"Well, we can't lead a mutiny with you wearing that," Sean said, gesturing toward the blanket that Maeve still had draped over her. Maeve opened the package and found a new set of clothes in it. There were a pair of black leather pants, a pair of soft brown suede boots, and a silky, sea blue shirt.
"Thank you," Maeve said. "But I have to know something: Where did you get these clothes? They can't be yours, they were clearly made for a woman," Maeve said, noticing how tight the pants were sure to fit, how slender the boots were, and how low cut the shirt was. Not to mention the fact that the buttons only came up high enough to cover what was absolutely necessary.
"I thought you might ask that. Let's just say that they belonged to a lady friend of the Captain's. Actually, he bought them for her."
"Well, it seems that his taste isn't all that bad," Maeve said. "I guess they'll do."
"They'll have to do, unless you plan on wearing that shredded vest or something of mine, which, believe me, is definitely not appropriate."
"Fine. Well, thank you for this. Um, Sean?" Maeve said, then she cleared her throat.
"What is it?"
"Well, I need to change, and, you're still here."
"What, you don't trust me?" Sean said, pretending to be greatly hurt by the accusation.
"Oh, fine, you can stay. But I want you on the other side of the bed, with your back turned, and put this blanket over your head!" Maeve said. For the brief moment between the time Maeve took the blanket off of her and the time she threw it over Sean's head, he managed to get a glimpse of her in only her short white dress.
"Nice legs," Sean said, and was glad that Maeve couldn't see the wide grin that spread across his face.
"Hmph, you men are all alike!" Maeve huffed as she pushed Sean backward onto the bed and then walked around to the other side. When she was done changing, she looked into the mirror that was near the door. She saw a completely new person staring back at her.
"Are you done yet?" Sean asked.
"Uh, I guess so. You can look now," Maeve replied.
"Wow!" Sean exclaimed as he gave Maeve a thorough looking-over. The leather pants fit her well, but not so tightly as to be uncomfortable. The shirt didn't show any more than her old one did, but the contrast of the sea blue color of the shirt and her fiery red hair made for a dramatic effect. "You're beautiful." Sean added, sincerely.
Maeve blushed a bit and said, "Thank you," and then noticed for the first time that she was really starting to get hungry. "What else did you bring?" she asked.
Sean got the bundle off the table and started laying the items it contained out on the table. There was bread, cheese, and a small bottle of water.
"Well, it's gourmet dining tonight," Maeve said with a smile. She was grateful for just about anything she could get right now.
"A couple of my friends gave up part of their dinner tonight so you could have this," Sean said.
"Remind me to thank them when I get the chance," Maeve said. She ate in silence for the most part and Sean refused to eat any of the food Maeve offered him. He was glad just to see a smile on Maeve's face after what had almost happened to her.
When Maeve was finished, Sean swept the crumbs off the table and put the bottle back into the bag he had brought the food in. He turned to leave but Maeve put a hand on his arm.
"I haven't had the chance to properly thank you," Maeve said softly.
"Oh?" Sean said. Maeve and Sean leaned in toward each other until their lips met in a brief, tender kiss. They backed away and looked each other in the eyes for a moment, then they kissed again, this time with more passion and for a while longer. When they pulled away, they suddenly realized that there was more between them than just friendship.
"Maeve? May I tell you something?" Sean asked.
"Of course. Anything."
"I think I'm in love with you."
"Oh, Sean... I... I..."
"Shhh. You don't have to say anything right now. Just think about what I've told you, and we'll talk in the morning. Alright?"
"Alright," Maeve answered. With those final words, Maeve watched as Sean cautiously left the room and she thought, *What am I going to do?*
"Firouz, let me see your magnascope again," Sinbad said, for about the hundredth time that day.
"Sinbad, there's nothing there. We've been chasing proverbial ghosts for the past few days and have nothing to show for it."
"Firouz is right, little brother. Are you sure that bird knows where Maeve is?" Doubar asked, concern coloring his voice.
Sinbad looked to be in deep concentration for a moment, as if his mind was somewhere else, then he said, "Positive," and walked down to his cabin, and sat on the bed. *Dermott, you DO know what you're doing, don't you?*
*Of course. I wouldn't be leading you if there was any doubt in my mind. How many times do I have to reassure you, anyway?*
*Sorry. It's just that... well... I'm worried, is all.*
*You mean you're in love.*
*No! Of course I'm not... I mean, we're just friends.*
*You're good friends, very good friends.*
*So what's wrong with being friends?*
*Nothing. Unless you should be something more.*
*Oh, like you're such an expert on mine and Maeve's feelings!*
*I can hear both of your thoughts, you know. I know exactly how you feel, whether you care to admit it or not. And you'd be surprised what Maeve will reveal to someone who she thinks can't ever tell anyone else. Especially when that 'person' is her brother.*
*You mean... Maeve... loves me?*
*Indeed, she does. More than even she realizes. But there are obstacles. She can't just give herself over to you. Besides, you haven't exactly made much of an effort of coming out with your emotions, or getting her to come out with hers.*
*Okay, okay, blame it all on the sailor. It's not all my fault, you know. Maeve's a grown woman. If she has something to say, she should say it.*
*You just don't know, do you? You really don't know what life has been like for Maeve, how she's suffered, been hurt, wished for things she knew could never be, how she feels worthless and a failure because she can't defeat Rumina or change me back?*
*What are you talking about? I'd know if someone would tell me! Please, I want to know more about her--*
*Sinbad, no. Don't ask this of me. I can't tell you. She has to do that herself. I never told her I wouldn't tell you, but then she didn't think that you would ever be able to understand me. You'll just have to wait for her to come to you with her life's story. I'm sorry.*
*That's alright, Dermott. I would never ask you to betray a trust, I just wish that she would be more open with me...*
*Get some rest, Captain. You were up all last night.*
*I was hoping we'd be able to see the ship when the storm ended. Of course, we didn't. I'll get some rest if you promise to wake me at the first sight of that ship, agreed?*
*Agreed. Now go to sleep.*
Sinbad laid down on the bed and drifted off to sleep, hoping that they would find Maeve soon.
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A Fact Of Life - Part 5