The Odd Ones (Jim x reader)

Chapter 13

(Y/N)'S POV:

Stupid rules. Stupid Amelia and her orders. Why did I have to be cleanup? I'm not a damn slave! I could've been with Sarah or Jim...but no I HAD to be cleanup. And what's even worse is that I have to get all this done before dinner time?? Oh HELL NO.

I rested my head against the barnacle-covered ship, taking a break from scraping them off the side. It's even worse underneath...and the sun is already going down. Why couldn't they scrape these damn barnacles BEFORE the trip?? I'm never going to get this ALL done by dinner! I have barely made a dent and I've been here scraping them off for two hours straight!

Speaking of the she-devil herself, Amelia looked down from where I was at and smirked. "Those barnacles aren't gonna scrape themselves off. You've got about 10 minutes til dinner."

"But I've been scraping for two hours!"

"Not my issue. You should've obeyed and respected me. Get back to work."

"Fine."

"What was that?!"

"Yes, MA'AM." I yelled.

She nodded her head once and went back to where Sarah and Delbert were. I shook my sweaty head and sighed. I don't know how much more I can take from this...
                                   ~~~

10 minutes later, Amelia came back with a chicken leg. My mouth was watering from the smell. "You done?"

I sighed softly. "No ma'am I'm not. There's way too much for one night."

"Well I need you to clean the dishes so get your lazy ass up here."

"What about the rest of the barnacles?"

"You can get up early and do the rest."

I climbed up with my scraper in my mouth. "How early?"

"Excuse me?"

I landed next to her, basically drooling from her chicken leg and taking out my scraper. I could FEEL my eyes turning sunset orange. "I-I said how early, ma'am."

She carelessly swung her food in her hand, knowing I was starving. "I'd say....before the sun rises."

My mouth opened in disbelief, my eyes immediately changing to red. "But that's like 4 in the morning!"

"Maybe you should've thought about snapping at Sarah and me. Now go to the kitchen and wash those damn dishes!" She pointed down at the galley with her chicken leg.

She walked to Headquarters with her food, leaving me alone. I screamed in frustration and slammed my fist against the ship. I hate this! I hate this so much! Having to be afraid of her, calling her "ma'am" all the damn time, not being able to eat until everything is done, being punished even though I apologized over and over again....it hasn't even been a day on this stupid ship!

I shoved my hands in my pockets and walked down the stairs, accidentally bumping into someone. "Oh sorry. Are you ok-"

Jim. Why of all people HIM.... I have no problem with him but today is not the day for me to messed with.

"Hello? Earth to (y/n)? Did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry. Whatcha say?"

"I said 'are you okay?' You zoned out. Do you need something to eat? Something to drink? Have you drunk any water today? Had dinner?"

I tried hiding my stomach growl. "I gotta do dishes." I avoided eye contact because I felt like they're blue, and I don't want to explain myself.

Jim looked at me with suspicious eyes. For quite a while too. Maybe he sees my now swelling knuckles. I looked down, and hugged myself, feeling uncomfortable. Jim cleared his throat. "Here, I know Amelia isn't treating you right."

"But how? You've been down here the entire time and-"

"Mom went down here earlier to get a drink of water. She told me everything that Amelia has done so far. Mom's worried about you, I am too."

"Oh." My heart skipped a bit, hearing that last part.

He smiled. "Let's rush and get the dishes done together. Silver will cover for us, then he'll feed you."

He grabbed my hand and took me downstairs to the galley. The smell of food made my growls louder.

I saw the pile of dishes on the floor with a steaming sink full of water. Jim let go of my hand. "I'll dry and you wash. Then tomorrow I can wash and you dry. Deal?"

I smiled softly, my eyes turning back to their normal green. "Deal."

He smiled softly back, shaking my hand. "The faster we do this, the faster you'll be able to eat. Plus, in my opinion, I believe dishes is the galley's responsibility and not clean up's job."

I agreed with a smile, shaking his hand back.

So we did all the dishes. We had a few chats, messed around and had a bit of a bubble fight. We got all the dishes done in about an hour, and I was now eating homemade soup from Silver. And without an eyeball.

"So this is the famous (y/n) Jim's been talking about."

Jim choked on his drink of water. "U-umm I didn't talk about her THAT much."

Silver smiled brightly. "Awww yee know that's not true. Every conversation we had was about her. 'I wonder where she is? (Y/n) would love this. Where is sh-'"

Jim covered his mouth, face full of red, staring at the table. "Please- no more embarrassing conversations."

Silver and I laughed together. I continued to eat until I felt full. I laid my head on the table and continued to listen to their conversations...until I heard a voice yell my name.

"(Y/n) (y/m/n) Doppler why are you down here EATING when the dishes need to be-"

I stood up straight, eyes wide with purple fear. I hit my knees on the bottom of the table, but I didn't really care at that moment. Jim cringed at the noise. "I-I finished them already. They're cleaned and put away!"

Amelia walked into the galley, looking high and low. Probably for more excuses. She clicked her tongue. "Well you should go to bed. You still need to get up early and do those barnacles."

"But-"

"No buts-"

"M'lady, she's perfectly fine right here, she ain't botherin' me or Jimbo." Silver piped in.

Jim stood up and wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. "She's with me Captain! I was gonna show her the constellations."

Amelia looked up and down at Jim, suspiciously then shrugged, walking away. "You still have to get up before the sun does tomorrow." She waved goodbye and I sighed.

Jim let me go, sighing as well. "What's her problem? Before the sun- is she crazy?? You've already done enough! Is that why you had to do dishes right after working on those barnacles?"

I tried pushing him away but he held my wrists together and down easily. "Fine! Yes! And that's why I'm gone all the time because I'm cleanup, like your mom said."

Jim realized what he was doing and let got, clearing his throat. "Silver. I'm going to share cleanup and kitchen. I don't care what she has to say."

"But-"

Jim pulled me closer, putting a finger against my lips. "I'm not arguing with you. We're sharing the duty. Plus, I know an easier way to get rid of those barnacles. We'll get them off in no time." I nodded slowly, still scared about all this.

Then, Jim smiled and pulled me in for a hug.

I always love his hugs...they're so warm and comforting..I don't want Amelia to yell at Jim because he only wanted to help me...Let's hope this won't end badly.