Hold on, hold on to yourself, for this is gonna hurt like hell. Hold on, hold on to yourself. You know that only time can tell, what is it in me that refuses to believe, this isn't easier than the real thing. My love, you know that you're my best friend. You know that I'd do anything for you and my love, let nothing come between us, my love for you is strong and true. Am I in heaven or am I... at the crossroads I am standing. So now you're sleeping peaceful, I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow and will see another day and we will praise it and love the light that brings a smile across your face. Oh God if you're out there won't you hear me? I know we've never talked before and oh God the man I love is leaving, won't you take him when he comes to your door? Am I in heaven here or am I in hell at the crossroads I am standing. So now you're sleeping peaceful I lie awake and pray that you'll be strong tomorrow and we will see another day and we will praise it and love the light that brings a smile across your face. Hold on, hold on to yourself, for this is gonna hurt like hell.
Maeve nervously paced outside Sinbad's cabin. Rongar and Doubar stood with their arms crossed, waiting hopefully. Finally, after an agonizing half an hour, Firouz emerged from the room. Maeve nearly jumped on him.
"Well? How is he?" Maeve asked quickly.
"Maeve... Doubar... Rongar... I don't know how to say this. It doesn't look like he'll make it more than two more nights." Firouz's eyes filled with tears and he blinked them back harshly.
Maeve stood, looking stunned. Finally she collapsed to the floor, and started rocking back and forth. Doubar's eyes spilled over with tears. Rongar buried his head in his hands.
Firouz composed himself, and started again, "I know he wants to see each of you. He asked to see Rongar first." All three nodded, and Rongar proceeded into the cabin.
~Flashback to earlier that day~
The Nomad had docked on the Isle of Palm, and the crew was getting supplies. Sinbad had gone off on his own to do something - none of the crew knew what. After he had been gone a few hours, the crew got worried. Maeve, Rongar, Dermott, and Doubar searched the island. Finally Dermott found him, and contacted Maeve. They had all come running. Sinbad was laying in the forest, propped up against a rock. There was a trickle of blood on his forehead. His face was black and blue. All of Sinbad's clothes were ripped and torn. No one knew what had happened to him. Everyone assumed that he had gotten in over his head and had been overpowered. Doubar carried him back to the ship, where they were now.
~Flashback to present~
The Nomad had docked on the Isle of Palm, and the crew was getting supplies. Sinbad had gone off on his own to do something - none of the crew knew what. After he had been gone a few hours, the crew got worried. Maeve, Rongar, Dermott, and Doubar searched the island. Finally Dermott found him, and contacted Maeve. They had all come running. Sinbad was laying in the forest, propped up against a rock. There was a trickle of blood on his forehead. His face was black and blue. All of Sinbad's clothes were ripped and torn. No one knew what had happened to him. Everyone assumed that he had gotten in over his head and had been overpowered. Doubar carried him back to the ship, where they were now.
~Flashback to present~
Maeve sat outside the cabin, crying. Doubar and Firouz had just finished saying their good-byes. As Doubar stepped out of the cabin, he offered his hand to Maeve. She took it, and he helped her up. "Will you be ok, Lass?"
Maeve nodded slowly, and entered Sinbad's cabin. Seeing him injured hurt her more than anything. She blinked strongly to hold back tears, and sat down on the bed next to Sinbad. His eyes flickered open, and he smiled weakly up at Maeve. Her heart melted.
"I wanted to... save the best for last." Sinbad struggled to talk.
"Shh, don't talk." Maeve shushed Sinbad and laid down beside him.
"Maeve..." Sinbad took her hand.
"Yes?" Maeve's eyes filled with uncontrollable tears.
"Before I die, and I know I will, I want one last thing." Sinbad breathed deeply.
"What's that?" Tears spilled over onto Maeve's face.
"I want you to know... that I love you. I wish I could marry you right now, but I can't." Sinbad closed his eyes, trying to stop his own tears.
"I love you, Sinbad." Maeve squeezed his hand.
"Maeve, I deeply regret not expressing my feelings for you. I do love you, more than anything." His voice shook with emotion, and he looked deep into Maeve's eyes.
"I love you so much Sinbad, please don't leave me." Maeve begged.
"I'm sorry Maeve. Just remember I love you, and I'll see you in heaven." Sinbad's eyes started to close.
"I love you Sinbad..." Maeve's voice trailed off, and Sinbad's eyes shut.
Oh God if you're out there won't you hear me? I know we've never talked before and oh God the man I love is leaving. Won't you take him when he comes to your door?
Maeve laid on Sinbad's bed for ten more minutes. Doubar lightly tapped on the door, and saw Maeve curled up on Sinbad's bed. The large sailor's eyes filled with tears, and he began to pray to Allah that Sinbad was in a better place.
~*~
Within the next half hour that followed, the whole ship heard of Sinbad's death. Maeve had locked herself in her cabin, Firouz, Doubar, and Rongar were sitting, stunned, in the galley. Dermott was in the galley with them. Every now and then, a sob could be heard from Maeve's cabin. A few times, Doubar had tried to get into her cabin with no avail. Finally, that night, Maeve emerged. Her face was red, her eyes puffy. She sat down with the rest of the crew, who hadn't moved. Finally, Maeve wiped her eyes.
"I'm so sorry." Maeve ran out of the room.
My love, you know that you're my best friend. You know that I'd do anything for you and my love, let nothing come between us, my love for you is strong and true.
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