(Nathan's POV)

Quiet. Too quiet. I'm preparing breakfast for the crew, alone. Before she came, crashing her way into our lives, I was used to a quiet kitchen. Hell, at one point I even preferred it. Once she pushed her way into my kitchen though, it was never the same, and I found myself liking the noise, to the point where silence, the silence is deafening.

I remember the way she pushed her way into my kitchen. When I told her to get out, she told me no, and then had the guts to call me some girly nickname. No one on the crew before her, had even dared to touch anything in my kitchen without my permission, let alone have the guts to call me something girly like princess. I hated when she called me that at first, with that smart ass smirk on her face. Now? I'd do anything to hear her call me that. It's been two days since she passed out in my arms. Two fucking days, and she hasn't woken up yet.

Christopher told me she's lucky to be alive, and that she's stable, but her body needs to heal, so it might be a good few days before she wakes up. Her hearts beating softly, and she's breathing, but she isn't awake yet. She has to recover from the blood loss, she lost too much. Too much, that there's a chance she might not wake up, it could go either way.

I shake my head from my thoughts, and start taking the food out to the crew. I've only left her side to make meals, I can't bear to leave her alone longer than that. Hell I even sleep on a chair by her at night, because I can't bring myself to sleep in the bed, the one I'm used to sharing with her. I already know it would feel too empty without her next to me. Hell the kitchen feels empty without her chattering away, cooking next to me.

I finish taking out the food, and start to make my way to the door, to go back to the infirmary, but suddenly Christopher and Russell block my path. What the hell?

"You need to take better care of yourself Nate." Russell says quietly, meeting my gaze.

"You're gonna make yourself sick Nate, you need to eat more, and get proper night's sleep. I know you're worried, hell we all are, but you need to take care of yourself." Christopher says, trying to lead me back to the table.

I sigh, knowing he's right, but I just really don't feel like eating. "Not hungry." I mutter, trying to leave the room. Russell stands in my way once more, glaring at me.

"Ya know she would want ya to take better care of yourself. You also know she would get pissed if she knew it was because you were too worried about her." Russell says, still glaring at me.

"Alright. Alright, shit I'll eat a plate." I mumble, finally giving in, and grabbing a small plate, sitting at the table. I know they are both right, and she would be pissed. Hell I could almost hear her now. But I can't hear her, not for real, because she got shot, in my place, I think bitterly. I slam my fist on the table at the thought, it should have been me. Everyone jumps in surprise, and I can feel they are all staring at me.

I look up and meet there gazes. "Dammit! It should be me in there with a hole in my fucking side, not her." I say bitterly, finally voicing what I'd been holding in for two days.

They all look shocked at my admission. "She wouldn't blame you, and you know it." Russell adds, and I can see the pity in his eyes. I hate it, not wanting anyone's pity.

"He's right, Miss Arabella wouldn't blame you. She has always tried to help people no matter what, that's just how she is." Thomas chimes in, shyly.

"That is just how she is. She always tried to save everyone or help. She considered us her family, and you most of all Nate. Hell, she saved Thomas after only being here a day, when she barely knew us. That's just how she is." Christopher adds, just further confirming what everyone else said.

I know they are right, but it doesn't take away my guilt. Especially knowing she might not wake up.

"That woman is stubborn as hell. Would always run head first into a fight if it meant saving one of us, or helping one of us in trouble, that's just how she is Nate. Hell of a woman ya got." Eduardo says, winking.

"Shit, she jumped to fight with Thomas every time he got cornered, and saved me when I lost one of my swords and was out numbered. She always fought next to you as well. She's stubborn and brave, and that's just how she is."Russell adds, laughing.

"She said yes to my offer of joining the crew barely knowing us, and instead of running when Eduardo pulled a pistol on her the first time, the woman pulls out two swords and tells him 'I'd like to see you try'. Yea that is one hell of a woman." Captain adds in, chuckling.

I smile, at all their memories of her, knowing they are right. Talking about her like this, hearing how they see her, and knowing how she touched everyone's life in a different way, makes me feel slightly better. She was a random stranger that stumbled onto our ship, but somehow she ended up fitting in with us, like she was meant to be apart of our crew.

"You know she thinks of us as family, and she loves us all in her own way. She would do whatever she can to protect and help her family. Especially you, Nate. I know she loves you. Hell, she loves you enough to take a bullet for you, and that was her choice, she wanted to, and she wouldn't want you to blame yerself." Christopher says, giving me a gentle smile.

I look around at my fellow crew mates, hell my friends, more like family, and smile at them. "Thanks for that you guys." i tell them. They all nod, and give me encouraging smiles.

I get up, and go back the the infirmary, taking my usual seat. She looks peaceful, except she's still a little too pale. I take her hand in mine. Even though I know she probably can't hear me, I usually end up talking to her anyway. "Hey tomboy. It's too quiet, so ya need to wake up real soon. We all miss you, and I miss your constant chatter. Hell, even Eduardo said something nice without being sarcastic, though we all knew he secretly liked ya anyway." I ramble on, telling her random things, and I find myself slowly drifting off. I lean over, putting my head on her lap, and sleep, with her hand still in mine.

(Arabella's POV)

Drowning. I've felt like I've been drowning for a long time, in a heavy water, heavy, dark water. For awhile I could see the surface of the oddly heavy ocean that I'm drowning in. I could see it, but I couldn't reach it. It was always just out of reach, but the water was so dark and heavy, and I'd always feel myself getting pulled back under, no matter how badly I wanted to reach the surface.

It finally looks close enough though, after so many tries, i feel like I could just reach out and touch it. I throw myself at the surface, pushing, and reach for it. I finally touch it. Yes! I think, excitedly.

I can finally open my eyes. They don't feel so heavy, and I can make them stay open. I take in my surroundings, and notice I'm in the infirmary. Oh that's right, I got shot.... I feel something warm in my hand, and on my lap... What the hell? I look down, and find Nathan's hand covering mine, and his sleeping face on my lap. I smile at the sleeping form, and wonder how long I've been out. I take the hand that he isn't holding, and gently stroke his head, running my fingers over his bandanna.

He stirs at my touch, and I feel the grip on my hand tighten, and he slowly lifts his head, blinking his eyes. He turns, looking at me, and smiles, the relief clear on his face. He quickly pulls me into a hug, and I wince, feeling a sharp stab of pain in my side.

"Woman, you scared me to death. Don't ever do that again." he says, his voice cracking.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to." I say gently, glad to be in his arms again. "How long have I been out?"

He releases me, only to back up a little and look at me. "Two days, we were all starting to worry ya might not make it."he says quietly, meeting my gaze. He looks a little pale, and like he hasn't been taking care of himself.

    "Wow two days. Nate are you okay? You don't look well.." I ask, still looking at him.

Surprise registers on his face, then he starts laughing. "You wake up after being out for two days, and are worried if I'm okay? Shit tomboy." he says, still laughing.

I raise an eyebrow."Well yea. You look a little pale, and like you haven't been taking care of yourself." I tell him, concerned.

"Maybe...." He answers, sounding guilty.

I think about it for a few minutes, when it finally dawns on me he's probably been in here with me, instead of taking care of himself. "Dammit Nathan! You've been in here with me and not takin' proper care of yourself haven't you?" I ask, glaring at him. He flinches.

"I....I'm sorry, I was just so worried, and I wanted to be here... I couldn't leave you."he admits, stammering slightly.

"Fuck Nate. You know better. Shit, you should've known I'd be pissed too." I mumble.

He starts laughing."Russell said that. He told me you'd be pissed if you were awake and saw me like this." he says, still laughing.

"Well damn right. Russell was correct." I say, not quite being able to stay mad at him.

"Aw come on tomboy, don't be mad." he says quietly.

"Alright. Only if you promise me that today you will eat, and sleep like normal." I say, trying and failing to look stern.

"Alright. Though I'll only sleep in our room if you can come with." he adds, nodding.

"Wait.. are you telling me you've been sleeping in that chair?! You Idiot!" I yell, hoping I'm wrong.

He flinches and nods. "Yea."

"That can't be good for you. Dammit Nathan." I say, sighing.

He starts laughing, and I have no clue why. Did I do something? "What's so funny?" i finally ask.

"I'm just so glad you're awake, that hell I even don't mind you yelling at me." he says still laughing, and I can't help smiling in response.

"Alright alright. So can I get up?" I ask, starting to feel fidgety, and wanting to walk.

He shrugs. "Normally I'd say that's up to Chris, but I bet they all want to see you. How about I'll help you walk, and we go see everyone?" he offers, and I nod enthusiastically.

I slowly get up, with Nathan's help. It hurts a little, but I manage it, and he helps me hobble towards the dinning room, slowly. We finally reach the dinning room, and Nathan slowly opens the door, walking through with me. "Hey look who's awake." Nathan announces smiling, and everyone quickly looks our way.

"Holy shit woman! Finally! We were all worried!" Russell yells loudly, smiling at me.

"Glad your awake miss Arabella!!" Thomas adds, giving me a shy smile.

"Glad you're awake. Though I think you shouldn't be walking so far yet." Christopher adds, smiling as well.

"Glad to see you awake Arabella." Captain adds, winking playfully.

"Well woman. So stubborn even a bullet can't take you out." Eduardo says, smirking at me.

"Glad to be awake. Sorry Chris guess I should've asked. And Ed, damn right I wouldn't let a bullet take me. Besides, I still needed to come back and kick your ass for all the shit you were talking before I left for town that day." I say smirking.

Nathan glances at Eduardo, raising an eyebrow after hearing my words. "What'd you say to her Ed?" he asks, and Eduardo actually has the decency to look slightly embarrassed, a very light pink staining his cheeks.

"Just teasin' her a bit." He says quietly, obviously not wanting to get too specific.

Russell snorts. "Asshole was teasing her about you and Sara. Insinuating you preferred Sara to her." Russell adds, shooting Eduardo a dirty look.

"You bastard." Nathan growls, taking a step towards Eduardo.

"Leave it Nate. Let me get him later." I say smirking, as I put a hand on Nathans shoulder, turning him back towards me.

"You sure?"He asks me, and I nod.

"Shit Arabella, are you sure? I think he took it a little too far this time. He kept pushin' you, and hell ya even cried." Russell adds, looking at me.

Hearing this, Nathan looks at me, then looks at Ed, clearly super pissed. "You made her cry? What the fuck asshole." Nate growls, glaring at Eduardo.

"Nate, leave it, I'll get him. Come on, take me back to our room, I'm a little tired." I add, knowing that would get him to back off of Ed.

"You okay? You're not dizzy or anything right?" he asked, suddenly concerned.

I shake my head."Na, just a little tired, and my side hurts a little." I tell him, and he nods, scooping me up bridal style, and starts walking off to our room, after shooting Eduardo one last dirty look.

We finally reach our room, and he gently lays me down on the bed. I suddenly remember something he said to me before, and decide to ask."So remember when we were fighting? What did you get that you were gonna show me later?" I ask, looking at him.

He looks away blushing. What the hell? "You want to know now?" he asks, still blushing, and I nod.

He goes to his closet, and digs around, producing a little box. He walks back over, and sits next to me on the bed. "Arabella, I love you, and I can't picture my life without you in it. I know I haven't known you all that long, but that doesn't change how I feel, and I don't think my feelings will ever change. I know I don't have much to offer you, as I'm only a pirate, and will always be one, and It might not be much of a life, but it's the life I've chosen, and I always want you to be apart of it. Marry me. Marry me Arabella." He says, looking at me really intently, as he opens the box, which holds a beautiful, yet simple ring, a wedding band with one jewel embedded into the band.