Note to readers: Please READ the FIRST CHAPTER AGAIN IF you have READ this story BEFORE 10-5-05. I've done major changes—deleted scenes, added scenes, and change in personality for the characters. Thanks to all reviewers and for your patience concerning this chapter update. I couldn't format this the way I wanted it. But I think I'm finally starting to get into this.
What's on My Mind
Captain James Hawkins…that's his name right? It was hard for Trissa to take her eyes off of him. He had those beautiful bluish grey eyes that reflected a rebellious bad-boy she knew was camouflaged in the formality of his "honest Captain" getup. His charcoal clothing only added to his appealing darkness, and Trissa was thoroughly mesmerized by his strong angular features, his sexy hair cut that was definitely original, and the gold earring that somehow unexplainably made him that much more attractive. Mmmm, looks like I'm going to be enjoying this trip after all. I could stare at this guy all day.
"And this is my girlfriend Trissa," came Israel's proud voice; the sound of her name shaking her violently from her abstract perception. She blinked a few times and realized that the Captain was now looking at her. A compulsory flirtatious smile came to her painted pink lips as she bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement of him.
"A pleasure to meet you Captain," she said politely, looking back into his eyes and seeing a small smile on his lips as he reciprocated her actions.
"Of course, welcome aboard my ship Ms…."
"Befuni," she continued extending her hand, and he loyally took it gingerly into his own. His palm was calloused from work, and the maiden could feel the heat of his lips as they hovered just above her knuckles. A blush quickly came to her cheeks. He's so FINE! Ludiwick loudly cleared his throat—obviously noticing the heat of the exchange, and Trissa blushed a brighter red from embarrassment. She mentally scolded herself for revealing her feelings so publicly that even Ludiwick—who was so lost in his own world he barely caught any underlying meanings—knew what was going on.
Hawkins immediately released her appendage with a light chuckle. "Don't worry Dr. Zenka, I'll put your mind at ease from now. I won't be attempting to steal your woman, so you have no need to worry."
Wish you would… came Trissa's thoughts, as her attention turned to her 'boyfriend' to see what his reaction to the proclamation would be. Israel did not look one bit convinced—if anything he looked extremely angry.
When Israel was angry he did not yell or shout or demand fights as normal men would be expected to do when confronted with disturbing situations. Instead his bright sea blue-eyes turned to a haunting green, and his voice to a deadly calm that seemed more intimidating then any bellow of anger. The look had never been directed at Trissa because she was "perfect" to him. Seeing that very expression plastered on his face now she was glad she had never been on the receiving end of it.
Israel bowed, almost mockingly at Captain Hawkins as he replied, "I'm glad to hear that sir. But if you're done flirting, we have much business to attend to." A frown came to Jame's face at this statement and his eyes iced over to a dark grey. He had almost the same expression as Zenka plastered on his face—cold, distant and deadly. They look so much alike...at this moment.
"Of course," James uttered in monotone, "Did you bring the map Doctor?"
"Yes," replied Israel taking out the folded piece of paper from the pocket of his large tan trench coat. Come to think of it, they both sorta dress the same. Well as far as coats go anyway. Jim's fingers calmly took the paper from Zenka's hand and stuffed it in his own pocket, not even bothering to look at it. "It's updated with all we know about the galaxy so far. The amount of planets, the compositions of each, suspected species that live there, etcetera…but they're only guesses from what the probes were able to pick up. Nothing is certain. Keep that in mind Captain, our lives will be in your hands."
"Well," said Jim abruptly, "now that you've finally arrived and made us wait for more than a year we can finally lift off. Don't try to make us even later with your trivial deluded warnings." He swiftly walked pass the three saying coldly, "I'll send my cabin girl Skippy to show you to your rooms." Zenka watched the retreating dark clad being walk away from him in a measure of shock, and respect. So he's not as stupid as he seems…have to say, I'm slightly intrigued. But he's still a womanizing brute.
Trissa was staring after James too, with a slight frown on her perfectly manicured eyebrows. Great Israel, thanks. The guy will probably never talk to me again. Why do you have to be such an arrogant jerk! But, that was probably your intention from the beginning, wasn't it? You've too phiscin possessive.
---------------------------------------------------
What was that moment…he was so close…too close. Miranda hugged herself, not liking the thought of what had happened just moments ago above on the deck. She wanted to talk to Sidney, needed to vent her fears to someone, but her best friend was too busy trifling with the first mate and thoroughly unnerving him to notice. That angered the dark skinned girl slightly, but she kept a passive countenance.
"Well…um…this here is the galley ladies," said Regal conscientiously, as Sidney practically leaped over him to get inside.
"Well, it's roomy enough," murmured the Roginen as her eyes combed the room, and then satisfied she yelled, "hey Maya, come check it out." Miranda meandered around the burly Kinopticon, briefly observing that he did indeed have a body of sculpted lead, and stepped inside to take in a sparsely lit cubicle—each wall laden with wooden counters and cupboards above and below the surface. In the middle of the chamber was a square table fastened to the floor with many draws for storage set at its sides. A small bulb in the center of the ceiling was their light source. Mira said nothing. It was fine for the purpose.
"Supplies are in the cupboards and utensils are in the draws of the table," explained Mr. Smede back to his rough and tough self now that Sidney was no longer giving him exclusive attention. "Tapping the bulb makes the light brighter so don't fret on the dimness. Your rooms are down the hall to your right. The ship should be launching in a half an hour, as soon as our financiers arrive. I'll be taking my leave now, but if there's anything special you need, I'll be around the ship somewhere."
"Thank you sir," said Miranda politely as Regal nodded and left.
"Bye Rege!" shrilled Sidney and Miranda lifted a questioning eyebrow.
"Rege?" Sidney smirked.
"Just seeing how long it will be till he stands up to me. Guy has no experience with flirting whatsoever. I decided to take it upon myself to teach him to have some backbone around women."
"By scaring him?"
"Whatever works."
"So….you don't really like him?"
"He's cute, but I'm just foolin around. He's not my prince charming if you know what I mean." Miranda shrugged off her knapsack that fell heavily to the floor and sat upon the center table. Sidney took off her own, it being really heavy, and looked back at her friend as she dropped it to the floor. The indigo eyed mistress's eyes had taken on a very distant and despondent look.
"Okay, what's the matter?"
"…"
"…Mira?"
"Not every prince is 'charming' Sidney," said Miranda softly, "if that were true you would be going on this adventure without me…I would have been married in Kayugra." A silence enveloped the two as the words floated around each other's minds. The room was tainted with the heaviness of remorseful memories, and Sidney couldn't stand the depressing atmosphere. We've all had enough sadness in our lives…why do we need to dwell on it to keep ourselves unhappy? Be happy when you can Miranda.
"Well, I probably wouldn't be here on this ship period because technically you're the one that dragged me here," said Sidney finally breaking the silence, "so if you married a prince, I sure as perp juice wouldn't be here having an adventure without you. You have nothing to worry about!" Miranda's eyes snapped towards her own irritably, and the green skinned alien tried her hardest to keep a straight face. "Speaking of perp juice," said Sid in fake speculation, "I wonder if they have some around?"
"Do you have to be so giddily stupid every breath you take in your life?" Sidney began busily shuffling through draws.
"Yep, especially when the mood gets this somber." Ooooohhh…, she thought excitedly, a knife! That might be handy someday... She picked up the small sharp object and stuffed it into her pants waist.
"I really don't know how we became friends…"
"Yeah, me neither. I mean, unlike you I plan to get married," as she shuffled through other draws finding loads of forks and knives made of sturdy metal. Whoa, high-class utensils right here.
"You know why…I find that an impossibility."
"Uh sure, but I think that's just an excuse," said Sidney as she opened a cupboard. "Woah, lots of wooden mugs to drink from! That confirms perp juice occupation!"
"Sidney! Are you even listening to me?" asked Mira hoping down from the center table and grabbing her amphibian like friend by the shoulder.
"My name's Lorel deary," said Sidney her eyes shining mischievously, " you don't want us to get caught do you?"
"Uugh," said the companion, throwing up her hands in the air in defeat, "you're impossible!" She stormed over to her haversack lying innocently on the floor and grabbed it moodily by the handle, deciding to drag the compartment on the floor instead of breaking her back once more supporting it. "I'm going to check out our rooms."
"Be right there Maya dear. See, I didn't forget!" The bronze mistress ignored the comment, dragging the bag as it bumped and clattered against the walls and unnoticeable grooves in the floorboards. Stupid Roginen making me carry this stupid bag. Sometimes I hate her.
---------------------------------------------------
Jim stormed into his cabin, infuriated by the head scientist's presumptuousness. The guy thought he was more intelligent than everyone else just because of his title. Jim was no idiot. He took all advanced placement classes, and was top of his grade at the Academy. The educational training was a requirement extended to all captains so that in various situations they would be adept enough to handle the outcome. It was here that Jim met a beautiful equally ambitious woman who would later become his wife.
"That's right you schmuck," he murmured bitterly, "I'm already in love with somebody. What makes you think I want your stupid girlfriend? Do you really think you have the best of everything in the world? You snobby rich bastard you….argh" He clenched and unclenched his fists trying to regain control of his temper. Whenever he was sure that he'd composed himself, he'd think back to the Israel Zenka's face and the burning feeling of anger in his chest would start all over again pumping adrenaline into his veins that made him buzz with the need to assault something.
He violently kicked a chair, channeling all his frustration into it. The sound seemed loud in the cabin with him alone in it, but that satisfied him. Better that than his face.
"I mean, she's not even truly pretty with her fake beauty," he kicked the wood again, "with all that makeup she drowns her face in, I wonder how she even breathes?" He kicked the chair anew with such force it flew to the wall, "And you except every man to want her just because she's yours?"
He pulled out the map from his pocket, trembling with the urge to crumble the paper to bits, but he knew it was necessary for the journey. "Well…you got one thing right. I am responsible for everyone's life, but do you have to phiscin rub it in my face?" Jim slammed the paper on his desk, "You know how many times I've heard that? I already know I'm phiscin responsible!" Nobody knew how painful and unfair the feeling of incompetence was, what it was like to fail with no opportunity of a second chance. To harbor so much guilt, every night when you close your eyes the very souls who you failed danced in front of your eyes screaming for an answer. So guilty, so burdened, so remorseful about your past that your dreams become, not a comforting escape, but a trip to a fireless hell. He picked up the chair, dragging it back to his desk lethargically, the original anger instantaneously melting away to sadness. He sat down heavily upon his chair, removing his gloves for the second time that day as he stared at the symbol that was given to him representing eternal love; the gold band placed on his left hand on his ring finger. His eyes were unable to move from the band for some time, his mind blank, nothing but the gold band in his mind and physical vision. After what seemed like hours he looked away and then back at the map on his desk. Good a time as any to look at this map thing.
Jim idly lifted the folds of the thick white paper with the gold boarder. Upon unfolding the map the supposed planets of the Coral Galaxy swirled around him, but Jim wasn't really paying attention. I'm sorry Catherine…I should have been there for you…
Lale: I don't like writing about...moments too intimate if you know what I mean, which is why this fic is not rated M, because it will never turn into that. But, if you feel the themes in this are a little too mature, please let me know and I'll up the rating immediately. (Edited 12-5-2005)