Finally Found

Heya Everyone, it’s the last few days of March, a precious few days left until Camp Nano Starts and things get WAY busier in my life... and I still haven’t picked a project to dedicate my time and energy too. I probably should finish some of my half done projects, or prewrite a whole bunch of blog posts... I don’t think either is going to happen though...

But while I keep pondering what I’m going to work on in a few days, here’s this week's prompt, enjoy! :)

Prompt: They say the ancient dragons died long ago, wiped off the face of the earth by the first lords for the safety of all. No one ever told you what danger they truly posed. Now you stand before one, eyes have met, yet it does not lift a claw to harm you…

You loved adventure, listening to bards sing tales of those that dared to do way more than the people who occupied your village. Farmers and Shepherds, working hard to keep the castle on the hill fed, paying taxes to keep yourselves safe. You couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the parties of knights and squires that stopped by the tavern where you worked, returning from a mission for the King, or just about to set off on one.

You’d resigned yourself to never having a tale like that to tell for yourself, forcing yourself to be content with the stories that were pulled from all too willing lips almost as quickly as ale passed them, keeping their mugs filled as long as there were coins in their purses and stories to be told. The owners of the tavern cared little for what you did, as long as you kept mugs full, plates on tables and making the tavern coins.

Instead you listened, night in and night out, giving your dreams fuel for when you finally were able to collapse in bed before work started again the next day. In your dreams you rode out, a party of knights and squires at your beck and call. You knew from the stories that the ancient dragons had died long ago, killed for the protection of those that now resided in this lands, farming its valleys and huddling in its mountains. But that didn’t stop you from dreaming about how you stumbled upon some of the last dragons, a sword in your hand as you defended your race from the monsters of legend.

None of your dreams could have ever prepared you for what awaited out the back of the tavern. Roars of drunken laughter from inside as yet another tale drew to a close, men ordering more ale as you raced outside to search for the eggs the cook needed to whip up a feast for the apparently starving men. It made little sense to you, considering the amount they had eaten as the night kept going, but the coins that jingled around their waist after a successful trip meant you catered to their every whim, regardless of how much sense it made.

The sun's gentle light over the hilltops as it rose illuminated a strange hulking creature covering the top of the barn. Talons as long as your forearm wrapped gingerly around the edges of the roof, wings larger than the barn and tavern spread out down the walls and across the ground surrounding. The barn creaked as it shifted its body weight slightly, it’s fire red eyes locked on yours, head titled to the side as it watched you, breath coming out as puffs of steam.

You considered screaming, hoping that someone inside would hear you and come to your rescue, it’s what happened in all the stories, dashing knights coming to the aid of someone who couldn’t help themselves, but something stops you. Perhaps the longing for adventure, perhaps the fact that the ancient dragon has done little more than simply watch you, or perhaps even that terror had you so tightly bound in its grasp that you struggled for air, let alone scream for help.

Regardless of your plan, the great creature had it’s own.

‘I’ve finally found you, Rider, but our time is not now. I shall return for you, one day.’ The words wash over you, a deep gravelly voice in your mind as its breath hugged you. Any response fell from your mind as you watched wings rise, a powerful flap lifting its body into the sky, hovering for a mere second, before chasing the darkness of night.

The Human Study.

Heya Everyone,

I've had this story sitting in my to-do list for ages, one of my friends demanding that I take this prompt and make something of it, and I finally managed to do that today. Hope you enjoy it. :)

Prompt: You gotta put your heart into it! No. No, not literally– not your actual– no. How did you even manage to get that? Is it even yours. Put that. Away. Back. Put it back.

Being from a different planet was difficult at best, trying to blend in with the human race was even worse. Technology on your planet meant that you could change your appearance at will, allowing you to look exactly like those you were here to study, as well as giving you the option of changing how you looked in order to gather a full range of data to analyse.

It was strange, how the colour of your skin and place you came from changed how you were treated, something unheard of on your planet and certainly an interesting thesis topic, but it was not the one you choose, it would be far too obvious, and no doubt already a study being undertaken by someone like you. An ‘alien’ as the humans would say.

No, instead you choose one skin to be your own, enrolling in a university and finding yourself a human job. You wanted to fully immerse yourself in humanity if you were to find the perfect topic for your thesis and to finally reach your dream of being an expert on humans and the planet they called home.

It was only natural then, that you decided to study two bachelors, human studies and geology. The workload was nothing compared to what you had already had completed back on your planet, but you pretended to struggle as your human flatmates did, learning from their lives as you pretended to live yours.

It was the language that got to you the most, you’d spent ages getting to grips with the most common and well-known languages on planet earth, learning from those that had already lived amongst the humans. None of that prepared you for how much the language had evolved since then.

You had been in one of your mandatory classes, facing a naked human posed on a pedestal whilst you grasped a flimsy piece of wood between your fingers and tapped the hairy end of it in a various group of colours. A mentor stalking around the room to judge and correct, that was when they reached you. Perfectly recreating what was in front of you, blending colours with a flick of your wrist. This was as easy as it had been in your childhood, perhaps even easier.

“No, No, No, This is all wrong.” The teacher's voice cut through taking you by surprise, your eyes darting between the canvas and the man standing before you as if mere glances could find what she had.

“You gotta put your heart into it!” Your eyes turned to him, glancing back to the canvas before reaching a hand towards your torso. Your kind could still live with their hearts outside of their body, so it made sense that the humans could be much the same.

You realised your mistake when everyone’s jaws dropped, eyes zoomed in on your heart as you pulled it free of the cage your body had grown for it.

“No. No, not literally– not your actual– no. How did you even manage to get that?” Your teacher reached as though to touch your heart, watching each small beat as you kept breathing, unsure what to do now everyone had seen what you had done.

“Is it even yours?” A nod from your head had everyone turning even paler, a few classmates dropping to the floor as the struggled to process what their eyes had seen. “Put that. Away. Back. Put it back.” You did as instructed, wincing as your body healed over the hole you had forced it to make when removing you heart.

You had no idea what to do now, none of your training had covered such a strange situation arising, but lucky your teacher seemed to have everything well in hand.

“This is clearly just some weird dream, or a byproduct of those new meds the doctor has me on.” Came the mutter from under his breath, and your ears picked up something similar from everyone else as they knelt to help their friends.

Normally humanity’s ability to simply ignore that which it could not understand would annoy you to no end, but today, today that ability to make the illogical rationale seemed to have saved your cover, and for that, you would be eternally grateful... and perhaps that would make a great thesis paper.

The Hellborn Princess

Heya Everyone.

This week, in preparation for Camp NaNoWriMo, I thought I'd share with you, my project from 2015. It's the start of a novel called The Hellborn Princess it's fairly interesting because in order to keep myself writing and interested in the month long challenge was to make more and more horrible things happen to my characters. Rereading back over it now I both love it and hate it. Both because it's fast paced and action packed. It's a hard thing to continue now, but regardless I hope you like it!

Chapter One:

Pink water lapped at the shoreline, washing over bare feet as a young woman stood in the shallow waves. Her long auburn hair flicked out behind her with the strong breeze that forced her hands back down to hold the only item of clothing that covered her tall and lithe frame. Her deep blue eyes reflecting the sunrise as she gazed over the horizon. Searching for something that wasn’t there, only a vast expanse of ocean dancing in the pale light.

“Anything?” A deep voice had her turning her head, glancing to the muscular man that walked up and stopped behind her, his feet just out of the water’s reach, keeping the only clothes he wore, his ripped jeans dry. His emerald green eyes ignored the sunrise, focussed entirely on her instead. A hand running through his raven black hair as she turned to him with tear-filled eyes.

“Nothing. It’s been weeks Alex.” He stepped closer, wrapping his arms around her and tugging her into his heavily scarred and bare chest. She paid no mind to the scars as he slid his hand in her curls. She rested her head on his broad shoulders.

“It’s been a week Roza, and the ship had to undergo massive repairs. The crew knew where we were going, they’ll find us. You just have to be patient.” He sighed, resting his head on top of hers. He could hear the tension in her voice, and it reflected what he felt inside. They were both doing everything they could to hold onto hope that they would be rescued.

“I can’t.” She whined, “The ocean is calling to me! I can’t not be on it.”

“And that’s why we’re in this mess in the first place.” He pulled away from her, storming back towards the small base they’d made out of what they had scavenged from the shipwrecked yacht.

“It was your suggestion!” She called, following him up the beach, pausing by the dwindling fire to dump more wood on the blaze, bringing it roaring back to life. They would have little need for it once the sun rose higher.

“I’m sorry. I thought you’d check the weather Captain!" He snapped, spinning on his heels to face her. His features softening for a second as the fire illuminated the harsh purple bruises along her

legs. He hated seeing her in pain, always had and always would, especially when faced with the guilt that her pain rested on her shoulders.

“What’s your excuse? You’re the first mate!” She responded, ducking her head beneath her curls so that he wouldn’t be able to see the sting of his words. He was right, she was captain, it was her job, her fault.

“I was trying to make you happy! Forgive me if that’s so wrong!” Alex sighed, sitting down and hanging his head. “You weren’t happy watching the repairs for Hellborn take so long, you felt trapped like you always do when we aren’t on the open ocean. I thought a small trip would be good and now,” he sighed once more, “we’re more landlocked than ever and it’s killing both of us.” He lifted his head and looked at her as she sat beside him, her hand resting on his leg and head on his shoulder.

“I am happy with you.” She spoke softly, turning her head slightly to kiss his bicep.

“No, you’re not.” He pulled his arm out of her grasp, “the only place you’re truly happy is out there, and I’ve always known that. I never tried to stand in the way of that.” He stood, glancing towards the shoreline. “It runs in your blood, and it flows through mine. I understand the itch that accompanies being stuck on land better than most. This isn’t easy on either of us.” He turned and knelt before her, grasping her hands in his. “But you must have faith they’ll come and find us.”

“I have faith in you Alex.” She moved one of her hands to cup his cheek. “And in our crew.” She leant forward to kiss him, savouring the taste of his lips before she pulled back. “But I have no faith in myself to survive this much longer. The ocean’s call is too strong, and I am weak to resist it.” Alex chuckled, leaning forward to kiss her once more.

“Then perhaps I’ll just have to distract you.” He whispered across her lips, a hand slipping down to his shirt where it was still wrapped around her torso, fisting his hands in the white button down shirt by her waist.

“Haven’t you done that enough.” She teased, stilling his hands before he could tear the fabric from her body.

“Not nearly enough.” He whispered with a smirk, flattening his hand regardless. “But you’re right. These are all the clothes we have left, and you look so good in my shirt.” He trailed his lips down her neck, nuzzling the collar out of his way. Roza smiled, tangling a hand in his hair, her eyes on the horizon.

“Alex.” She gasped, tugging his head back as she spotted something on the horizon. He groaned and pulled away from her.

“When are we ever going to get time like this alone again?” He muttered, turning to follow her gaze regardless.

“We’re not alone amante.” She whispered, pointing at the huge ship that appeared on the horizon. The three masts laden with rectangular sails that silhouetted against the still-rising sun. Hull they both knew would be navy blue cutting through the ocean as they navigated towards them.

“They have horrible timing,” Alex complained with a smile, sitting beside her and wrapping an arm over her shoulder. Roza laughed, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Please, we both know you’re just as anxious to be out there as I am.” She turned into his side, kissing his jaw.

“I am.” He turned to steal another kiss, before watching as their ship got steadily closer. Able to make out the gold designs that danced along her gleaming in the sunlight. The name displayed proudly in cursive along her bow, 'The Hellborn Princess'.

The anchor was dropped just off the shore, the ship a buzz of well trained and hard working crewmen, as they dropped the sails and set a rowboat in the water.

“Let's go home.” Alex stood, offering her a hand up. She accepted, pulling her hand back before the rescue crew reached the shore. Hands tugging his shirt down, trying to cover more of her legs.

A woman was the first off the rowboat, knuckles strained white around a black bag as she approached the pair, greying brunette hair falling into the hazel eyes that betrayed her worry for her two young commanding officers.

“Rachelle.” Roza took a step towards the only other female on her crew.

“Doc.” Alex nodded at her, folding his arms over his bare chest, muscles bulging against his fingertips.

“How are you both feeling?” Rachelle focused on the cuts, scrapes and bruises that were scattered over their bodies. A quick and silent check that they were both okay, trying to determine the worst of their injuries, knowing better than to think either of them would tell her the full extent of the damage as long as there were others around.

“Fine Rach, we’ve been swimming in the ocean daily to keep everything disinfected. We managed to salvage some of the water from the shipwreck.” Roza answered, motioning towards half empty cans further up the beach. Two of the crew made their way up the shore to gather the abandoned stuff and put out the fire.

“And between us we knew enough about hunting, fishing and scavenging to have gathered enough food to last. I built a shelter to keep us warm overnight, it’s up in the forest.” Alex shrugged, focussing his attention at Roza as she shifted her weight uncomfortably. She glanced back at Alex, her eyes falling to his bare chest before she pulled her gaze away.

“Wayne. What’s the status of my ship?” She demanded, looking to the fourth and final man. He raised himself from the rowboat, running a hand through his short black hair much like Alex did when he was stressed, revealing the grey streaks that were normally hidden. His sea blue eyes looking anywhere but his Captain and her First Mate.

“Let’s get you both back to the ship. James has made a full meal, and Rachelle probably has more tests to run.” Alex stepped closer at their Bosun’s words, his arm brushing Roza’s shoulder blades. They all knew each other well enough to know that their Bosun’s deflection of the question meant nothing good.

“What’s the status of our ship?” He growled, narrowing his eyes at the man in charge of the equipment and crew that kept the ship running. His posture mimicked that of Roza’s, silently letting him know that neither would move an inch until he answered the question.

“We had to take a few shortcuts to get here as soon as we did. The crew’s still working around the clock to finish the repairs before we pick up the student’s next week.” His hands tugged at his hair before he dropped them to his lap. It wasn’t the news either of them wanted to hear, having their ship out here was dangerous.

“Will she be ready?” Roza asked, leaning back on Alex, both physically and emotionally.

“It’s not looking too good Captain, but we’ll do our best. As long as we avoid any sort of rain or heavy weather for the next week she should be fine.”

“And if we don’t? This little Isle is knowing for her chaotic weather and spur of the moment storms. It’s why Roza and I were stuck here.” Alex wrapped an arm around Roza’s waist as she turned and attempted to bury her face in his chest. Everything was just too much for them right now.

“If we don’t... We’ll see how well that new bilge system you invested in works.” Wayne shrugged nervously. “The topsides haven’t been fully sealed yet, and there are parts of the deck that are still totally open to the elements.” He continued speaking softly,

“It was a choice we had to make, no one else would brave the sea’s wrath to come and find you. Not the navy, not the so-called coastguard, no one. They're all too scared of storm season.” Rachelle tried to explain their decision to leave before the hull repairs and refurbishment was completed.

“We would have been fine.” Alex argued, “You should have finished the repairs first.”

“Well, we didn’t know that! All we knew was you had made a mayday call that you were sinking and then nothing! It’s been ten days with no word from either of you! We were worried.” Rachelle snapped at both of them, watching Alex take a step back from her and hold Roza tighter to his chest. A hand cradling her head as if to protect her from them.

“Can we...” Rozas' voice trailed off, muffled by Alex's muscular bare chest. “I want a shower, and I want to see the state of my ship for myself. Have the men make sail for the nearest port once we are done here. Leave the wreckage, perhaps it shall serve as a warning and safe haven by the next victims of this treacherous isle. If Alex and I could not navigate her storms safely I fear for anyone else foolish enough to try.” Roza turned in Alex's hold to speak directly to her Bosun.

“Aye Captain!” Wayne and his two crew members saluted, talking amongst themselves to figure out the best way to salvage parts desperately needed for ‘The Hellborn Princess’

“Rachelle, you take Roza back to the ship. There are a couple of things I need to get then I’ll join you.” Alex ordered, dropping a kiss to the top of her head when he was sure no one was watching. “Whatever it is that is bothering you, deal with it quickly. The crew will sense something is wrong with you.” He whispered his lips beside her ear.

“I am fine Alex.”

“and I am the King of France.” He countered quickly, raising an eyebrow at her. Roza sighed, leaning into him for a second longer before turning and tugging on her Doctor’s sleeve, motioning for the elder woman to follow after her.

"Captain?" The doctor asked, glancing behind them as Roza lead her down the beach and away from the boys.

"I need your promise that you won't breathe a word of this to anyone," Roza whispered, not trusting that their voices wouldn't carry down to the boys.

"Patient-Doctor confidentiality agreement as always. What is it Roza?" Rachelle replied, watching her normally strong and confident commander falter, hands wringing nervously, as she tried to figure out what to say.

"I need you to get me a pregnancy test at the next port." She eventually sighed, mimicking Alex and running a hand through her auburn curls.

"Roza?" Rachelle watched closely as her eyes flickered to Alex.

"I thought this was why you made the no fraternisation rule." Rachelle couldn't help but scold, the twenty-one-year-old Captain was like a daughter to her, and far too young to be expecting a child.

"I made that rule so the students and crew wouldn't..." Roza started to defend herself angrily before trailing off with a sigh.

"How long?" Rachelle softened her voice, resting a hand on her shoulder.

"We've been together nearly four years now. Secretly of course." Roza glanced towards Alex, turning away when he caught her staring at him.

"Does he know? About you possibly carrying his child." Rachelle asked, watching the interaction between the pair, wondering how she'd never caught on before. They weren't exactly subtle.

"No, I'm only a week late. I only realised because he pointed it out. I reminded him it happens occasionally, but this just feels different." Roza explained, sneaking another glance at her lover.

"He knows your cycle?" Rachelle was shocked, no man she'd ever been with had caught onto hers, and they'd always be annoyed when it seemed to happen at 'random' times.

"He's really observant." Roza shrugged, looking up as Alex started jogging their way.

"Ready to go Captain?" He asked, sliding to a stop and spraying sand all up Roza's legs. Roza's eyes narrowed at him, but it didn't stop the twitch of her lips upwards.

"Yeah, we are." She rolled her eyes, bending down to wipe the sand off her bruised legs, wincing when she applied just a fraction too much pressure to her injuries.

"Capitaine-" Alex reached for her, as she started to tip forwards. Rachelle looked to him quickly, catching a wince on his features before he hid it.

"I'm fine Alex." Roza waved off his help, standing straighter concentrating on not swaying again. It was momentary dizziness, it would pass, and she would be fine.

"Sure." Alex wrapped an arm around her waist, tugging her into his chest, frowning down at her at the lack of resistance she put up. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut, face screwed up in a grimace. "Roza?" His grip around her loosened as she shoved him back, barely having enough time to turn before vomiting.

"Alright, back to the ship." He hooked an arm around her waist as she stood, lifting her into a bridal hold easily. Roza didn't complain like she normally would have, wrapping her arms around his neck and curling her head in against his neck and shoulder.

"You're not much warmer than normal, so we'll get you back to the ship, warm you up a bit. Get some real food in you. You'll be right as rain in no time." He whispered to her, glancing at Rachelle and motioning with his head towards the small rowboat.

"Yes sir." She walked ahead of the pair, reflecting on what Roza had said and what she'd seen between the couple. Still trying to figure out how she could have missed what was staring her right in the face, them all right in their faces.

"Sir? Is everything alright?" One of the crew members asked cautiously upon noticing their approach.

"Everything's fine. Something just didn't agree with our beloved Captain that's all." Alex smiled with a glance down to the young woman in his arms. "We'll head back to the ship if you're ready." His words were directed at Wayne catching the man's attention, as his eyes flicking to the pile of stuff beside the small row boat.

"Not quite, but go right ahead. Send the boat back with another crew member. Alonzo's freaking out." Wayne answered distractedly, surveying their surroundings. He spared a glance to the first mate in time to see his eyebrow raise in response to his casual treatment of him.

"I mean if it's okay with you sir. I'd like to remain here for a while longer. There is more we can still salvage from the wreckage." Wayne corrected himself, eyes hardening in the young man's direction, softening as they fell to the woman in his arms.

"He's pulling your leg, Wayne. Go right ahead, get what you need." Alex grinned wickedly as Roza lifted her head to raise an eyebrow at her first mate, mimicking him perfectly.

"You ruin all my fun." He growled teasingly, shaking his head to try hide his laughter.

"And you harass all my crew. We're even." She replied, sticking her tongue out at him. His eyes glanced between the row boat and Hellborn, silently making calculations in his head before he made his decision.

"If you say so Capitaine." He bounced her gently in his hold, before walking towards the small row boat. Roza didn't notice when he missed it entirely, walking until the water reached halfway up his calf muscles before dropping her. Roza screamed her voice carrying across the water and drawing every eye on both the shore and the ship. Alex's laughter ringing out only moments later, a collective sigh of relief came as they all watched Roza surface. Wet hair looking black as it flopped over her face and dripped down the now see-through white shirt she was wearing.  

"Alex you arse!" She shrieked, shoving him backwards. Alex didn't stop laughing as he stumbled back a step before regaining his footing.

"You said I couldn't harass your crew." He teased, holding his hands up and sticking his tongue out at her, dancing back out of her reach as she made a grab for him.

"I never said that! I just said you always do." She crossed her arms with a huff, hiding a smirk behind her hair, walking backwards into deeper waters. He followed her, stepping closer, his head dropping so he could whisper in her ear, just as she expected him too. Water reaching halfway up his chest, and lapping over her shoulders.

"Well, I couldn't have you getting jealous now could I?" He teased, sliding an arm around her waist beneath the water so no one could see it. Roza took that moment to strike, wrapping a leg behind his knees and shoving hard on his chest. He let out a startled cry, falling backwards in the water.

Roza didn't wait to see him surface, turning and taking off, her powerful strokes taking her closer and closer to her ship. She could hear Alex following her, a low growl before the water splashed behind her. She knew it was only a matter of time before he caught up to her - he was stronger, his strokes more powerful than hers.

Still, the adrenaline pumped through her veins, her heart racing with the thrill of the chase. Hellborn growing closer as she forced her muscles to the extreme, trying to get to her ship before he could catch up with her. A squeal left her lips as his hand wrapped around her ankle and tugged her back to him. A smile taking it's place as she heard his laughter.

"Whatever shall I do with you now I've caught you beautiful." He whispered, treading water just in front of her. They both looked up in unison, hearing movement from above them.

"I nearly made it," Roza smirked, reaching out with one hand to brush her fingertips against the hull.

"Doc's gonna kill us," Alex whispered, swimming closer until her back was pressed against the recently cleaned hull.

"Nah she won't. Salt waters good for injuries, and she'll be glad to see us staying fit and taking care of ourselves." Roza rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed the top of her head.

"And as much fun as I've had. I'm exhausted. You ready for bed?" Roza nodded in reply, trying to hide her yawn beneath her hand.

"Captain! Sir! Look out!" A voice called before a ladder dropped down behind them, the ends of the ropes sinking in the water, weighted down by the metal rungs.

"Ladies first." Alex motioned towards the ladder with a flick of his head.

"Nuh ah, I'm literally wearing only a shirt, that has probably gone see-through. You go first and make sure there's a blanket or something to cover me with. I have no desire for my crew to see all of me like that." Roza pulled away from him, hanging back as he chuckled at her.

"Fair point." His eyes raked over the little of her frame that he could see through the water.  "I don't particularly want the rest of the crew to see you in just my see-through shirt." Roza splashed him when a smirk tugged up the corners of his lips.

"Get up that ladder First Mate." She ordered before he could retaliate.

"Aye Capitaine!" He saluted with a wink, swimming the short distance between himself and the ladder and starting to climb, making it look easy despite the sheer enormity of hauling his wet and tired body up the 28 meter high ship. Roza only waited until he was halfway up before starting to follow, shivering when the cool wind hit her body. Her muscles screaming in agony as she forced them to their limits, feet trying to slip out from beneath her on the slippery metal rungs.

"Capitaine!" Alex reached the top, clearing the deck of all crew to give her some privacy, returning quickly to peer over the side of the ship, watching as she struggled to finish climbing the ladder. Sheer exhaustion apparent on her face. Roza didn't respond, hooking her arm through a rung and pausing to catch her breath. She wasn't unfit, not by a long shot - but whatever had her sick, be it pregnancy or illness, she was growing weary.

"Few more steps Roza. Come on sweetheart..." He encouraged her, Roza smiled up at him, taking a deep breath before continuing to climb up the rope ladder. Swear words falling from her lips when a gust of wind blew both it and her away from the ship, twisting the rope above her, her back thudded heavily into the oak wood, winding her.

"Roza!" The ladder suddenly started moving upwards, and Roza could do little more but hold on for dear life as her crew hauled her upwards. She could hear Alex's reassuring voice directing them. His hands falling on her waist and lifting her over the railing, curling her against his chest as a blanket was draped over her back. Alex whispered a mix of curse words and reassurances in her ear as she started gasping for air through choked sobs.

"Sir?" Hands steadied Alex as he tipped forward slightly, watching him closely.

"We're fine boys, just haven't slept very much in the last week. We'll be good as new after a good rest." Alex's words slurred together. Unable to find the energy to lift his head from Roza's shoulder where it had slumped.

"Get them to the medical bay. Find a full change of clothes, and someone goes pick up Rachelle now." A strong Spanish accent started throwing out orders at the men standing around idly. The hands on Alex starting to turn him, more taking Roza from his grasp.

"Alonzo. Carry her." Alex gasped, looking up into the chief navigators hazel eyes, trusting the Spanish man with his childhood best friend. Alonzo stepped closer, his scrawny build blocking just enough of the harsh sunlight so that it didn't land in Alex's eyes as they followed the blonde haired man.

"I will Alex, let the boys help you." Alonzo rested a hand on Alex's shoulder, watching as the first mate leant heavily on the crew member holding onto him.

"'er first." Alex was too tired to mask his natural french accent like he and Roza normally did. His eyes drawn to her as she rested her head against a deckhands shoulder, hands white-knuckled as she gripped the blanket tighter around her and shivered.

"Alex." She whispered, her own Spanish accent bleeding through as she was hoisted into Alonzo's arms. He wasn't as strong as the deck crew, but he was strong enough to support her for the short trip to the medical bay.

"He's coming Captain. Get some rest." Roza nodded sleepily, curling herself in closer to her friend. Alex didn't allow his eyes to fall closed until Roza vanished from sight, Alonzo carrying her down to stairs and below decks. His weight collapsing against the deckhands that attempted to support him. All he had needed to be was strong for his captain. Now she was safe he could let the toll of the past week fall properly onto his shoulders.

"Hold tight sir." He heard a male voice whisper, before feeling his feet being dragged out from underneath him. His eyes too heavy to allow himself to fight, he surrendered.