora looked back at the ship.

"You were right, it's very beautiful. The prettiest boat I've ever seen,"

Haddock puffed out his chest proudly.

Aurora stood back up, turning around on her heels to look further around. This was her paradise and she could not be happier taking in all the sights.

Haddock, having taken off his hat and holding it to his chest, watched her with a soft smile on her face. Aurora's eyes were sparkling and she looked like a child in a candy shop for the first time, exploring each and every ship that caught her attention. Haddock could not be more pleased at her attention to his beautiful ships.

Tintin, who had stopped beside the Unicorn, was amazed at how happy Aurora seemed to be just looking at the little model ships Haddock kept. They were extremely detailed and quite beautiful, but they all looked fairly similar to him, except for the colour of each one. He was not going to be the one to point that out to her though, he liked seeing her smile. Blushing suddenly, he ducked his head down; she had a wonderful smile.

Aurora finally stopped on one of the aisles, kneeling down by a smaller ship underneath a few of the larger ones. It was a simple ship, but very beautiful. The deep red and purple colours shone in Aurora's eyes and she could not help but reach out to touch the smooth wood making up the structure of the ship. The deep brown cherry colour of the desk was a sharp contrast to the sparkling white sails that seem to billow out as if it was caught up in some imaginary wind. Aurora smiled as she ran her finger over the silver guns lined up on the deck.

Haddock and Tintin met her in the aisle, giving her space as she looked up at them, smiling from ear to ear.

"This is a beautiful ship. Cherry wood is my favourite,"

Haddock smiled as he bent down beside her.

"It is a beauty, even more so on the sea itself,"

Aurora looked back at the little ship.

"I can only image,"

Haddock bent down and gently took the ship off it's little shelf and held it out to Aurora, smiling as brightly as she.

"You can have it if you wish,"

Aurora stood up with the captain, holding a hand to her chest.

"Oh no, Mister Haddock, I couldn't possible take your ship,"

Haddock looked around the room, winking at Aurora playfully.

"I'm sure it will barely be missed in this room,"

He handed the ship to her and she held in her hands gingerly. She looked down at the ship, her eyes full of joy.

"Thank you, very much Mister Haddock,"

Haddock shook off her thanks with a laughing smile, beckoning Aurora forward, he lead her and Tintin out of the little room, disappearing through the dining room door. Tintin looked at Aurora, smiling gently.

"That is a very beautiful ship,"

Aurora looked at him, smiling softly.

"I thought so too,"

The two stood awkwardly together for a moment, Tintin inspecting his hat closely, while Aurora held the ship close to her, looking down at it as an excuse to look anywhere but at Tintin. The distance between the was painfully obviously and they were relieved when Haddock returned back into the room.

"Well it looks like time has gotten away from us. It's near on 10 o'clock. It's as black as pitch out there. We'd best be getting you home, miss,"

Tintin spoke up, replacing his hat firmly.

"I can take her home, Haddock,"

Aurora looked sharply at Tintin and he looked down. He had forgotten, she was the independent type. He swallowed lightly and looked back at her.

"I mean, we live in the same building, I'll walk you home,"

Aurora held her ship close and did not answer. Haddock, sensing the tension between them. Hoping to break the silence, he clapped his hands together, which echoed loudly, causing Aurora to flinch. Haddock didn't notice as he started to walk with the two to the front door.

"Well, young Aurora, by thundering tycoons, I must thank you for your enchanting company this night, I hope we can see each other again," He made a sweeping bow at the Marlinspike main door and Aurora giggled, ducking her head behind her ship.

"Thank you Mister Haddock, I hope so as well. Thank you again for this ship,"

Haddock held up his hands.

"Please, call my captain, miss. And don't think of it, anything to bring out that bright smile of yours," he winked at her and Aurora blushed, hiding once again. Tintin ground his teeth, looking down at the floor. Haddock's over exaggerated niceties were irritating. Although, he knew deep down, he was only angry because he could not bring himself to tell Aurora the exact same thing; it had never been his nature to romance girls and he was not about to start now. Not with an adventure on his doorstep.

Aurora was walking down the doorstep as Tintin came out of his thoughts. He shook himself and hurried down the steps after her. Waving once more to Haddock, Tintin scowled at the Captain's knowing wink. Haddock had seen his frustration and had obviously taken a guess. That was the last thing Tintin needed, Haddock ruining Aurora and his delicate relationship or whatever he could call their awkward acquaintance.

Tintin breathed a deep sigh of relief when he and Aurora walked up the porch steps of their apartment building. Normally, he enjoyed walks through the darkness, it was easier for him to think. But the awkwardness of Aurora walking close beside him was unbearable and he had spent most of it walking with his head down, hands stuffed deep into his pockets. Now, finally, they had made it home and none to soon either. Tintin had just noticed now that Aurora was shivering.

He opened the door quickly and ushered Aurora inside. As quietly as they could, they walked up the creaking staircase until they reached Tintin's flat. Aurora looked at the ginger-headed boy as he turned to follow her up her stairway. Tintin half-smiled at her.

"I said I would walk you home, these stairs count,"

Aurora smiled and continued up to her flat, Tintin walked behind her. His lighter, less protective mood seemed to be satisfy Aurora. Maybe Tintin could finally relax around her and they could just be friends. Although it was hard for Tintin not to be protective, that was how he was raised. Girls were to be protected and Tintin had never come across such a strong spirited girl such as Aurora. If he could see her as more than just a girl, maybe he could ease off on his protectiveness.

Aurora turned around at her door, smiling shyly, looking down at her ship.

"Can you hold it for me? I need to unlock the door,"

Tintin nodded wordlessly, stepping forward to unburden Aurora from the ship. Aurora took out a small key from her dress pocket and slid it into the lock, the skittering of tiny paws signalled Russel's arrival at the door and Aurora ducked down before she opened it, scooping her ginger kitten up before he could escape. She smiled softly, kissing the kitten's head as he batted his tiny paws at Tintin. Laughing, Aurora nuzzled it's head and beckoned Tintin to follow her in. Still holding the ship, Tintin stepped through the door behind Aurora, who let her kitten down after the door had closed. As Aurora took the ship back from Tintin, he took a glance around the room, amazed at the change she had accomplished since he'd last visited.

The walls were covered with colourful flags from all over the world, family photographs and several paintings of ships and airplanes. The windows was lined with old sailcloth's for curtains. Her tiny fireplace mantel was lined with tiny model animals from across the globe and one large candle carved into a black panther. Tintin had never seen anyone so passionate about the world itself.

He looked at her now, moving aside a few odds and ends on a wide desk, setting down her ship as carefully as she could in the newly acquired space. The mystery about her was becoming clearer in his mind. Aurora had a seemingly unquenchable thirst for the world around her. It had been hidden from her somehow and she must be determined to find it. Was that why she was here? Alone in a dominate male apartment without any family? Was she trying to discover the world for herself without someone always pulling her back when she got to deep?

Aurora looked back at Tintin, cocking her head at him as he stared at her. He finally noticed her gaze and shook his head, looking around once more, avoiding her eyes.

"I love the way you've decorated," He walked over to the wall closed to the desk Aurora stood at, looking admiringly at the flag of Germany.

"Thank you, I made those flag,"

Tintin looked closer and noticed the fine stitched of needle point.

"They're very good,"

Aurora looked down at her feet.

"Thank you,"

Tintin looked at her from the side. He sighed heavily.

"Aurora, I…"

Aurora looked up at him, her eyes soft. Tintin took a breath and spoke again.

"About my warning. I… I didn't mean to offend you or make you think I thought you were weak. Haddock told me I should tell you and I suppose I made it sound as if I were trying to protect you, which is what I was doing… but I didn't mean to- ,"

"Tintin, Tintin, stop please," Aurora stepped toward and he pressed his hat close to his chest, looking at his feet. Aurora sighed as well.

"I must apologize to, I shouldn't have been so cold. I know you were trying to protect me and I do thank you for the warning, it was the right thing to do,"

Tintin looked up at her, smiling bashfully, his cheeks flushed.

"So… may I ask… did I offend you?"

Aurora looked up at the wall, tracing a finger down on the frames. Tintin looked at the picture. He assumed it was her family. Aurora herself stood in the middle, three older and rough looking males stood around her which he assumed to be her older brothers. An older man and women stood behind them. Aurora sighed again and looked back at Tintin, her eyes shining.

"No, you did not offend me. But you did hurt me," Tintin frowned and was about to open his mouth to apologize again when Aurora raised her hands for him to stop. "No, no, there is no need to apologize. You did not mean to hurt me and you certainly did not do it on purpose," Aurora sighed again, looked once more at the picture and then straight at Tintin.

"My family… my father I should say, made me live a very sheltered life. I was never allowed to play or go on adventures with my bothers and could never do anything fun unless I was properly protected and guarded. He is extremely old fashioned in the sense that he believes young girls should be raised to get married and start a family and never think beyond their own home," she stopped to take a breath, he eyes closed and she composed herself, her voice had raised significantly. "I cannot bring myself to live such a monotonous life, not even for my father and mother. I was not born to bear and raise children!"

She turned away from Tintin, gesturing around the room at all the ships, flags, animals and anything else that resembled her desire for the world. Turning back to Tintin, he noticed her eyes had grown brighter and she smiled excitedly.

"I want to see the world Tintin! To be on all these ships, to see all these animals for myself! I need to break free of the standards that has been put on me. I want to live my own life! To find adventure and have some fun and see danger with my own eyes. You know what I mean?"

Tintin nodded quickly, smiling at Aurora, matching her excitement.

"I do, you and I think very alike. I live for adventure,"

Aurora nodded, walking back to him.

"Yes and I do as well! I still have yet to have one of my own. That is why I left home. I know you probably think that women are meant to only leave home with their husbands, but I've never had a suitor and have yet to find one who wanted adventure as much as I did. So, that, Tintin, is why I was hurt when you warned me about the dark-skinned man. It was my old life all over again, everyone believing I needed protecting and saving, when in reality, I can take care of myself," she puffed out her narrow chest and placed her hands on her hips, staring defiantly at Tintin, as if daring him to argue. He was not about to, he could see the determination in her eyes and knew it all to well as his own rebellious nature. He stepped forward.

"Aurora, I just want to say once again, I am sorry for hurting you and assuming you needed my protecting," he gripped his hat once a little tighter, looking down at his feet. "I have a very protective nature, but I see now that you don't need my protection," Aurora relaxed, smiling happily as she held out her hand to Tintin.

"Friends?"

Tintin took her hand in his, as he had done when they first met, all the awkwardness of their previous meetings melted away and he smiled at her.

"Of course!"

Aurora smiled as she shook his hand and they let go. Aurora blushed suddenly and looked down at her feet.

"I'm sorry, I did not mean to spill out all my frustration onto you,"

Tintin shook his head, stepping forward to place a hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him, still smiling bashfully. He smiled back reassuringly.

"There is no need to apologize. I understand now and even though I love a good mystery, I'm glad you've solved it for me

Aurora laughed gently and looked down again.

"Thank you," she whispered. Looking back up at him, she smiled, searching his eyes. Tintin removed his hand and cleared his throat, suddenly self conscious of her look. He adjusted his hat and replaced it on his head.

"Well, it is getting late now. I should get back downstairs. I'm sorry about the lateness of the hour," Aurora followed him to the door, still smiling.

"It's fine, I quite enjoyed it,"

Tintin felt his face flush again and he cleared his throat.

"Ah, uh, yes. It was a wonderful evening. Until tomorrow, have a good night Aurora," He backed out of her apartment, nearly slipping on the threshold. Aurora waved at him gently, her smile growing.

"You as well Tintin," with that, she closed the door and Tintin bolted down the stairs, fumbling with his keys for a minute before stumbling into his flat, startling Snowy, who scampered around at his feel. Looking down, Tintin realized he had forgotten Snowy had come stood with his back to the door, his hands grasping the sides.

What was that? Why had he suddenly gotten all sweaty and nervous?

Shaking his head, Tintin walked over to his small bathroom, leaning over the sink to turn on the water and splash some of it over his face to cool down, trying to rid himself of the nerves. He felt slightly embarrassed and could only hope Aurora had not noticed as much he thought she had.

What was going on with him?

Next chapter will be up as soon as I edit it, so possibly this weekend