S. Welles - To Ocean's End

Sam said, “Come this afternoon, don’t think about where to look. Just act and react. The more you try to think, the slower you’ll be. Got it?”

“Yeah,” she said while staring down a sweaty Mido in the cargo hold. Everyone but O’Toole, Jacobi and Rammus had been practicing since breakfast, working in twos and rotating partners every so often.

Dyne said, “Now everyone go wash up and rest up. We should reach port tonight, but be ready at all times. We’ve been hit all over the Channel.” He grabbed his shirt from a nearby crate and slung it over a sweaty shoulder.

Jessie and Mido tapped sparring gloves and she resisted the urge to kiss and hug him. Sparring was a huge turn-on. Even the other crew members began to look good to her when their arms and chests glistened with sweat, and she got to see how strong all of them were. She’d sparred with everyone but Jacobi, Rammus, and O’Toole. All of the men went shirtless at some point. Every crew member, including Dyne, had big arms, but only the younger ones had defined abs. It was a lot of testosterone to be surrounded by but Mido’s presence and her sparring gloves kept her fear far at bay. She was beginning to feel like her old self, the one who loved attention from men, and eating up eye candy.

Jessie and Mido waited outside the showers with Sam and Scully. They all sat on the hard floor with fresh clothes on their laps. The hum of the engine and hiss of the showers filled the air, and the hall lights were set low. It almost would’ve passed for romantic if they didn’t have extra company.

Scully said, “You’re really taking to fighting, Jessie. I’m impressed.”

She shrugged. “I like it. It feels good to beat up people.”

“I bet,” Sam said with a smile.

“I’m slowly learning to not assume my size means I’m at a disadvantage.”

“You’re a smaller target and we’re bigger ones,” Scully said.

Mido said, “And you’re often faster.” He kissed her hand.

“Boy that was funny when you landed that uppercut on Ted,” Sam said. “Didn’t think your fist could reach that high.”

“Oh, yeah,” Mido said, “but I’m most impressed with you fighting Cancer.”

“He didn’t go easy on me at all,” Jessie said with a frown.

“You still did great.”

“Until I ran out of retreating room.”

“Well don’t forget how much more experienced he is. He’s been fighting people smaller than him most of his life, so he knows how to keep his size advantage.”

“He could’ve at least gone easier on me.”

Scully said, “He’s toughening you up that much faster. He’s the most intimidating of all of us, besides Jacobi. You have to practice with him once he’s recovered enough. He’s a deadly wrecking ball with fists.”

Jessie wanted to say “oh, he’s deadly alright” but she kept the thought to herself. So far she hadn’t told anyone about his rape threat. Right now, she wouldn’t put it past him that he’d try to kill her, too, and what better way to mask it than in the heat of battle?

Mido said, “I don’t think they should spar until they make peace.”

Sam said, “That’s right. You two clash. Heard about your kick to his leg. Now that was funny, too!”

Jessie looked at her sandals. “He was being unnecessarily rude.”

“He’s got anger issues,” Scully said with a dismissive wave. “Don’t take it personal. He’s a good guy. Just give him time to warm up to you.”

Fat chance. “I’ll try. I really don’t enjoy being on edge around him.”

“Don’t worry,” Sam said, “We’ll keep him in check. We’ve got yer back. He’s really loyal once he likes you. He’s saved all our lives at one point or another.”

“Even mine,” Mido admitted. “Sometimes he’s just slow to warm up to people, but I don’t get why he’s being such an ass to you.”

“Maybe it’s because of who I am and the danger I bring.”

“All the more reason to be kinder,” Sam said.

Jessie studied him. His aged, gentle features looked nothing but genuine and kind. “None of you are being nice just because I’m her avatar, are you?” Sam scrunched his brows. “Because of what Captain said?”

“That we need you to come to Australia with us?”

Odd, he wasn’t on the same page as her. “Because of how Amphitrite might treat you because of how you all treat me.”

“I forgot about that,” Sam said. “I would like to think not. Besides, I liked you before I knew.”

“As did I,” Scully said.

“Even though I hurt you?”

“Your apology was genuine. That’s one of the few things I remember during my concussion.” Jessie grimaced.

Sam said, “Hard to hate someone who hates Tethys as much as us, if not more.”

Mido said, “And I’m sure you can guess how I felt about you at first sight.” He brought his face tantalizingly close to hers and squeezed her hand.

Jessie kissed her fingertips and pressed them to his lips. He took her hand and kissed her fingers back. She yearned to lean forward and kiss him properly but didn’t want to make their company feel uncomfortable.

Sam said, “You have our permission to kiss Mido in front of us if we get one, too.” The two gave her dorky grins.

“Uh oh, looks like I gotta start sharing.”

Jessie took in Sam and Scully, weighing whether or not she had the courage to give them chaste kisses. She wanted to kiss Mido badly enough to consider kissing others. These two were harmless, she had to admit. She didn’t feel threatened by them, and they didn’t look like they’d expect more from her if she acted upon their request. She let go of Mido’s hand and kneeled before Sam, then planted a kiss on top of his head. She shuffled over to Scully and pecked the top of his blonde head, too. Both men beaming at her, she settled back down next to Mido and gave him a closed-mouth kiss on the lips, but not without sneaking in a tiny lick with the tip of her tongue, just to tease him. She relished the look he gave her when they pulled back. He was going to get even with her in the shower.

Sam said, “That made my day. Hope the misses back home don’t mind.”

Scully said, “Amy’s really good like that. She doesn’t get jealous easily.”

“You’re married?” Jessie asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Sam said, fiddling with his wedding band. “Most of the crew is.”

“Was Dyne ever married?”

“Yes, but don’t ask him about it. It’s bittersweet. He loves women but he won’t ever marry again because of his curse. Not sure what I’d do in his place.”

“I’m sorry to hear,” Jessie said, her heart reaching out to the captain. “Maybe if I can help lift his curse, he can settle down one last time. Lonely is the worst feeling in the world.” She leaned against Mido and he wrapped a strong arm around her shoulders.

“Yes it is,” Scully said.

I stayed with Jacobi in the wheelhouse all day, just in case he stopped feeling confident in his piloting skills. I doubted I’d need to take over since he was in the best mood I’d seen since before our last run-in with Tethys. He was back to being useful, even though he’d rather use his brawn, instead of brain. But whatever. Anything to keep him out of trouble and his focus away from Jessie. He was proving to be obstinate in regards to her.

My crew patrolled the deck like a unit military patrolling its base. We tensed at the sight of every large boat, and exhaled once they carried on without paying us any mind. Mostly small shipping vessels and private charters sailed to and fro, along with fishermen, whales, and dolphins. The marine mammals all paid a visit when Jessie patrolled the deck. She enjoyed their attention until I politely told her she needed to stay focused on keeping an eye out for danger. A small boat could be scouting for targets like my ship.