To Strange Horizons

Chapter Fourteen.

Mariana got restless. She made her way to the helm, disobeying her orders.

"She's gotta go, Cap. She don't bring nothin' but trouble." John said. Mari's heart sank. She thought he liked her?

"I know. I just... Where would she go? And I..." Jake's voice trailed off.

"Ya love her. I know. But ye can't let that take ya away from yer duties, boy." The old man spoke.

"I know."

She peeked around the corner, carful to remain unseen. Jake stood against the wall of the ship, arms across his chest and head in his hand.

"Just tell 'er. 'Ya gotta go. Can't have ye here.'" John said.

"Why not?" Mariana spoke, making her way up the four steps.

"Mari, what did I say?" Jake threw his hands up in defeat.

"That I need to leave." She said with immense attitude.

"No, I told you to stay where you were. This is a crew meeting, Mariana."

"Right, and I'm not important enough to be here. Or is it just because you didn't want me to hear it?" Her arms were crossed, Pearl had found a spot by her feet.

"Mari-"

"No! No Jake. I don't wanna hear it. I'll leave, okay? Find a port 'n drop me off! I'll be fine! I'm only a runaway! A fugitive! I'll only be hanged for my betrayal to the kingdom!" She threw her hands around as she spoke. They then fell at her side, her voice breaking with the next line. "I thought you loved me, Jake."

Thomas winced. The air was thick between the crew.

"I do, baby. I do. I just-" Once again, he was cut off.

"Just what? Don't care?" Tears spilled. "I wanna be with you, Jake. Forever. I wanna be here, forever. I wanted to learn! I wanted to help! Am I not good enough? Or am I just bad luck?"

Jake waved the crew off, leaving just the two and the cat.

He made his way towards his lover, who pulled back when he reached out.

"I don't want you to go. Fuck, Mari I want to go. I want to build you a house and I want to give you a baby and I want to grow old and die with you! But baby, old isn't a promise for me. And these guys need me. This is my life, okay? And I cannot let it be yours too." His brown eyes became glossy as he spoke.

"I don't have a life, Jake." Mariana grit her teeth as she spoke. If she leaves, she'll only be captured and brought back home to die. "You're all I have. Please don't take it from me."

Jake gulped down a sob. Keeping his composure was incredibly hard.

"I won't get in the way, I promise." She pleaded.

"Just let the bitch stay." The old man called. "Fuck you guys what is this sissy shit? Throw her over or give her a ring, I don't give a shit. I'm tired of listenin' to it!"

Mariana and Jake couldn't help but laugh through the tears.

Jake sniffled, wiping his red nose on his sleeve before pulling a chunky gold ring off his pinky finger.

"This is all I got right now..." He said, a little embarrassed as he slipped it onto her left ring finger.

Engraved on it was the same symbol carved under the name of the ship. Mirador, she had always wondered what that meant. She made a mental note to ask.

"Did you tie me that knot?" Jake asked with a choked chuckle.

"Fuck you." Mari giggled, throwing herself into his arms.

Happily ever after didn't seem so far away.