Distant Shores 2: Waves Of Time

The Betrayal?

You were voted most gullible back in high school and you always felt it wasn't justified...Now you think there might be some truth to it since you were stupid enough to think Robert would actually have your back. After everything you shared with each other; I mean you hadn't been this vulnerable with anyone except Edward, and Robert kept himself closed up until you. You thought maybe he wanted to work on developing that cousin relationship, but that didn't work out. Guess you're just Boo Boo the Fool.

"Robert, I'm not going to ask you again. What the hell is your crew doing here?"

He lets out a menacing laugh.

"Coral, you are so naïve. Did you really think I hadn't heard about the curse before luring you to Atlantis?"

WHAT? THE? FUCK?

He continues.

"Of course I couldn't have done it alone."

You notice Samuel and Octavia have disembarked the ship and are now standing next to Robert. Octavia gives you a frosty look.

"I can't say I'm surprised to see you pregnant. You and Edward have been obsessed with each other since the day you appeared on the Revenge. This is why good captains don't have sex with their crew."

You choke on air, trying to hold back a sarcastic chuckle.

"You're one to talk! Are you seriously trying to tell me there was no boot knocking between you and Robert?"

"I...I.."

She looks away, but not before you see a blush creeping onto her cheeks, while Robert just whistles nonchalantly. Jonas has covered Ginny's innocent ears, and Maggie is miming barfing. You hear Kendrick whisper to Henry,

"I was right! You owe me two gold pieces."

Henry grumbles and you make a mental note to talk with your crew about gambling on others' bedroom activities.

Yeah that's what I thought. I'm disgusted but I'm not surprised.

"Let's move the conversation away from my sex life, shall we?"

You instantly gag.

"Yes, let's. You still owe me one hell of an explanation."

"Once we stole the compass and it spat us back here, we were separated. I don't know nor do I care where you ended up. I however, ended up in the waters near Magdalena's temple. I don't know how long I was floating for, when a ship approached and my two crew members helped me aboard."

He gestures towards Octavia and Samuel before going on.

"We'd heard rumors about Magdalena's descendants and a magical world, but no one could prove it. I knew you and I had to be the descendants though, girl. Once we put the pieces together and Samuel spied on you for us in St. Sylvian, I had them drop me off back in the waters by the temple so the Tritons could "save me"-

He makes air quotes to show his sarcastic nature, but it wasn't necessary; the smugness in his voice was radiating off like a firework.

"-After that it was just a matter of waiting for you lot to show up to Atlantis. Once we got wind of Navy Boy's mission, I knew you'd all race to protect him and end up here, just like I needed you to. Isn't it wonderful that no matter what, we still had to rely on each other to stay in the past, Coral?"

You grit your teeth and enunciate each syllable.

"Wonderful isn't the word I'd use."

He pierces his sharp gaze at Charlie who's shooting daggers at him with her green eyes.

"Are you sure you don't want to join the winning crew, Charlotte? You were always loyal before she came along?"

Robert jerks his thumb in your direction, but Charlie shows no signs of wavering, and you knew she wouldn't.

"Yes I'm loyal, but to the right crew and the right people."

She gives you and Edward a firm, but encouraging nod and throws a quick wink at Oliver. Samuel catches it.

"Out of all the men we met.. it can't be."

"What?"

Before Samuel can answer Octavia, Robert grins like the Cheshire Cat.

"Charlotte will never join our crew; not just out of friendship to Coral and Edward, but she has developed feelings for the navy dog."

The rest of his crew cackles and Oliver bristles. Charlie calms him down by placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. At least your crew was more accepting of their romance.

Once his crew is done laughing like hyaenas, Robert replies,

"Oh don't be like that, Oliver. We even brought you some friendly faces; we thought you'd enjoy the reunion."

You all look up at the ship Samuel and Octavia arrived on, and see several more men appear, all wearing ripped navy uniforms. They're caked in dirt and mud and it's obvious these sailors are no longer part of the king's fleet. Oliver lets out a surprised gasp.

"It's all the men who were in league with my father! But you were arrested and tried with treason!"

Octavia rolls her eyes and blankly states,

"We're pirates. Did you really think it was the first time we escaped the noose?"

Charlie lets out an angry retort.

"Those men knew the Admiral would kill my father, and they stood back and let it happen! They have no honor."

"Much like you. I mean isn't that why you ran away from your father in the first place?"

Damn. Octavia was really going for the jugular, and cutting deep in the most painful places. Oliver pulls Charlie behind him so Octavia can't see the hurt that her words caused.

As the two crews bicker, Monterey steps forward, sharing the same crestfallen look with Varuna.

"You mean, you used us? You never wanted to help? But we'd been waiting for so long, we were counting on you."

The heartbroken look on the Tritons' faces make you want to cry. He may not care about them but dammit, you do!

"The only person I care about helping is myself."

As he says this though, you notice a faint glimmer in his eye and it doesn't match his words.

Not wanting to take any chances, you turn your back to the arguing and pat the chest pocket where the ruby is. Edward covers you as you snap the pocket shut, making sure Robert doesn't see where it is. As you turn to look at him, you see his sapphire eyes fill with concern for you.

"I love you, Coral and we are getting out of this, I promise."

His stubble burns your cheek as he kisses you, but you don't mind; you like the way it feels.

"I love you, too."

No matter what, I'm not letting Robert take this away from me.

"Ugh, enough!"

Octavia snarls as she pulls her cutlass out of its pouch on the side of her ripped skirts.

"Are you ready for what's going to happen?"

You reach for your pistol.

"And what's that?"

Robert catches your eye and makes sure only you see the words he's mouthing.

"Get to the top of the temple!"

The confusion is evident on your face, but he turns back to his ragtag crew of disgraced navy soldiers and pirates, and shouts one blood curdling word.

"ATTACK!"

The battle for Atlantis had begun.