S. Welles - To Ocean's End

Her gut told her there was nothing she could’ve done differently. The ultimate outcome wasn’t up to her since it wasn’t her curse. And if he didn’t love her, he didn’t love her. So now what?

Rammus threw them two lines. Ed and Jacobi woodenly tied them to the kernels’ bows, then Jacobi took off up the ladder, followed by the rest of his boat. Cancer disappeared from the railing as the others watched Jessie and the techies ascend the ladder. Scully and Rammus helped her up on deck, hoisting her by her tired arms, and then did the same with Ed and Ted, who were both winded. The rest of the awaiting crew kept their distance, watching on with eyes full of concern.

“Where’s Captain?” Rammus said.

Jessie and the two techies shook their heads, and Jessie felt like she was watching Rammus’s heart sink as his shoulders drooped and his gaze fell to the deck. O’Toole cried harder.

Cancer called them over so he could give each of them a quick checkup. He was in the middle of examining Jacobi’s cuts and scrapes on his chest and stomach, Mido watching on. Ed and Ted started heading across the deck. Jacobi glared at Jessie and lowered his shirt, then stormed in her direction.

She had an inkling that she was in imminent danger but denial made her just stand there and try to sort things out as he reached for her. He couldn’t possibly be trying to do anything to her with the whole crew watching. He wouldn’t dare. His strong hands seized her shirt, making it dig into her underarms, and he pushed her to the railing and began to lift her.

“Whoa, wait!” Ed exclaimed. “What are you doing?”

The instant Jessie’s feet left the deck, she began punching Jacobi’s arms and face, and kicked his legs. Unfazed by her assault, he lifted her higher as Ed and Ted grabbed his arms. The seat of Jessie’s pants brushed the railing right before she slipped out of his grip. He shook the techies off and she landed on the deck.

“Back off!” he yelled. He reached for Jessie again but Mido put him in a headlock from behind and pulled him away. Jacobi grabbed Mido’s shirt at the shoulders, bent his knees, then heaved the cook over his head. Mido did half a flip and landed hard with Jacobi landing on top of him. Mido let go and Jacobi rolled to his feet. “I’m doing you a favor, Mido.”

Clutching his side, Mido pushed to his feet, laboring for breath.

“And what kind of favor is that?” Ted said as both techies stood between Jacobi and Jessie.

“We need to get rid of her. She’s the reason we lost Captain. Her presence on this boat has done nothing but make our lives worse.”

“What are you talking about?” Ed said, exasperated.

“Look at what Amphitrite did to Captain.” Jacobi stood inches away from the techies, as if positioning himself to burst through them. Jessie scooted behind Ted, the bigger of the two. “That bitch behind you is her avatar, meaning she’ll bring just as much misery as the original. We need to get rid of her right now.”

“She’s only been trying to help, you moron!” Mido yelled.

“Then what do you call her escape attempt and the break-in into the container a few months ago? Those weren’t overly helpful. We should’ve let her run off.”

“She was scared. And your rape threat didn’t help.”

Rammus and the others exclaimed disbelief.

Cancer said, “Is this true, Jacobi?” He didn’t sound the least bit pleased. Jessie kept quiet, fearing things would escalate if she tried to say anything.

“She’s garbage, Mido,” Jacobi said. “You can do better than her.”

Mido let go of his side and lunged at Jacobi, fists leading the way. He got in one good shot to Jacobi’s jaw, who shook his head once to clear it, then backed out of Mido’s attacks as he blocked or deflected them.

“Come on, man. Look at things my way. I’m not the enemy. She is.”

Mido kept pressing his offensive without slowing. Jacobi avoided a few more swings, then shifted his stance and held his ground. He sucker punched Mido in the side he’d been holding a moment ago. Mido’s knees hit the deck and Jacobi kicked him upside the head, toppling him over. Mido lay there in fetal position, clutching his side and taking in fast, shallow breaths, eyes wide with agony.

“I told you I’m doing you a favor,” Jacobi said unhappily. “Now stop being stupid.” He faced the techies again. “Get out of my way.” They held up their fists, making him scowl. He flexed his fingers and rolled his neck, then went wide-eyed before his gaze went vacant and he dropped to the deck, unconscious.

In his place stood Cancer, open-palmed fist outstretched and a disappointed frown on his face. He heaved a sigh and lowered his arm. “No more of that.” He faced the rest of the crew. “If any of you get any more wild ideas about throwing Jessie overboard or causing her any harm, you will be dealing with me personally. You have been warned.”

Jessie couldn’t believe what she just heard. After his clear disapproval of her company on board months ago, now he was defending her right to a place on the ship. She wanted to voice her gratitude but she still felt too scared to say a word to anyone.

When no one moved or said anything—just O’Toole crying—Cancer gave Jacobi a cursory glance before heading to Mido and kneeling at his side. “Sauna, would you mind running for my emergency medical kit in the wheelhouse? It’s next to the door.” The techie ran off as Cancer carefully helped Mido roll onto his back. He was barely conscious and sucking in one shallow breath after another. Caner pulled up Mido’s shirt and began gently prodding his side. Mido winced and let out a cry of pain. Scully ran over and took his arms to stop him from rolling around. Mido clenched his teeth and held on tight.

Jessie yearned to run to his arms and give him kisses and words of comfort, but not only was he unable to hug her back right now, she feared moving as much as she feared speaking. Tears blurred her vision. Ed and Ted wrapped her in a group hug and took turns kissing the top of her head. She clung to their arms, feeling powerless to help Mido’s pain go away as thoughts about how Tethys and his crew had treated her like garbage. To be called that after having come so far as to make love with Mido, it just ripped her sense of self worth right out of her.

“Don’t cry, Jessie,” Ed said.

“We still love you,” Ted said.

Their words meant so much to her. She tried to smile but Jacobi’s insult echoed in her head, along with Mido’s attack in her defense. She wiped her eyes but more tears replaced them.

“Stay strong, Jessie,” Mido said in a forced whisper. “I love you.”

Chest tingling with emotion, Jessie leaned in Mido’s direction. The techies let her go. She hopped over Jacobi, who was still out cold, and kneeled at Mido’s side. Sauna ran up to them and set the orange emergency aid kit next to Cancer. The doctor popped it open and began searching its contents. Jessie took Mido’s face in both hands and kissed him on the lips, then caressed his cheek. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “Thank you.” More tears streaked down her face but they were more out of empathy for the amount of pain Mido was in. She got back to her feet to give Cancer space, retreating to Ed’s and Ted’s arms.

“We’ll keep her safe for you, Mido,” Ed said.

“Thanks, guys.”

“Hold still,” Cancer said around a capped needle in his mouth. He sterilized the bruising and swelling over Mido’s ribs. “This is gonna really smart for a few seconds, and then things will feel a lot better, but don’t get up. You’ve got at least four fractured ribs. Brace yourself.”

Mido sucked in a shallow breath and held it, groaned and pulled all his limbs towards his torso when Cancer stuck him with the needle, then slowly relaxed as the pain killer began to take effect. Jessie exhaled with him and relaxed as well.