Updated – June 28, 2000
Sleeping Beauty Rising
Jack carefully tilted his chair. He was doing his best to steady himself and focus. It isn't hard, he reminded himself. It was something he'd done a hundred times before. He just needed a little balance. That's all I ne… And with that he fell back again. Quickly grabbing out, he caught hold of the side of the bunk beside him, preventing an unfortunate impact with the floor.
It was now official; he was bored and completely unable to balance on the back two legs of a chair. He wasn't sure what started him down the road to chair balancing tonight, but forty minutes of it was enough.
Settling the chair back on all of its legs again, Jack Schmidt yawned and stretched. Checking his wristwatch he saw the night was passing into morning, but it would be hours before the rest of the crew awoke. Lucky them. At eight last night he was a little tired, after ending up in the ocean he found himself quite fatigued. Now, after watching her…Sara for nearly seven hours he figured he could use a little rest, maybe. But here he was, watching her and waiting. Hour after hour. Minute after minute. Second after…SIGH! Here he was, balancing on a chair, counting rivets, trying to figure out what various sounds from deep in the ship were, whatever it took to wile away the hours.
Jack looked at her again, just lying there. She hadn't moved, even slightly, all night. Her temperature, heartbeat, and breathing were regular, and she seemed well otherwise. He just had to believe she'd been out there in the water for a while and just needed to rest and recover now. Just for awhile. Whatever the reason, it guaranteed he couldn't gear down his concern. If she'd wake up he could at least get some cognizant facts on her health. She could also answer all the questions he had percolating in his mind about her and her situation. It was hard to tell which pushed him on more.
So there he was, tired and bored, but stuck at Sara's side by his worry and incessant curiosity. What was there to do?
Pushing back some from the bunk again, he tried to find that elusive balancing point for the chair. Angling back, he tried to make one last stab at the feat. How many hours in high schools had he wasted doing this type of thing? Too bad you have to grow up. Proceeding on, he thought he almost had it. Steadying himself, he pushed back a little more, almost there. Finally, he had it, success. But as soon as he did, the careful balance was lost and he began to fall back. Grabbing out for the bunk, he missed it and continued on. Wincing, he let out a quick yell, trying to ready himself to meet the floor.
But, he stopped. Looking up he saw Captain Keiwara over him, holding the chair's back.
Speaking quietly in his thick accent, he said, "I do not think that is proper language to use in the presence of any lady."
Sitting back up, and more than a little embarrassed, Jack replied, "Sorry. I was just trying to keep myself occupied while I waited."
Frowning, Keiwara walked over to the girl, checking on her. "I thought you would be getting some sleep by now."
Sighing, Jack replied, "It'd be nice, but I don't think that'll be possible until she regains consciousness. I don't want to miss that." Getting up, Jack checked on her as well. Looking over her, he finished his point, "No, I don't think I can do that until I know she's okay."
Putting a hand on the bunk above, Keiwara examined Jack, "I think she'll forgive a small break in your…vigil."
Not looking at him, Jack simply said, "I'm fine."
Turning without a word, Keiwara left the room.
Trying to avoid the matter of how he was feeling, Jack watched Sara sleep. Is that your name? Lying there, she breathed softly and evenly. Her long blonde brown hair was dry and tangled now, in disarray around her face and on the pillow. He'd removed most of the blankets they'd layered her with earlier, to hopefully keep her comfortable. He didn't know, but she looked peaceful. Actually, more blissful. Of course, it was hard to say how long that bliss would last into the coming day. But the day was coming, and they would have to see.
After a few minutes Jack heard someone come in behind him. Looking, he saw the captain usher in one of the crewmen.
Waving Jack over, he spoke, "I believe you know Wataru."
Jack nodded. He didn't really know the young man, just seen him about and at meals. In reality, he didn't know enough about him to form an opinion yet. Wataru was a small man with scruffy short black hair, an unmistakably tired disposition, and truly didn't look overjoyed to be up at this hour. That's all he had to go on. Wataru blearily half waved and nodded back at Jack.
Keiwara spoke to Jack again, saying, "Good. Schmidt, Wataru will be replacing you, temporarily. Walk in circles, take a nap, whatever."
He wanted to protest, but the captain wasn't going to give him an option in the matter. Jack looked from the captain to Wataru then back to Sara. He'd have to trust that things would go okay without him. Like they wouldn't. She didn't need him here in any way, shape, or form. She didn't even know he existed. It was just ridiculous.
Striding over to the exit, Jack stepped out of the cabin and stretched a little, taking a moment to adjust to the hall lights. Taking a breath, he knew his own fatigue and concern were beginning to sorely bear down on his sensibilities. Passing him, the captain gave him a friendly pat on the back as he moved back to his own cabin. Jack watched him disappear into the room. Keiwara had been getting far friendlier with him since this all started. He guessed he'd found his way into the captain's good graces with all of this.
Going to his right, he stepped up to the door to the deck and opened it. A cool breeze hit him as he looked over the scantly lit deck. He shivered slightly as his body adjusted to the cool environment. The sun was peeking over the horizon, making its presence known. Thirty feet or so out on deck large crates and trailers were stacked on top of one another rising well over ten feet out of the holds below, out into the early morning. The sun looked to be slyly filtering into the night's domain, rather then regally taking its rightful place as ruler of day.
He was trying to get poetic again. He hated that.
Despite the coolness of the ocean breeze, he was tired and ready to rest. He slowly walked over, past the first of the trailers, to his favorite spot, where he'd spent many hours staring out at the sea. Reaching it, he slid down onto the deck, laying his legs out before him and stared out at the illuminated, but fading night.
It was strange. As he sat there, he felt like the night before was a dream. That he hadn't dived into the ocean half-assed. That he hadn't rescued Sara. That all of this didn't matter to him.
It wasn't real, at least sitting there it wasn't. How could all of this happen off of television? Jack let out a breath, trying to relax. He quickly found a yawn following. He closed his eyes, but found thoughts and questions about Sara engulfing his mind. I have to get her out of my mind for awhile. With a few more breathes he was asleep.
Then, with an abrupt jerk, he was up again. It was a bit lighter now and by his watch he saw it was close to five. If he were lucky, Sara would be conscious now, okay, and up, along with everyone else on the ship.
Getting up, he rubbed his eyes a little, clearing his sight. Heading around the cargo, he caught sight of some movement to his right out of the corner of his eyes. Trying to look nonchalantly at whomever it was, he casually turned his head to see who was there.
It was Sara. Turning his head back and contin………Sara?
"Sara!"
He quickly spun around to look back at what he saw. Was it possible? He must have been fantasizing. Completing his turn he saw that it was indeed her. She was standing there, against the trailer side, facing Jack. In truth, it looked more like the trailer's side was propping her up. Her blonde hair was being wrapped around her face and shoulders slightly, thanks to the wind. Around her was one of the brown blankets she'd been covered with before. She clutched it tightly around her slender form, shivering.
She made no attempt to move and just stared at him, focusing her large blue eyes on his own. Breathing somewhat heavily she continued to watch and seemingly scrutinize him. The two stood completely still, each watching the other.
Well, she was awake now. Now what was he going to do? What do you say to someone that you pulled unconscious out of the ocean? How do you open up some dialog? He needed something good, something to let her know she was safe now.
"…Hi…"
Hi? That was the best thing he could come up with? Maybe he should have spent some time coming up with a better opening, instead of playing with the chair. He just had to stick with it, and hope it was good enough to reassure her and get her to open up.
She didn't respond, beyond blinking and not moving some more.
He didn't want to move himself, afraid she would disappear like a mirage. But he did have to do something. What else could he say? He decided to stay with what he had ready. "Hi…You okay?"
Again, no response from her. She stayed still, just analyzing him.
This was getting them nowhere and her silence was worrying Jack. Stepping over to the trailer side he put a hand on it. She finally reacted to something, standing fully and craning her neck with increased curiosity, looking from his hand back to his face. Spending some more time staring at each other in silence, Jack wondered why she didn't say anything. A thought finally came to him. Does she even know English? It's not like this is the middle of Minnesota, maybe she doesn't speak it. Great, all he had to go on right now was a year of high school German and for the life of him he couldn't even think of the word for hello. What am I doing here?
He opened his mouth to say something, but had no where to go. To his surprise, she opened her mouth as well now, about to seemingly speak her first words. He stopped and waited to take hold of whatever she had to say. Maybe he could take a guess at her origins based on her accent.
She took a moment to speak, looking to be pondering her words. Then she began, but before she finished uttering her first consonant, there was a loud clang from Jack's far left.
Both looking, they saw the door to the interior swung wide open. Wataru and the captain rushed out quickly. The two men stopped and stared at the pair, surprised and relieved to find them. Hastily, Jack and Sara looked back to each other. Jack waited, longing for her to say something. Her thoughts seemed to surge around in her head all the more furiously now. Sara looked to be growing ever more determined and began to move towards Jack, using the trailer for support. Forming her lips to say something again, she took another step. Taking that step, her eyes unexpectedly rolled back and she began to collapse, loosing consciousness. Promptly moving, Jack reached Sara and caught her, and her blanket. Keeping the cover around her he lifted her up and into his arms. Jack let out a loud and exasperated groan. Well, doesn't this get more interesting?, he sarcastically thought. Turning to the captain, Jack waited for him to reach them.
Getting to them he looked from Sara to Jack. Still catching his breath, Keiwara remarked, "I guess she is recovering."
Jack shook his head. "I don't know. She made it out here pretty well. But that was probably a little too much too soon."
Wataru, uncomfortably standing by the captain, chimed in, "I apologize for missing her…departure. I was just trying to grab a little more sleep. Who would have thought she…" He let the thought trail off.
Jack obligingly looked at the sailor. "Well, no harm was done. Besides, she is finally starting to come around." He watched her for a moment, as she moved somewhat in his arms, seemingly trying to get comfortable. He moved her around slightly, trying to position her head on his shoulder.
"I agree," the captain said. "She is far spryer then we expected. That is always a good omen in the sick. But perhaps it is time to return Sara to her bed."
The three advanced back into the interior, returning Sara to her bunk.
The captain dismissed Wataru, to return to his own bunk for the little time that remained before he was needed for his other duties.
Yawning, and looking forward to his bed he went over to Jack. "Hey, American. If you need anymore help with her, just ask."
Looking up at him, he nodded and said, "Thanks."
As Wataru left, Jack returned to looking over Sara. He reached a hand out to brush some stray strands of her hair from her face, but stopped. She doesn't need to be fawned over, just watched. He returned his hand to his side.
Things seemed different now. She wasn't just some mystery 'come out of the sea.' She was a person. She'd stood in front of him confused, looking for answers, and most likely scared. He had to do whatever she needed done. He had already come to realize that the night before. It was why he'd been willing to stay with and watch her in the first place. Somehow he'd gotten himself off that important point sometime during the night, romanticizing it all and turning this into an adventure, into a pat little puzzle. He couldn't do that anymore, this wasn't a lark.
He had his game face on now, the one he'd honed in Gross Anatomy. He'd sit there just like before and wait until he was needed; it was as simple as that. Just cut out the games and complaining and focus on being…well, not a doctor… a caregiver.
Turning, Jack saw the captain quietly leaving. "Sir?"
Stopping, Keiwara turned and looked at him, not betraying anything of his disposition.
"Have you been able to make contact? Found out what ship she was on?"
He shook his head. "But we should be able to by tonight."
"That doesn't seem good."
Keiwara shrugged slightly. "It's somewhat embarrassing to lose radio contact, but the storm did turn on us quite maliciously near it's end. We are lucky that that was all the damage done. We still have the GPS and radar, we are in no danger." He paused, then said, "Yet." He waited again, then smiled. "Don't worry. When I do so, then worry."
Frowning a little, Jack looked over at Sara, asserting, "Well, I…" Looking over to the captain, he was gone. "I guess that's the end of the discussion."
What now? He felt an impulse to do something professional, but their really wasn't anything needed now. Wel, I guess I can take a quick look and see if she's still unconscious. That should kill a few seconds. He was doing it again. The poor attitude was really starting to make him wince.
Looking back to her, he found her lying there, staring at him. Her large blue eyes gazing at him and watching him move about. He almost jumped out of the chair, but restrained himself.
He was feeling really calm about all of this, very composed. He really wanted to hold on to this feeling, but could feel his excitement bubbling up.
Coughing slightly first, he spoke, "Hi…" Oh, no. Not that again! He stopped, trying to think of something more universal and meaningful to say, something she'd definitely understand.
As he sat there watching her watch him, she chimed in. "Hi." As simple as that.
Sara stared a little more at him, maybe waiting for his response now.
Well, she either knew what 'hi' meant, or she picked it up off of him. He'd said it enough.
Oh, alright. I'll say it again. "Hi."
Her curious face began to smile slightly, then smiled even more. He willingly joined in, happy to finally be communicating with her…sort of.
Leaning in close to her, she responded by moving back, a little wary. He stopped, and as he did she scrutinized him and leaned in slightly herself, looking him up and down.
This is kind of weird. But it was time to get to work. "Okay, how are you feeling?"
She looked up, back into his eyes, befuddled. She stayed silent, looking baffled and unsure.
Okay. We're here again. She had just picked up the word 'hi' from him. He looked down at the floor and groaned under his breath. Damn.
Sara reached an arm out towards Jack from under her blanket. Looking up, he saw her retract the arm quickly, but giving him a concerned look.
"I'm okay." For all the good it is to tell you that. He followed the thought up with a quick smile, trying to express his point. See? Everything's good.
She smiled again at him, but still didn't look fully convinced.
Well at least the status quo's preserved. She did seem to be taking all of this relatively well so far. It wasn't phasing her anywhere near as much as him. I wonder why?
Feeling like a grinning idiot, Jack tried to figure out his next step. Maybe she's from somewhere in Asia, maybe. I need to get the captain.
Standing up and stepping back, he put a hand up and palm out. "Wait…" Yeah, sure. Tell her. But what else could he do? Continuing to back up, he continued to try to express his desire for her to stay put with his hand. As well he fruitlessly requested, "Just stay put. Don't move. I'll be right back."
Sara stayed where she was, looking bemused by Jack's behavior. Well, at least I'm entertaining.
Opening the door, Jack stepped halfway out. He was relieved to find the captain close at hand.
Whispering somewhat, Jack called out, "Captain."
Catching his attention, Jack waved him over.
Striding to him, Keiwara pondered aloud, "Is something…"
Succinctly cutting in, Jack said, "She's awake again."
Stopping in front of him, Keiwara asked, "How is she?"
Jack just let out a breath and stood there. Then speaking, he said, "Maybe you should see for yourself."
Moving back in the room he opened the door wider and turned.
Still in the bed, she was sitting up now, clinging with one hand to the worn blanket she kept around herself. With the other hand she was repeating the motions Jack had been using to convince her to stay put. Watching her hand make the repetitive movement, she seemed intrigued. She laughed softly and abruptly and looked up again, casting a gaze over Jack. Then, as the captain entered, she looked over to him and repeated the word she'd learned. "Hi." She gave him a bright smile and watched him, awaiting the response.
Taken in by her disposition, Keiwara smiled, saying, "Hello there. Hi."
Sitting quietly, Sara looked back over at Jack, seemingly seeking some more interaction.
Sounding almost fatherly, Keiwara, speaking his best English, said, "So, what have you two been talking about?" He smiled at Sara.
Sara smiled back somewhat, but looked mutely puzzled.
"She doesn't seem to know English," Jack interjected.
Keiwara frowned slightly moving over to Jack. "I wouldn't have guessed, but it looks to be."
"I hoped you might…"
He nodded, catching the thought. "Of course." Stepping closer and taking Jack's chair, he sat by Sara.
Sara sat back against the wall, waiting to see what was next. She clutched the blanket a little tighter around herself, looking a little cold.
Standing behind Keiwara now, Jack hoped he'd have better luck then him.
Taking a breath, Keiwara started in with some basic Japanese, Jack guessed. Come on. Know this.
Sara focused on the captain now, pondering him and his words. It was an unsure silence and did not sit well with the two men. But the captain knew some Chinese and…
Finally, after only really seconds, she replied in like to the captain. At least it seemed so; Jack was completely lost in this domain. Still, it looked like she was conversing, really conversing.
The captain laughed slightly and nodded to her. Before Jack could ask what she said, he'd begun talking again. After a few minutes, Sara shyly peeked up at Jack again, making some comment. The captain looked at him now for a second, again betraying nothing. Looking at Sara again, Keiwara spoke. All Jack found he could pick out from the barrage of syllables was his name. Sara looked up at him and softly said, "Jack." Speaking a bit louder now, she exclaimed, "Hi, Jack!"
She had a strange way of saying…No. It was a nice way of saying his name.
Kneeling down by the captain, Jack nodded to Sara. "Hi, again. I…I wish we could talk."
Sara let a breath out now, looking a little frustrated. She talked to the captain again. And after a minute of conversing, she looked a bit surprised.
Sara looked at Jack for a minute, observing him and waiting. Finally, she asked, "You speak…English?"
Jack was stunned. That was the best word to describe it. The impact of her words almost knocked him back on the floor in shock. She was actually talking to him…in English. Maybe there is a God.
"Uh…yeah. Yes I do."
She smiled brightly and freely. "I…know English…some."
Smiling a little, Jack leaned closer. "Oh?"
She nodded emphatically. "I …did not…recognize it…from you." She paused, sitting up slightly, letting the blanket slip slightly off her shoulder. "But I…understand it…you now." Her head slipped into a tilt, watching Jack. She seemed to become more and more pleased.
What's with her? He had to wonder. She was so out of place in his mind, but still, she belonged. He truly believed that. Of course, that was a long way from accepting it.
The two sat and stared into the others eyes for a while longer before Jack snapped out of his happy daze. He needed to try to be professional about this.
Well, back to work. "This should make things easier." Jack paused before suggesting, "We should probably find some things out about one another."
He tried to crouch as authoritatively as he could, catching the captain exiting. "Sir? Don't you have anything to ask, or share?"
Caught, the captain stopped. "Ah. No. You seem to have things in hand." Looking at Sara, he quickly spoke for a moment, to which Sara responded and gave a curt bow. With that Keiwara slipped out of the room.
Now again, Jack was alone with her. The fact was far more noticeable now. He hesitated on turning back and continuing on. What would he say? What could he ask? She so easily had entangled him in a tornado of thoughts.
Focusing on the matter of her arrival simplified things for the moment. Turning to her, he caught her giving him a content cheerful look.
He grabbed the chair getting in it and moving closer to her. She seemed to be more relaxed about his proximity now.
"So, do you know what's happen to you?"
She looked mutely at him for a moment, pulling the blanket over her more.
"You talk fast…a little."
He winced, opening his mouth to apologize. Slow down. She obviously doesn't know English well enough to take it thrown at her at my normal speed.
"I'm sorry…"
"No!" Cutting in, she shook her head proclaiming, "It's okay. I…understand you."
Speaking slower and calmly he stated, "But it would help if I talked like this, right?"
She nodded quietly. As he watched her, he could tell that Sara was somewhat embarrassed, tensing certain facial muscles.
Smiling friendly at her, he said, "Don't worry about it. You're not alone in feeling a little lost. I've been on this boat awhile and have no idea what anyone else is saying."
She laughed a little, coyly watching Jack. She looked to be becoming far more at ease.
Maybe he did have a good bedside manner after all.
Sara spoke finally, with an unsure smile, "Do you…wish me to…answer?"
"If you'd like."
Sara's smile drifted off and she looked around a little, momentarily distracted.
Leaning forward, Jack asked with some concern, "Are you…"
Abruptly looking back to him, she blurted out, "I…fell into…water."
Sitting back, Jack nodded. "Well, I figured that, but where…"
"Then you save me." She grinned at him, leaning towards him and quickly bowing. Coming out of the curtsey, she added, "Thank you, Jack."
"Oh, well, you know it's something you do…"
"But you…chose to…act for…me." She took one hand from beneath her blanket and reached out towards Jack. Jack slowly reached a hand out towards hers in response. She took it, pulling him up and out of his chair. She looked at him pleasantly, giving him the impression that she wanted him to sit closer. He repositioned himself and sat beside her on her on the bunk.
She smiled timidly at him before turning her attention back to his hand and releasing it. She spent minutes studying and tracing it with her own hand, enthralled with something of it. His arm was beginning to ache a bit after five minutes of her scrutiny and staying immobile in midair.
Finally she stopped her little exam and looked at her own hand, marveling at it and wiggling her fingers around. She got a brief laugh out of the endeavor.
Jack could only watch. What is wrong with her? This really didn't seem normal. It worried him some. Maybe…
"Five." It was all she said.
"What?" He replied, a little concerned, wondering what she was even eluding to. He also was worrying more that she might be suffering from some other injury.
"We have five…fingers." She smiled, bemused by the idea.
"…" He really had no idea what to say to that. Did anything need to be said?
"We have…same number, but they are…different, but…also same."
Maybe…maybe she's trying to be philosophical about things, or spur a conversation along those lines. Please be trying to be philosophical.
"True, I guess I don't think about that much." He smiled with that, trying to brace himself for whatever was coming next.
She took his hand quietly again, looking at it and tracing his fingers with her own. She paused in her motions, then continued, asking, "Do you have…more questions?"
"Huh?" He'd forgotten what he'd been trying to do in the first place. What was next? "Oh, sure. Hmm, okay. Now, what ship were you on before you found yourself out there, in the water that is."
She looked away from his hand, taking in the room and scrutinizing her surroundings. She frowned some now, possibly upset. As she looked away she took and held tightly to his hand. In fact she was doing everything, but answer the question.
Jack was feeling all the more concerned. He felt the need to poke at the matter slightly. "Do you remember?"
Sara looked about with a bit more persistence, not looking at him, but still gave no answer.
Jack laid his head back against the bulkhead and stared at the bunk above his head. What use was this? Did she know, but not want to tell him? Why not tell? Did she not know? Did she have some form of amnesia? What was the answer?
After some time waiting and pondering, he looked over slightly, shifting his eyes towards her. He could see Sara was lying her head back like he had done. Her head was turned and she was casually watching him, looking as inquisitive as before his question.
Once she saw him looking her way again, she sprung forth with a question of her own. "Why do you…worry…so much?"
Jack furled his brow.
Before he spoke, she continued, "Why are you…sad?"
The questions jolted him a little, though he didn't know why. But they did seem to resonate with him. He found himself in the position of wishing he had answers to the question of his condition. Why can't I just let go? But really, Sara could use a roundabout answer. "I don't know. I guess there are a number of troubling things around and…I guess I'm not sure how to handle them, or cope."
She nodded, thinking about his words. She seemed to draw back into herself and just sat quietly, studying him a little more. "Why…you…dwell on…worst so much more. There so many…nice things…around?" She smiled at him, looking to try to encourage Jack.
She's a lot better at this then me.
"Force of habit." He didn't really have much of a response to her point, just a quip. He wasn't even sure if it was more self-defense or self-denial.
Frowning slightly, she demanded, "You must try…harder, Jack." She had a decided and quite determined look to her in that moment. She lightened up then and said, "You…should…not have so many…sorrow or…fear."
He tried to assure her, saying "Okay." He wasn't ready or willing to talk about these things, so he left his assurance at that. I can't go through this…Not now.
She nodded approvingly, pleased by what he was saying. She gazed out now, away from the bunks.
There was a short silence. Jack could have tried asking more of his questions, but Sara seemed uncommunicative on that front. And her own points were leveled too close to matters he wanted to let lie. No, he wanted to leave all of these dilemmas behind for the time being. Why harass her for his own interest, unless he could help her. He wouldn't do that right now. He wanted to find something else that didn't bother her as much, something that made her feel at ease, maybe at home. Something that didn't dig into his own…
Apparently, feeling more inquisitive, Sara broke the expanding silence. "Am I…thing that…worry you?"
The question seemed almost pointed to Jack. Notwithstanding it was still gentle, oddly inquisitorial, and elusive, like her.
He just sighed for a long moment, before looking at her. "I'm afraid so. I'm just not sure how you are, or why you are here." He leaned a little closer to Sara. "It…it worries me. I don't know what to do for you, or what I can do."
She gave him a soft and sweet smile that diminished some as he spoke. Sara sat up slightly, releasing his hand and resettling. She seemed to be a little embarrassed. "I…" She stopped, looking to the floor with her mouth slightly ajar.
Jack reached out a hand, placing it on her bare arm. "Listen, I wasn't trying to lay blame. I want to help you and I…I'm sorry." He moved to withdraw his hand from her arm, realizing he was well in Sara's personal space, invading it as well as her sense of safety.
She quickly moved to stop him, putting her free hand on his, holding it on her arm. She shyly looked back to Jack. Sara smiled somewhat, looking endearingly at him. She pursed her lips, thinking, before uttering, "You, Jack…you…never be…hurtful." Her large blue eyes penetrated his again. This overwhelming sense of trust, faith, and longing permeated her look, her actions, and her movements. It was staggering to Jack; it was an abundance of emotions that he hadn't been prepared for.
All he could was focus his remaining sensibility on thanking her for her…her trust.
Sara looked satisfied though, just smiling at him and holding his hand to her arm.
This was a moment he could have lived in for a very long time.
Sara leaned closer and Jack's apprehension flared. He really shouldn't fantasize like this. It’s silly. No, It was nice…but he had to go. Jack moved to get up and Sara obliged, a little surprised, yielding him his hand.
Straightening himself up, he turned to her. She looked up at him, attentive. Sara spoke quietly, "Is something…wrong?"
Taking a breath, Jack shook his head saying, "No. I just need to go check something."
She sat back, quiet still, watching him and making him feel somewhat guilty. It wasn't that she looked troubled or sad, but disappointed.
Jack knelt slight before her to say, "Hey, I'll be right back, okay?"
She just nodded.
He looked at her blanket, then said, "I'll get you some clothes to, so you can get out of here and walk around a little. That's if you want."
"That would be…kind. I would like…that." She spoke softly and appreciatively.
He was about to standup, when she added, "Thank you." She had a way of saying those words…like it was the first time that they'd ever been used.
Jack couldn't help but smile slightly, and turn a little red. Looking down and away for a second, he came back up with a sudden question. "What's your name?"
She actually looked surprised by the question, not distracted or disturbed as before.
He leaned closer. "I mean I should have asked you about that long before now."
She stared at him wide eyed now. "Oh…my..."
Watching her silence, the undesirable questions of before floated up. Come on. At least give me this. Please. "Well…it'd be nice to know. I've been calling you Sara since we brought you here."
She gave him an odd look. Slipping close, she noted, "Sara? You ca…Why?"
He was a little embarrassed to admit a dumb deduction on his part, but it had her interest, which meant he did and he liked that. He let out a breath, before beginning, "When we were laying you down and covering you up, so you could rest, you…Well, I'm not sure what it was, but you were talking…singing…Well you were saying something or somehow…I'm not sure."
She seemed to have some sense of what he was talking about, a lot more then he was going to have until she wanted to share.
"So, anyway, at some point I thought I heard you say a name a few times…"
"Sara." She said, cutting in briefly. "That is why…you say it…before…outside."
"Yeah, I got in my head somehow that that was your name. And that's that."
A confused Sara looked at him peculiarly. "It's…what?"
Jack winced. "I mean…um, that's my story."
"Oh!" She smiled and replied, "It a…very nice…story."
He blushed again. It was silly. "But what is your name?"
She looked at him for a long moment, pondering. A peculiar smile came over her face as she prepared to speak. She spoke, with a renewed calm, saying, "Sara…You…call me…Sara." She sat back, smiling all the more brightly at Jack, an enigmatic sense of self-assurance ran through her.
It didn't seem like an overly sincere declaration, but…Hell! What was he going to do? What's in a name? He surrendered. "Well, I'll be right back, with some clothes, and then you can get out of here."
She nodded happily. "Good."
Standing up, he turned and went to the door. He was about to open the door when he heard her…Sara called his name.
Turning his head he saw her wave her hand at him, as he and then she had before. "Come back…soon."
All he could get out was, "Okay." He stood frozen for a moment, watching her. Then he quickly moved to get out. Shutting the door, he rested against it for a moment. She's a bit abnormal.< But… For a moment a grin returned to his face. Wow!
As he walked over to the captain's cabin he understood a good many things were just as unclear now as when Sara was still a Jane Doe. Nevertheless, one thing was resolutely clear now. Things would no longer be boring aboard this ship.
RETURN TO THE QUEST FOR HUMANITY MAIN PAGE
