The Baudelaires (Unedited)

chapter twenty two

I woke up but not so much with a jolt, I was lying on top of Klaus.
Klaus was snoring lightly, he was asleep.
It was nighttime, I could see nothing but plain fields in sight, but other than that, it looked as if it was getting colder; like we were heading up the coldest coast, or following a familiar river that froze during false spring.
I knew where we were headed, in a way. I had an idea of where we were going.
Everybody but me and Frank and maybe Klaus was awake. It was too quiet.
Frank had the privacy window closed so it was even more quiet, so I was left with my thoughts.
Klaus fluttered his eyes, he woke up, I got off of him, us both looking slightly more awake.
Klaus smiled at me and whispered, "hello, Snicket."
I laughed quietly and whispered back, "hello Baudelaire. Nice sleep?"
"Very, I had a good dream."
"About what?"
"That's private." He laughed.
"Klaus." I prompted him to tell me.
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"No, Charlotte." He laughed a little more.
"Fine, I give up."
"I thought you were persistent."
"Obviously not when you're like that."
He grinned, "I'm an exception then."
I nodded, "yes, Klaus, you are."
"Do you know where we're going?"
"Kind of, but I might be wrong."
"Please tell me."
"I think we might be going toward the grotto, you know, toward the docks."
"Fiona might be there, but I don't want to see her."
"Why's that?"
"She kissed me."
"Is that bad?"
"I don't like her."
"Am I supposed to be jealous?"
"You're not?"
"I understand."
"Understand what?"
"Why you don't like her but not he reason you may think."
"What's the reason?" He seemed curious.
"She acted without permission."
"Valid reason, I thought there would be more due to the obvious relationship me and you have."
"Do you want there to be?"
"Not unless you do."
I laughed, "Klaus, you seriously think I'm jealous?"
"In a way, yes."
"Honestly, I envy her for the bravery to do that, I couldn't."
"And why's that?"
"Because I'm generally afraid of what your reaction would be."
"Try me."
"You cannot be serious."
"Charlotte, seriously, try me."
I looked up at him, "why?"
"You wanted to see how I'd react."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"Frank could see."
"No, he couldn't. He's concentrating on the road."
I sighed and kissed him on the lips, right then and there.
He kissed back and I pulled away, maybe too soon, but I felt confused maybe even annoyed at myself because I succumbed to my own fear.
I looked at the ground, neither.of.us saying a word, he put his head on mine again, making my head topple on to his shoulder.
"I liked it." He admitted.
I didn't reply, I felt guilty and I didn't know why. I felt humiliated in a way, but I didn't know why.
"Are you alright, Charlotte?"
"Yes, Klaus, I'm fine." I mumbled.
He lifted my face up and examined, "you're red."
"I don't feel right."
"What do you mean?"
"Like I've done something that I shouldn't."
"You've done nothing wrong."
"Sure."
"You're not going to agree with me are you?" He smiled.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I am a stubborn mess."
"No, you're Charlotte still."
"Stubborn mess is my middle name."
"You said your middle name was Frankie."
"It makes more sense if my name was Charlotte Stubborn Mess Snicket wouldn't it?"
"No. You're not stubborn, well slightly, and you're certainly not a mess." He smiled.
I went silent.
"Did I win?"
"Yes, Klaus."
"What's my prize?"
"Going in a submarine." I slid open the privacy window.
"What is it?" Frank asked.
"Where are we going?"
"To tell Ms Fiona that we've got the sugar bowl and all the tapes."
"So we're going underwater?"
"Indeed." He slid the window shut again, "ten minutes."
I looked at Klaus and sighed, "I hate water."
"I'm here, I'm coming with you."
"Makes it more bearable."
He laughed, "it's not that bad."
"You sure?" I looked up at him.
"Yes, quite sure that being underwater or even near water isn't as scary as maybe...sawing a man's leg off."
"True. You win again."
"What's the prize?"
"I have zero ideas."
"So it's just a free win?"
"Yes."
He laughed.

We all got out the car, Sunny, Violet, Beatrice and Quigley tired out while me and Kali's were wide awake. Frank a bit of both.
I grabbed my small bag and walked hand in hand with Klaus, he was looking where I was looking.
The small pothole of a submarine, open and waiting.
"She must've gotten my message." Frank smiled and walked over, climbing in.
Me and Klaus reluctantly follower, him rather me, as the others except Violet followed with ease.
She whispered something in Klaus's ear and he let go of my hand, staring at her a tad annoyed.
We got inside the submarine, it was spacious.
"This has changed." Violet sighed.
"Indeed it has." Klaus agreed, walking closer to me.
I eventually caught sight of Fiona, wearing a sailor outfit, she was at the top of the stairs out of what looked to.eb the captain's quarters, "hello all you familiar faces!" She smiled and walked down the stairs.
Klaus then grabbed my hand, out of Violet's view, I think she assumed we were dating.
"Ah, Fiona, you got the message." Frank smiled.
"Well, Hookey did, he passed it on to me." Fiona replied, a-matter-of-factly.
I sighed.
"Wait, who?" Frank questioned.
"Hookey!" She shouted.
A man with hooks for hands and a scar across his eye walked out from behind the stairs.
Klaus stiffened and Violet and Sunny backed off.
"What's wrong?" I whispered.
"That's one of Count Olaf's henchmen." Klaus informed loudly.
"No, Klaus, he's a friend." Fiona replied.
I really didn't like her.
Fiona then looked at me, then down at mine and Klaus's interlocked hands, "Hello Charlotte, I see you've made a friend."
"Yes, I have Fiona. Long time no see."
Klaus looked at us both.
"I haven't been wanting to see you for a reason, Charlotte. You know that."
"Looks as if there's more than one reason now, hm?" I sighed.
"Stop." Klaus whispered.
Fiona glared at me, calmed herself down and continued talking, "do you have the sugar bowl and films with you?"
"Indeed, Charlotte?" Frank answered.
I got out my bag, but hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Frank questioned.
"Can we trust her?" I asked.
He nodded once, I couldn't question it.