Hot daze, explorations and suspire.

Tierney saw the couple who had remarked favorably about the girl's blatant performance move on. She wondered about that. First, she would never bare herself like the girl had done. Second, she and Alex would never remark on such a display in public.

That couple had seemed to like it but then they left. Interesting. Maybe they went to play together. The display causing them to be heated? Or maybe they simply had an appointment there was so much to do on the ship, besides sex that is.

It did not escape her notice that Alex's eyes lingered just a bit too long on this show of flesh. Again she didn't know how to feel. In a way it was good she was now his confidant in such matters and not shut out of them. It was good he was showing his interests to her where before he had guarded that so well and fooled her completely.

She gave her husband a kiss on the lips. She deepened it and made it last, just long enough to remind him of how she could make him feel. A sweet smile was her last gesture to him before he left her in the spa area of the ship. She was certain he would head back up to see the girl if she had not already found a playmate, Alex would be happy to provide. Her emotions warred within her. All of this was very confusing.

Tierney wondered if she wouldn't have been freer like the girl up top had she been raised differently. She wondered too if she would ever be that free in the future. It was hard to imagine. Yet she had enjoyed Jake, Alejandro, Alex and Vonda in various combinations.

Soon she was in a dark room. The smell of jasmine burned from a candle into her. Soft music, that didn't distract the mind, played. Her face and body were cradled in cloth, coated with warmth and then the massage began. It started with her scalp. For a while she stopped thinking and just went with sensation. This held no questions for her, no difficulties like other things did, it was peace, it was glorious.
 
Shelly took another shower, then pulled on a pair of jeans and a thin, long sleeved blouse. She gathered her hair into a pony-tail, and looked at her features in the mirror. The Captain hadn't left much of a mark on her face, a bruise along her cheek, but that was easily covered with concealer. Her body was another matter entirely.

Bruised were along her breasts, her stomach, her thighs. The whip had bitten into her back, and her legs. She wasn't going to particapate to much come tomorrow night, after the guests all boarded after the day of the docking. Shelly was actually looking forward to getting off the boat, she looked around her room, and wondered if perhaps she should opt to stay on the Island this time.

When she got up to the control room, she blushed softly to the new First Mate, "Hi, ummm. I just was checking to see if there were any problems or concerns, that needed dealt with."

He smiled at her, and tipped his hat, "Just review that surveillance camera, and you'll see the problem."

She cocked her brow, and sat down. He had pulled the tape in question and written the time she was supposed to view. Shelly popped the tape in and was soon observing herself, leaving the woman. "What's that guests name?" her mind foggy from her ordeal.

"Kate," he answered as he moved to stand behind her.

"Okay," she watched her move around a bit, and then her eyes widened in surprise, as the woman removed her top. "Oh fuck," she mumbled under her breath.

"Yep," he chuckled.

Shelly covered her eyes, then shut the tape off. "Burn it," she told him. "We'll figure out what to do, later, if we need to ... the company will have our hide if this shit gets out. Damn, did she not even see the kids running around. Fuck, I don't need this."

She left the room, and headed out looking for the woman, she hated confrontation, but she had to play mean sometimes, and the "wicked" part of the trip was kept private, obvioulsly this woman hadn't known that. If Shelly could nip it in the bud now, she would.

The cruise was a family boat first, and a debauchery one later. Shelly hurridly made her way throughout the boat, and missed the woman, not seeing her at the bar. She decided she would have to catch up with her later. Right now she needed to work the deck, and make sure no one was pissed off, by the pushy display of sex. "That's why we have the damn invitations, if your not invited to join a party, you don't push yourself in." Shelly had seen potential in the woman, named Kate, now she wondered. She'd wait and see what happened next, and go from there.

Waving to a few of the other guests she soon found herself playing shuffleboard with a favored older couple, that were on their 75th wedding anniversary vacation.
 
Light was still pouring into the room through the window, even at such a late hour. Yet, Jacob took no notice from where he sat, . Neither did he seem to acknowledge the bundles of bandages on his shoulder, and wrapped around his right forearm and thigh. His attention focused upon the form that lay before him on the small bed. She was covered from the neck down in a white hospital gown, having just come from surgery. Tubes and wires of all kinds twisted and coiled from her body, to the nearby beeping machines, as they monitored her heartbeats and breathing. Her chest slowly rising and falling with every breath. Jacob gently reached out, settling his hand upon her arm, feeling it’s warmth. Once again, tears were shed from his dark eyes.

She was alive! His treasured sister was alive, and safe. Again and again, those words repeated in his mind. He looked upon her now. Her deep olive colored face stood out upon the curtain of jet black hair that draped her shoulders. He lifted his hand to brush a few strands from her cheek, then, by reflex, he reached for her hand. When he touched bandage where her hand should have been, he recoiled, as memories flooded back.

The flight in the chopper had not been long. A little over an hour and they came to land on this island. Wasting little time, he and Cyndi, had met with the others, all old friends from what seemed another lifetime. Greetings were quick, before they headed for where his sister had been held. They arrived silently to a private residence on the outskirts of the island. Jacob smiled, as he recalled how old habits seemed to resurface to keep him unseen, while he and the others had snuck onto the guarded grounds. The assault had been perfect; quiet and clean, not a body to be found. Then, inside the house, he had found her. Bound upon the floor in an empty room. Around her was a pool of crimson. They had slit her wrist. Tears had poured from his eyes then, as he fell to her, cradling her, feeling her neck and finding the weakest of pulses. Then, as he wrapped her arm in tight bindings; the ringing of gunshots sounded, rattling from outside. Still carrying his sister in his arms, he raced out the doors to the back of the house, busting through the doors in time to see a small helicopter begin to get its blades turning. From within the dark shadows of its cabin, bullets rained. Jacob had ducked back in, but now anger was added to his grief, and he pasted his sister’s limp form to another. Then, pulling his weapon from his hip, he ran towards the slowly rising machine, emptying the guns clip at the darkness that hide the one who had taken his sister. So much was his rage that as bullets tore through his shoulder, leg and arm, he continued to shoot. Until he collapsed, blood issuing from the several holes cut into his flesh. Yet, as the helicopter faded into the distance, he held the gun still, finger continuing to squeeze the useless trigger.

Jacob was brought back as a soft hand touched his shoulder. He turned to see Cyndi looking down.

“You really should be resting, J.” She said, noticing his wincing as he turned back towards the girl on the bed. ”She lost a lot of blood, but with the transfusions she got, they said she was gonna be just fine.”

“I know.”, he replied, “I just wanted to be here when she woke up.” Cyndi just nodded, knowing it was pointless to argue. So, she took a deep breath before speaking again.

“I checked with the port authority like you asked, and that ship you were on is to dock here in a little while.”

“Thanks, Cyn.”

Cyndi hesitated for a moment, but then continued, “Jacob, something happened on that ship of yours.”

He turned back to her, “What?”

“All I know is what the port authority told me. The Captain is under house arrest, and is to be brought up on charges.”

Dread gripped Jacob, “What charges?”

“For sexual assault and battery of an employee.”

He shook, ”Who?”

Cyndi gulped, ”The name I got was ‘Shelly’”
 
OOC

Kitsykat sent me a PM, she is leaving the thread, due to someone slagging her off she said, or words to that effect.

Shaking my head in despair, and getting very discouraged to say the least.
 
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Gentle fingers awoke Jacob as they combed through his hair. His eyes slowly opened. He had ended up falling asleep despite his best efforts, his pillow being his sisters arm. As his eyes followed the slim arm to which the hand on his head was attached, he smiled. Looking down on him, his sister returned that smile, her big brown eyes filled with warmth and love.

Before Jacob even realized it, his arms were around her, hugging her tightly. He could barly contain the tears welling at the corners of his eyes. He had never been one to weep in view of others, yet in the past few days, he had shed more tears then he could recount. “I was so afraid I had lost you, sis!” He managed to say.

“Well, if you keep squeezing me like that, you still might!”, she wheezed. Quickly letting his arms go slack, he gave her an embarrassed look. To which she just responded with a laugh, smiling at her silly brother, before touching his left cheek, while kissing the right. “I knew you’d come and find me. You’ve always takin care of me.” Then she grinned, “Well, when I wasn’t bailing you out of jail anyway!” At the last word, she playfully slapped his cheek.

It was Jacob’s turn to smile, images of her face as he was let out of a jail cell rushing past his thoughts. “It’s not like it was ever anything bad, sis.” He excused. “I was just a wild kid. Also lucky you had such a great paying job then!” This got him another slap, a tad bit harder.

“You’d better be quiet, or next time I’ll hit ya with this!” She lifted up her other hand, it’s thick rock hard cover of bandages covering the cut wrist and missing pinky finger.

Jacob felt his smile fall, and his heart sink. “I’m so sorry, hun…if I had only...” he couldn’t finish, as his sister’s voice piped in to cut him off.

“Stop it! You didn’t do this. What you did do was save my life!”, then, as if reading his mind, “You had to leave me, Jacob. You needed to get a life of your own. I understand that now, and so should you. Besides,” that same mischievous grin curled her lips again, “At least they didn’t take my ‘workin’ finger.” Lifting her covered hand again, she pulled down all but one of the remaining fingers that stuck out of the bandages, giving Jacob the ‘bird’.

“Hey!”, he shouted, before grabbing one of her bare feet, running his fingers over the sole. His sister screamed and giggled. Being true to her word, that rock-like boxing glove of a hand swung out, just missing his face. Instead it connected with his still bandaged shoulder, and lighting strikes of pain crackled through his body. Dropping her foot, and hissing through his teeth. His sister gasped, apologies pouring from her lips.

“I’m sorry! I forgot!”, she reached out, stroking his cheek. Noting the look of wonder in his eyes, she said, “Cyndi was in here while you were asleep. She told me everything .”

He looked up at her, the pain seemingly forgotten. “Everything?”, he asked.

She nodded. “Everything. Jacob, you can’t blame yourself for what happened to that woman on the ship. If that captain was as bad as I heard, then it was gonna happen anyway, was only a matter of time.”

“But if I had just kept my mouth shut, then he wouldn’t have done it now.” his anger rose, not at the man he had threatened, but at himself. “Why the hell did I do that!?”

“Because,” his sister started, as his eyes looked to her, “you’ve always been protective be nature. When we were kids, I can’t remember all the whoopings you took to cover for me. Also, you did it because you care about her.” His eyes widened at that, and he looked about ready to refute that claim, when she grinned and said, “That must have been one hell of a intimate night you two had!” WHen shock rolled over his face, she added, “..I said Cyndi told me EVERYTHING.”

Jacob made a mental note to never tell Cyndi anything from now on. The only reason he had told her was to explain why he had reacted to the news she gave him so badly. Not that he had given details, his only description was that he had a ‘wonderful’ night with Shelly. Yet, after all his sister had said, still he felt at fault, for the same reason he felt responsible for what happened to his sister.

“I just wish I had been there, I could have…”

This time the slap was for real, leaving a red mark on his cheek. Looking up, he saw anger flashing on his sister’s face as she spoke. ”But you weren’t there! Get over it!! What happened happened, and you can’t change it. Now, get over yourself, and start thinking about what comes next. I say, when this Shelly comes to port, you go pick her up and show her a good time.”

He smiled, “Well, I was planning on a kinda date on the ship…”

“Well there ya go. This island has lotsa good restaurants and hotels, I’m sure. Take her out. You’ve always been a romantic, use it. Make her the center of the world for a night. You do that, and I’m sure she’ll forget all about what happened”, then her grin returned again, “..and I’m sure she’ll help you forget too!”

He laughed, seeing that he and his sister truly did think alike. He nodded to her, before picking up the phone next to the bed. A few calls and things were set, and he spent the rest of the time talking to his sister, and getting a few more slaps in the process.
 
After her massage and spa treatment, she had the place put her back together again. Her nails were painted tangerine. Her hair was fixed into a complicated fall of swirling brunette glory. Tierney made her way back to the cabin and prepared for a fine dinner. Lunch had come and gone while at the spa. Of course, they fed her and gave her champagne while she enjoyed the treatments they gave her. She picked out a red dress for dinner.

She decided that Alex must have planned on meeting her for dinner in the restaurant so she went looking for him at the 7:00 PM sitting.

In the corridor, she suddenly felt a sting. There was a burning sensation right where the sting was, Tierney was falling there was no time to worry though or think at all. While she fell her sight was cut off dark.
 
The supper hour was approaching and Shelly was still in alot of pain, she had downed the pain killers four hours ago, but they seemed to be wearing off, so she quickly downed a couple more, before heading toward the dining room.

Her evening dress had been one she normally didn't wear on board during a warm night like tonight, it was reserved for the cooler nights. She pulled her hair into a mass of loose curls, that she had formed over the last 45 minutes. Then as she had manuvered her sore body into the long sparkling gown, that was when she had decided she needed more pills. The jacket was sheer but black also, and it to hid her bruises. She kept it buttoned, so the low cut V didn't show the bite marks on the curve of her breasts.

She reached the dining car without any hang ups, and quietly slipped inside. The bartender was enjoying the evening, flirting and handing out drinks. Shelly waved at him, and gave him an encouraging smile, she'd feel better once those damn pills set in she thought. She moved to the bar, and asked for tea, he raised his brow, and she reminded him about the medicine she was taking.

"Smart girl," he nodded and handed her a bottle of tea from the bar fridge. She winked and began to mingle with the crowd, she recognized a few faces, and she lifted her tea, and toasted them silently. Her eyes scanned the crowd looking for the Davis couple.
 
OOC: This should be interesting.. I say as I here the echo of my voice, as Furry goes on vacation, and Blue departs... and I post, hoping to steer the ship to the first docking, so Furry's thread continues, like she wanted till she gets back.



IC:


Shelly spotted Alex and made her way over to him, her smile genuine on her face, and the medication she was using helping to ease her aches and pains.

"Hello. How are you this evening?" she asked him softly. Her fingers curled around her drink. The cool tea was refreshing, and she watched Alex glance at her, smile then look around the room again.

"I take it Mrs. Davis isn't here yet?" she looked around and noticed that the woman in question was indeed not in the room. The time was approaching 7:30, and she wondered what time they were expected to meet.

"No, I haven't seen here yet. She's late, so unlike her."

Shelly could tell he was concerned and she offered to let him use the ship phone and call their room. Alex smiled and nodded his head in thanks. "I'm sure everything is fine, just unusual is all."

She followed him to the bar, and waited while he punched in the numbers. Shelly could tell by his face that his wife wasn't answering so she offered to walk with him to their cabin, and check on her.

"Thanks, I'm sure I'm over-reacting and we'll all laugh over this, perhaps enjoy a dinner of wine and tasty delights."

Her smile was soft, and she curled her arm around his, "Let's find your wife first, then we'll see what happens." She wasn't planning on entertaining anyone, for the evening, and for the first time since her first party, she was dreading having to even plan the next one.

The two walked along the inner halls of the cabins, and came to the Davis room. She waited outside in the hall while Alex went into the cabin to find Teirney. Shelly was surprised to see him come out alone, and the worry on his face was becoming more evident. "Mr. Davis, I'm sure she's fine."

"NO, she isnt'!" he exclaimed at her.

Shelly jumped back at his obvious distress and told him she'd call up to the acting Captain and explain to him what was going on. Alex thanked her, and told her, that some things had happened in their lives recently, and he really felt his wife was in danger. She tried to reassure him, but as the night wore on and no one had found or heard from Mrs. Davis, Shelly herself felt fear creep in.

Mr. Davis waited in the control room, watching monitors from earlier in the day, trying to recognize anyone he may have known or recognized. The security tapes showed his wife just before 7:00 walking toward the dining area, then it flashed to her falling against the wall, then there was nothing. Someone had taken out the camera on that floor.

A search was made, and nothing turned up. Mr. Davis was now sitting in shock and disbelief, telling the officials about what had happened to make him think it was the same people in Teirney's past that had her now. Shelly had watch the temporary Captain, command the ship to increase its speed, and soon the ship was docking in the wee hours of the morning.

The sun was rising on the sleeping island, and Shelly was trying hard not to tremble in fear, as the Captain was taken from the hold and led away from the ship. His eyes boaring a hole in her back. Mr. Davis was next to leave, followed by island authorites. Guests were questioned before they to began to depart, for a brief stop on the island. The normal lay-over would have been just the day, now it was going to be at least three the officials told her, before they would allow the ship to return to its coarse.

Shelly doubted she'd be on the ship, she was going to look around this beautiful place and see if perhaps a new life could be started here. Only time would tell.
 
OCC: hearing an echo. Hmm...someone else here too?? :D

IC:
“Why again am I doing this?” Cyndi grumbled as she drove the limo through the sparse traffic towards the docks. The drivers hat and gloves she wore a glossy black, as was the uniform that went with them. She looked back over her shoulder at the one passenger in back. Jacob just grinned and smiled.

“Well, for one, you are a good friend. Two, they had no drivers left, and you did say you would help with this. As for three,“ he grinned, “well, you just look so darn cute!” He braced himself, but it was then the light they were stopped at turned green. If it hadn’t, he knew she would have jumped in the back and beat the crap out of him. Instead, she just growled, hitting the gas a little harder then needed, pressing him into the back seat. He took a breath, relaxing, shuffling the bundle of flowers to his right. Everything was set. In a way he was glad the date on the ship hadn’t happened. What he had planned now was going to be so much better. Again he hoped Shelly would be interested. He thought back to the reports he had seen regarding what had happened, how she had been hurt.

The Captain. Jacob felt a flaring of anger at him, but then he grinned. He knew that far from here, in a jail cell at a police station, the same cell soon to be occupied by a certain Captain, there sat a very large, very mean gentleman. Under arrest for assault, he steamed in that cell, cracking his knuckles, and under the impression that the next guy to be put in that cell had been charged with sexual deviancy and was a pedophile. Jacob grinned more, knowing that soon, that Captain would learn what it’s like to be on the receiving end of a sexual assault!

“Ok, we’re here.” Cyndi’s voice returning him to the here and now. Outside the darkened windows of the car, the ship that he had started out on stood large, passengers already spilling forth from the walkways.

“Hope we didn’t miss her.” Jacob commented, before reaching up and tapping Cyndi on the shoulder. With a sigh, she opened her door and climbed out. Jacob laughed lightly, knowing what Cyndi was going to ask for in return for all of this; thinking about that, he made a mental note to stock up on Gatorade!

Outside the black limo, Cyndi unfolded the bit of cardboard. Holding it up so the name “Shelly” emblazoned upon it could be seen from all around. She grumbled to herself…’ohhhh, he’s gonna pay for this!’
 
Shelly had just started to walk away from the docks when she noticed the sleek black limo pull up. She shrugged her shoulders, limos were a dime a dozen when the cruise ship docked. The passangers were known for their money so seeing half a dozen or more picking up passengers meant nothing to the bruised woman, who would be looking for a job, while the police searched for Mr. Davis wife.

The woman that exited the limo did catch Shelly eyes. It wasn't often you saw a female driving a limo. Some did, but not very often. She smiled as she walked by then noticed the large sign the woman carried. Knowing it was for a guest on the ship, Shelly stopped to see if she could help her out.

"Hi, it looks like your here to pick someone up?"

The woman rolled her eyes, like... "duh."

Shelly chuckled and grinned wide, "Here let me see and I'll try to help you find them faster."

The sign displayed the name Shelly, and for a moment Shelly was confused, then she smiled at the limo driver. "Wait here," she told her. Shelly moved through a throng of people and finally reached the woman she was looking for. "Your driver is here."

"My driver?"

"Yes, your and Mr. Shelly's driver. She's over there."

The old woman looked to where Shelly was pointing. "I don't have a limo."

Shelly smiled and waited for her husband to appear beside the frail old lady. "Perhaps not, but someone likes you an awful lot to pay for a limo to come and pick you up."

"I bet it was my son Charlie, he's such a sweet boy." The three of them made there way back to the limo, and Shelly presented them to the stunned limo driver. "Here are the Shelly's." She looked at the old woman, and the old man. "You'll be comfortable in there, the air conditioning will be nice, and I bet you'll love the champagne they have in the back seat."

Looking at the driver she waved goodbye and headed down the sidewalk. She'd been on this island many times, and she had a little place that she was allowed to keep when they were here. She only used the little hut to rest and relax, while she used her 12 hour furlow to catch a few winks at the beach, and do a bit of shopping. Usually though she just slept, free of the abuse that the Captain had starting reigning over her.
 
Jacob laid back in the seat, breathing deeply. The cool air from the A/C filling his lungs, causing a feeling of refreshment to wash over him. He needed it. After all that had happened in the last day and a half, his nerves felt shot. His eyes closed, thinking about the one thing that seemed to focus his thoughts. His sister’s words rang loud in his mind.

“Show her how a woman should be treated. Sounds like she deserves it.”

He smiled as he thought of his sister, but it was cut short by a tapping on the window. Opening his eyes, he peered outside. An older couple was talking to Cyndi, and she seemed quite upset by the way she kept banging on the car window. “Now what she done?” Jacob mumbled. Sliding over, he stepped out of the limo in time to hear Cyndi mutter.

“I’m sorry, but I think you have the wrong car.” She said.

“Are you sure?” the older man asked, “We were told our son sent this for us.”

“Did that redheaded woman tell you that?” Cyndi asked.

Jacob perked up. ‘Redheaded woman?!’ He rushed up behind Cyndi, almost making her jump as he quickly asked the couple. “I’m sorry, whom did you say told you about this limo?”

“Oh, that nice young lady from the ship.” The woman said, smiling. “I think she’s in charge of all the fun activities.”

Jacob’s eyes widened. He had missed her?! How? Oh well, it didn’t matter. He knew she had to be close by, but first…”Oh, I see!” he said to the older woman, “Then she was absolutely correct. I’m sorry for the mix up, I’m afraid our driver here is new.” He knew he was getting an evil look from Cyndi right then, but he’d have to deal with that later. “I came along to make sure that this..”…sweeping his hand over the limo...”..fine gift from your son…ummm..”

“Charlie” from a scowling Cyndi.

“..yes, Charlie, made it to pick you up. So, please, hop on in and have a wonderful ride to your hotel. But first, if you could point me in the direction the red haired lady from the ship went. I need to talk to her.”

“Of course, she went yonder.” The woman pointed out a direction as she ducked into the limo. Shutting the door for them, Jacob pulled Cyndi aside.

“Just take then to the hotel, then you can do what ya want.”

“I figured as much” Cyndi fumed. ”What are you gonna do?”

“Don’t know…making this up as I go!” He grinned, and took off in the direction pointed out to him earlier. He dodged by vacationer and businessmen, leaped over carts of luggage, all the while looking this way and that. Then, just a few yards away, he saw her, her bright red hair standing out among the shades of brown and blond.

“Shelly!” He called, racing to catch up. Closer and closer. The last few feet he walked, until he was once more face to face with the copper-haired beauty he had met only a few days ago. She still looked at lovely as ever, so he couldn’t help but draw her into a hug. But he then remembered the report, remembered how she had been hurt, so he kept the hug very light, very brief. Ending it with a kiss on her cheek. He smiled at her as he said, “I'm guessing you'd like to know what happened."
 
Shelly had been taken by surprise when she had heard someone call her name, and even more surprised to be sweapt into a hug by him. At first it stung, but then he eased the pressure, and she knew then that he knew what had happened. Somehow that didn't surprise her, and she sighed, wondering what happened when he had found out. In the end she decided it didn't matter.

"Well Jacob, only if you want to tell me." They stood in the middle of the broadwalk causing people to move around them. She took his hand, and pulled him to the side where they wouldn't be in the way.

She tossed her hair back, and crossed her arms in front of her loosely. Her toes pushed at the sand that was littered on the wood beams that rested just above the mounds of sandy beach that extended so deep into the resort shops walkway.

"I mean, after all the stuff that is happening on that ship, having you explain why a Military Helicopter suddenly shows up and grabs you, why would that surprise me. I mean, we have one guest leave with the Coast Guard, you leave on a copter, another decides to strip in front of children, the Captain is arrested, Mrs. Davis is kidnapped, and we can't find her, I'm looking for a new job...."

With a hint of annoyance, over the situations revolving around this sudden soap opera life, she looked up at him. "I'm sure your like that guy in Under Siege. Steven Segal's character.... You're just like him right? You're so well trained beyond the Navy Seals, that the only jobs left to you on a ship that you didn't command was janitor or cook?" She blew her bangs from her face, "There's a line in that movie somewhere that explains all that, but fuck if I know it."

Tucking her hair, behind her ear, she sighed, "Seriously Jacob, you don't have to explain anything to me. I'm sure it was very important whatever it was, and I'm glad your back safe and sound. I'm not your girlfriend, your fiance, or your wife, you don't owe me an explanation. I'm just some whore you met on a ship."

She left him there, continuing her walk toward her little place on the beach. Her head hurting, and wondering how many pain killers she had left. She opened the bottle popped two more in her mouth, and swallowed them. Tucking them back in her purse, she traveled on.
 
Jacob just stood there, for the moment dumbfounded. All this new info still passing through his brain. Mrs. Davis? Kidnapped? New job? When he did look up, he saw that Shelly had made it nearly to shore, a few steps from the end of the dock.

“…just a whore you met on a ship.”

Those words repeated over and over. Each time, his anger grew. They way she described herself torn at him. Before he knew it, he was running again. Feet hammering on the boards, he caught up, takeing her hand and turning her round.

“Wait a second. Alright, you not my girlfriend, wife…whatever. And maybe you did screw the guests on the ship. But so what? You did what you had to do. As for me, I’m just some dink that thought marching around in the army would be easy money. It wasn’t…so I quit! Ended up working for some backwoods company that rented people like lawn equipment. Yeah, I’m really like Steven Segal. If I was I’d be making a few mill showing off my bad acting in some movie! But no, I end up getting to unplug toilets, and fixing urinals. Very glamorous.” He let her go. “So, here I am. Standing, wanting to do something nice for someone who was nice to me. If you’d rather be alone with your pain killers. Fine. I won’t stop you. I just thought maybe you would still like to take up that invite to eat.” Looking at his watch. “Lunch is in five minutes.”

He looked at her, anger still flowing in his viens, but his eyes softened. “ I’m gonna hail a cab. If you want to come along, you are welcome to join me. If not…”, he shrugs,”…I guess I’ll see ya around.”

With that, he walked away, towards the street just a few yards from where they stood.
 
Shelly watched him turn away, the crack about the pain killers had irked. She looked down at herself, didn't he have a clue as to why she was in pain? Her mind reeled back to the events that had transpired. Do something nice? She fucking needed nice a long time ago, she had no clue what nice was any more. Nice wasn't the way he had fucked her, that was a pure and simple screw, and he knew it. They both had enjoyed it, but it wasn't nice, it was sex.

She hurried up to him, and grabbed his arm. "Nice to me?" she stared at him, "Why? I'm nothing to you, just some girl you had sex with on a ship full of strangers. I'm not special Jacob."

The tears were building in her eyes as she took a deep breath. "I take the pain medication for pain."

She worked free her T-shirt, and lifted it from her chest, leaving only the white bra behind. The whip marks still red and sore, some scapped over. She pulled off her shorts, and discarded them, her panties covering the object of many men's desires. Welts were easily seen on her legs.

Tears flowed free as she turned away gathered her clothes and walked away from him. Her back view wasn't any better, as the marks the Captain had left on her skin showed bright against her body. She didn't look back this time, he could leave her, she'd been left all her life, she'd get over it, one thing working on that ship had taught her was she was a survivor.

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Alex stayed at the Islands police station for several hours, questions were tossed at him right and left. He fired his own back at the officers, no one answering either much, each one keeping secrets.

He knew he'd be a suspect, the husbands always were. He just prayed that his wife was okay. They allowed him to go to his hotel, there he sat in his hotel room, and worried.

"Where was she?" he kept asking himself, not caring that the sun was shining or the waves were calling. His mind only on thoughts of his wife.
 
Jacob had almost made it to the cab, when a tug on his arm…his injured arm…made him shout! He turned and looked into her red rimmed eyes as she berated him. Her voice choked in tears as she suddenly removed her clothing. The sight before him made him feel ill. The marks upon her perfect body, he knew made by the Captain, and because of what he had done to the Captain before he left. He watched as tears poured from her eyes, as she gathered her clothing and walk quickly away.

He stood there, pain crackling down his arm and shoulder. Under the bandage he could feel warm blood oozing from the reopened stitches. Yet, he knew the pain he felt was nothing compared to the pain she had shown him just now. It wasn’t from the marks upon her skin, no, he felt this pain was from far older and deeper wounds. And now they were opened, and it was his fault.

He rubbed his aching shoulder, trying to decide what to do.

“Hey, you want a ride or what?” Jacob turned to see the cabbie sticking his frazzle haired head out the driver’s window. He looked towards the cab, then back out at the direction she had gone. Looking out over the sea of people, he decided. Slamming the cab door, with him still standing outside it, he once again ran off after her. She wasn’t hard to find, heads were turning as she moved to replace her clothes.

“Shelly, please.” After he managed to catch up. “I’m sorry. You were right about that night. It was just a fuck. And I feel bad that it had to be that way. That’s why I set up that dinner thing on the ship. Because you deserve better then just sex. I wanted to make it up to you. And contrary to what you might think, you are special. Only a true survivor could have made it as far as you have.” He breathed deeply. “I made the mistake of leaving you when I could have helped once already. I don’t want to make that mistake again.”

AS he continued to look at her, he reached out to his shoulder to rub it’s ache. His hand came away wet, and red. Looking at his shoulder, he saw a spot of blood soaking through. He laughed lightedly. “And if you think I’m doing this just for more sex, I wouldn’t…..”, indicating his shoulder. “Even if I were able to.”
 
Shelly looked at his hand then his shoulder, "Jesus Jacob!" She looked into his eyes, and sighed, "Damn you for being nice." She took his hand and led him up the beach. She hated it when people were nice to her, no one was ever nice to her. They were polite, and they pretended to care, but nice, that was a whole new concept.

Once they got to her little 1 bedroom place, not even fit enough to call a house, but more like a shack that she kept clean and directed, for the 12 hour lay-overs. "It isn't much, but then again, your not supposed to live here." Opening the door, she followed Jacob inside, and shut the door behind her.

Pointing out a chair, that was under the small table, she said, "Have a seat, and I'll get the first aid kit." Pulling out the chair before she left. She chuckled to herself, and rolled her eyes... Guess there was a reason I picked that thing up... she thought to herself.

She came back, and noticed Jacob watching her every movement. "I'd ask if you wanted something to dull the pain, but then you'd call me a "pusher"." Noticing his glare for the remark, she apologized quickly. "Sorry, cheap shot, and I didn't mean it. I just figured you didn't want anything. Let me know if you do and I'll fish you out a couple from my horde," she winked and lifted her lips in a soft smile.

"Let's see what we have here," she said. Shelly carefully cut away the shirt from his body. The first cut was made at the arms, then up the chest and then up the center of his back. She pulled the material gently from his skin. She heard his in drawn breath, and apologized for the pain. "I'd kiss you and make it better, Hon, but I can't. I'm sorry. You want to tell me what happened?" She began to wash the blood away using a warm cloth.
 
Jacob made himself comfortable in the chair she offered; well, as comfortable as his shoulder would let him be. He watched as Shelly busied herself gathering the first aid kit from the tiny bathroom. When she returned, carrying the small white box, she made a comment about not asking him if he wanted painkillers so as to keep him from calling her a ‘pusher’. Jacob didn’t even realize that his eyes had glared at her until she apologized, before truly asking if he needed any pills from her stash. The smile she then flashed seemed genuine, causing Jacob to send one back.

“That’s ok, Shelly.” He fished in his pants pocket, and pulled out a tiny brown bottle. Inside, several large bluish pills jingled. “I’ve got my own stash.” On the end he added a crooked smile and wink, before setting the bottle on the nearby table.

It was then that she began removing the cloth of his shirt from the red stained bandages underneath. After that, the bandages themselves were next. Jacob hissed as the congealed strips were pulled away, exposing the stitched hole just above his armpit, below the collarbone. Thickening blood still oozed from between the threads, but was slowing.

When she mentioned kissing him to take away the pain, he couldn’t hide the shine of excitement that flashed in his eyes for just a brief moment. But then she said she couldn’t, and apologized. Why couldn’t she? He wondered. He had to admit, a kiss from her would have taken away any pain there was, as well as a few other worries that jogged around in his head. He was going to ask, but thought against it. He didn’t want to pry, not when she had been gracious enough to bring him here, somewhere that seemed a sanctuary for her.

When asked if he would like to tell her what happened, he was thankful for the change of subject. So, as she gently patted his shoulder clean with the warm cloth, he spoke about the events after he had left the ship; meeting up with his old friends from the company, and how they helped save his sister. He spoke of the one that had taken her lifting away in a helicopter, but not before putting a few bullets into Jacob’s body. A few bits he purposefully left out, mostly his own role in things, and of how he had walked out in the hail of fire shooting at that chopper. The first he didn’t speak of because he truly didn’t feel like he did much of anything. His friends had done most of the work, gently saying he was too emotionally involved to be much help anyway. He knew it was true, no matter how he had grumbled. The second he didn’t mention because, quite frankly, running after the chopper like that was the stupidest thing he had ever done. And he really didn’t want anyone else to know of it.

When he finished, he noted that she too was finished. The skin around the wound cleaned, and fresh gauze was wrapped around it. He looked at her as she packed away the first aid kit, and found himself reaching out. His fingers touching her face, while his thumb wiped away a lone tear that was still staining her cheek. It tore at him knowing he had made her cry with the words he had said. So, after muttering an “I’m sorry” he took his hand away.

“Well…umm…“he began after what felt like a long silence, “I guess I should be going. I don’t want to impose on you anymore. I’m sure you want to relax.” He stood, pushing the chair back under the table, and scooping up the pill bottle from the table and putting it back in his pocket. As he reached for the door, he turned, giving her another smile. “Thank you for your help. It feels much better.”

With that, he opened the door, and stepped out into the open air.
 
Shelly followed him to the door, the touch of his fingers still warm on her face. "Jacob," she said. He turned and looked back at her. "I don't want you to leave, and your not imposing. Please stay, while I change, and then we'll go have breakfast together if you'd like? Wait here, then let me know."

Grabbing a skirt and a halter top from the small box of clothes she kept in the corner of the room, she headed to the bathroom. Taking a fast shower seemed to be just what she needed, and she washed off the blood from his wound and let her own body feel the sting of the water while she rinsed soap off of her hair and skin. Braiding her hair, she allowed most of the water to drip dry from her, before removing the rest with the plush towel.

She slipped on a pair of blue panties and then pulled up the skirt. Those were followed by the white halter with strips of blue running along them. Shelly placed a dollop of lipgloss over her lips, and smacked them together in appreciation. Her hand went to the pain pills and she saw Jacob's eyes in her mind, her hand slipped away free of any pills.

Leaving the bathroom she headed back to the sandy beach, and looked around for Jacob hoping he hadn't left after all. She hadn't wanted to lose the one friend she had, and she hoped he knew that.
 
The sun was bright in the sky as Jacob stood looking out at the ocean. The waters were calm, only slight waves brushed upon the sands. Overhead, gulls cawed and flew, floating upon the soft salty breeze that had begun the sweep up. He looked back at the small building behind him. Within that slight structure, Shelly was bathing. He had to admit, his heart had leapt when she asked him to stay. He hadn’t bothered to hope for it, figuring that she’d rather have some time to herself.

At that moment, the door opened, and she stepped out into the light. Her hair was tied into a single long braid that rested upon her shoulder. It looked like the shower made her feel quite refreshed, as her face seemed to glow, her eyes sparkle. Jacob smiled as he walked up to her.

“You look lovely.” he mentioned, the clothes she wore were simple halter and skirt, yet only served to showcase how she did not need ‘sexy’ clothes to be beautiful. Jacob then realized his eyes had traveled her form a little too much, and, blushing, looked up at her face. Then, glancing up and down the stretch of beach, he said, “Actually, if your not hungry right now, I was wondering if you’d like to walk the beach for a little while and talk. I hardly know anything about you, and I really would like to.” He smiled, holding out his hand to her.
 
"A walk on the beach sounds lovely," Shelly smiled and wrapped her arm around his, making sure to hold the one that was not injured. "I'm not much of a story. Before I became what I am, I was an accountant."

She sighed as they walked down the beach, the hot air caressing their skin, as morning advanced further toward noon. The breeze kissed their skin, as she kicked little shells here and there while they walked. "I don't know how it all started, the job on the ship, it just happened. I was on a cruise with friends, fell for the Captain, and then it just happened all of a sudden. I was young, and sucked into the money, the glamour, the easy life, but then it started getting ugly, and I wasn't sure how to get out."

The water lapped at their feet, and she felt the sand squish between her toes, her sandals held in one hand. "My parents are both living, and they are both wonderful people, I have no sisters or brothers. I was spoiled growing up, I know that. Mom and Dad would be ashamed to see me now."

The couple stopped and Shelly found herself slipping to the sand to settle down into its warmth. Her fingers played with it, by the handfuls as she looked out to sea. "I don't think I'm cut out for that life, anymore. Romance would be nice, I think," she told him, as she looked up at his face. "I think I have missed that in my life, to be normal would be nice for a change."
 
Tierney was disoriented. She didn't know where she was. The room was dark, it smelled of musty disuse and mold. She started to move only to find that she was strapped down on a hard surface. Her body felt numb or she would have noticed her condition sooner. She felt lethargic even as a stab of fear went through her. The red dress was gone she realized. She was nude, bound and gagged. She felt someone nuzzled her ear, then another sting, dimly she heard laughter before she lost consciousness again.
 
“Normal,” Jacob repeated, as he too sank into the sands. From his feet he kicked his boots, lifting them up and dumping streams of sand from them. “That’s quite a tall order.” He smiled over at her. He was very glad to be with her at this moment, just talking to her. The noonday sun that shone from overhead, lit her face like a halo. He gave her is undivided attention while she spoke of her past. On the ship, he had thought her beautiful, but now, as she began to show her true self to him, he saw that she was far more. Beyond the sexy lithe body, there was an intelligent and strong woman.

Her eyes, as he looked into them, held such depth., he feared he would surly fall into them if he weren’t careful. They showed a woman that had been through so much, more then her age would have denoted. He felt a sudden urge to reach out and hold her, but he feared causing her pain from her bruises; the thought of them bringing a rush of guilt to his heart, but he pushed it away. This was no time for regrets, not when she was here with him. This was time to savor.

Taking a chance, her reached down, taking her hand in his. Gently brushing away sand from her fingers, he brought it up to his face, kissing it softly. “As for romance,” he muttered, looking up at her, “I think that can be arranged.” Giving her hand a gentle squeeze, while tracing her cheeks with light touches of his fingers. All this seemed almost too perfect, the soft rushing of the waves as they licked at their feet, the warm breeze ruffling her braid of red hair, all that was left was a sweet soft kiss, yet he wondered if she felt the same, or if she would prefer this left as simple conversation
 
Shelly smiled softly as she felt the touch of his fingers upon her skin. Shelly trembled slightly, and found herself leaning into him. She paused just a breath away from his lips, and wanted desperately to touch him, to kiss him, and to have him give her the part of herself she knew was there, but she retreated. "I'm sure you are a very romantic man," she whispered.

She looked back to the sea, her heart heavy with indecision. With a timidness she hadn't experienced in a long time, she placed his hand in her lap and twined her fingers with his. "Thank you for coming back with me Jacob. Thank you for just coming back, even if it wasn't for me in general, but for the job. I appreciate it."

Her fingers absentmindly traced the veins of his hands and the small scars she saw from nicks and cuts, she assumed were from fights of some nature. She didn't have any scars that were easily noticeable. There was one on the back of her knee, but no one noticed it, they were always preoccupied with other parts of her body.

The wind stirred the sand and the water and she wondered how she wanted things to move with Jacob. Shelly knew she wanted to know more about him, to learn more about him, and in time have him show her the things she had been missing. If she moved to fast, wasn't she just the slut she no longer wished to be? If she moved to slow would he not find her interesting? Her mind struggled with these thoughts as the quietness of the morning slipped away with the sounds of children and parents beginning to litter the beach.
 
The minute Alex had realized Tierney had been snatched, he began making phone calls. A man like Alex Davis knew a great deal about the world. He knew, for instance that in some parts of the world, kidnapping people for ransom was a major business. He had avoided a cruise with those sorts of ports for just that reason, but just in case he had planned on extra security meeting them at each port. On the ship itself, Tierney should have been safe. Statistically speaking few disappear from cruise ships that are not docked. It happens, but not often.

When it does happen, the person is often never found alive. Alex was going to do everything he could to make sure Tierney was found, and was found well. He knew people. People he knew, also knew people. The sort of people who could get things done. In this one instance Alex didn't much care how it got done, he just wanted Tierney back safe and sound. So the night before they reached port, he had his contacts working already to find Tierney. He prayed that she had not already be killed and dumped at sea.

The next day at the local police headquarters, he knew what to expect but it was still galling to be treated as a suspect in his wife's case. He chose to go without an attorney though he easily could have had one met him there, because he felt that would reflect on him badly. He was innocent. People in the ship had seen him all day and early evening but to trot in there with an expensive attorney would only make things go slower.

Most murders that are solved are solved quickly, after 24 hours the case grows colder and colder. Most kidnappings the victim's family is contacted within 36 hours. Alex was hopping this was a kidnapping and not something worse.

Even while the police slowed him and themselves down asking the same stupid questions over and over, the men Alex had contacted combed the ship for clues. They also called in some others in the area that would have some specialized skills and insight into the abduction.

Hours later at a local luxury hotel, Alex paced and waiting for results. He was exhausted, anxious and very irritable. He had already arranged to free up funds if need be. They might have to play along with a ransom demand. If so they could track and kill the fuckers later, Alex figured. Money, was not a problem, did not compare to what Alex wanted back and he wanted her right damned now.
 
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