Chapter XIII

“Donovan, do you remember the other day when we went to the Maiden?” Hannah asked when they were seated side by side.  They were facing each other and holding hands, and green eyes looked directly into blue as Hannah spoke.

Donovan nodded slowly.  “When you mentioned the twilight... twilight....”

“The twilight zone, yes... exactly.  Do you remember what I told you about myself?”

“Yes, you said you were from the future.  That you had not been born yet.”

“Did you believe me, Donovan?”  Donovan nodded but averted her eyes.  Hannah gently grasped her chin and brought their eyes level again.  “Donovan,” Hannah asked again softly.  “Did you believe me?”

“My heart knows you are not lying to me Hannah, but my mind cannot seem to wrap itself around that truth.  I cannot understand how you can be here with me if you have not been born.”

“Well that is the root of our problem.”

“What do you mean?”

Hannah sighed.  This was the hard part.  “Jack and I have spent the last few days researching... geez, everything.  The door worked for us because we were ignorant of the time difference between our two lives.  We didn’t realize we were from diverse lifetimes.”

“Until you crossed the threshold and saw the ship.”  Donovan’s brow crinkled.  “But that did not close the door because we crossed back through to your time.”

“Right, but it was easier for me to accept being in your time because it has already existed for me.  I have read and studied history, and I know about the things that exist in your world.”

“I see,” Donovan drawled thoughtfully.  “So once my mind was presented with actual evidence of the truth....”

“It shut down, effectively closing the door between us.”

Donovan was silent for a time after that contemplating the bitter truth of Hannah’s words.  “I am sorry, Angel.  I never meant....”

“Shh, Love.  Hush.  I know you didn’t.  It’s really not an easy thing to comprehend, and getting hit in the face with it so to speak....  You say you’ve been ill.”  Hannah waited for Donovan nod affirmatively.  “Does this illness resemble in anyway the illness you had when you found Michael, my father?”

Donovan’s gaze turned introspective, and she cast her mind back.  Finally she looked squarely at Hannah.  “It is almost precisely the same thing.  My head hurt so badly, and according to Mama I was in and out of consciousness for nearly a week.  I don’t remember much.”  She shook her head.  “How are we going to get around this?”

Hannah pressed her hands together and lifted them to her lips.  “I still need to do some more research, but maybe educating you about the future slowly is something we could try.  I don’t think it is me making you sick... maybe it is being hit so hard by the radical changes of the future.”

“That makes sense.  It cannot hurt to try because I am not going to let anything come between us, especially not my own doubts of what the future really is.”

“You don’t seem to have a problem being in the future... just a problem with the future itself.  Am I making any sense at all here?”

Donovan chuckled.  “Yes, Love.  You’re making perfect sense to me.  Shall we get started on my education?”

“Sure.  Let’s start with something easy, like plumbing.  You already have a rudimentary understanding of that.”

************

Sometime later Hannah leaned back and watched the smile draw across Donovan’s expressive features.  “That is astounding.  So I really am on the right track then.  I just need to... mmph?”  A dark brow rose into an equally dark hairline.

“You just need to shut up and kiss me.  We can worry more about the future later.  I want a little now time, now please.”

Blue eyes twinkled rakishly, and Hannah felt a wet tongue glide across her palm.  She jerked her hand away reflexively and Donovan wiggled her eyebrows.  “I am happy to oblige, Beloved.”  And without warning Hannah found herself covered in six feet of sexy sea captain.  “Is this a better now?” Donovan purred.  Hannah just pulled the taller woman into herself and began to kiss her senseless.

************

She awoke with a smile on her face, then punched the pillow.  “Dammit!  We were just getting to the good stuff!”  Hannah turned her head and looked at the clock.  Surprisingly two hours of real time had passed for her, and she wondered what had wakened her.  Then a knock sounded on her door, and she realized what had brought her back from the lands of dreams.

With a growl, Hannah flung the cover back and crawled from the bed, snatching up her robe and throwing it on.  She opened the door and scowled at Jack.  “Yeeeeesssss?” she said with exaggerated sweetness.  The fire in her eyes made him take a step back.

“I just thought you should know that the odd weather pattern seems to be back, and a storm seems to be brewing.  I was just wondering, um... that is... I thought maybe... uh well....”  He scratched his head thoughtfully.  “I don’t suppose you, um... found Donovan, did you?”

She actually growled at him this time, and it was followed by a crash of thunder that seemed more than a little coincidental.  Jack studied her a bit more closely and noticed beyond her sleep-tousled look, she had a twinkle in her eyes and lightly swollen lips.  He grinned nervously and backed away another step.

“Ya know,” he said, backing further away.  “I think this will wait til later.”  He made shooing motions with his hands.  “Why don’t you just go back to bed and I’ll... whoa!!”  He got his arms up to catch her just as she jumped at him, and he held her in a firm hug for a very long minute.  “I am so happy for you, Little Girl,” he whispered into her hair as he felt the wet warmth of tears against his neck. 

“Thank you, Uncle Jack,” she said in return.  “I can’t tell you what all your help means to me... what it could mean to us.”

“I’ve got a real good idea, honey.”  He slowly released her and gently shoved her towards her door.  “Why don’t you just get back in there and see if you can get some more sleep?  It looks like the storm and the weather pattern may be here to stay for a while.  I’ll just go... do... something.”

Hannah gave Jack an all-out dazzling grin and kissed his cheek.  “I love you, Uncle Jack.”

“I love you too, Little Hannah,” he replied as he closed the door behind her and went back into his study to resume his work.  He had a feeling his research might be necessary now more than ever.

************

Hannah actually took a couple minutes to use the bathroom - splashing water on her face, running a comb through her hair and brushing her teeth.  She knew it didn’t make a difference in the dreamscape, but it made her feel better taking the time to do it.  Then she climbed back into the bed, curling herself around a pillow and closing her eyes.  She wondered if she could will herself to sleep faster, not even realizing when she dozed off.

When she awakened this time, Hannah found herself wrapped snuggly next to a warm, breathing body, and she kissed the shoulder beneath her lips contentedly.  Then she closed her eyes again firmly, luxuriating in the total satisfaction she found in simply being with Donovan. 

The third time she opened her eyes, she found her head pillowed in Donovan’s lap, and the pirate captain was gently stroking her hair.  Hannah stretched and purred like a relaxed, happy kitten, and she felt the belly at her cheek bounce slightly at Donovan’s soundless laughter.

“I like waking up here, in your arms. Was I asleep long?”

“Minutes as far as I can tell.  I do like waking up to find you in my arms or me in yours as the case may be.”  Donovan smiled down at her, remembering Hannah’s body wrapped around hers. 

“That’s good,” Hannah said, “because it’s going to be a rest-of-our-lives kinda thing.”

“You think we can get past the time difference then?”

Hannah looked at Donovan with a serious, quizzical gaze.  “Do you want to?”

“With my whole heart and soul,” Donovan answered with equal sincerity.

“Then we will.  When I awaken in my time, I’ll try the portal and see if it works.  If not we’ll meet here and work on it until we get the breakthrough we need.”

The dark head nodded and they sat in silence for a bit, each lost in their private thoughts.  Donovan continued her light stroking, and Hannah was lost in a comfortable half doze when Donovan spoke.

“You know, I have studied a bit of science.  It is exciting to know that so much of what I have read about is not only possible but very successful.  It is almost like living another dream.”

“It’s no dream, Love.  It’s real, and we are going to make it possible for you to understand and believe.”

Donovan grinned.

************

When Hannah awoke again, she was alone in her bed and groaned.  Their knowledge of the truth made things a little more difficult to manage.  Knowing that Donovan was waiting out there for her, alive and real in another time... Hannah rubbed her throbbing temples.  It gave her a headache if she thought about it too long.  She smiled.  She didn’t need to think about it.  She simply had to make their being together a reality.  Piece of cake, right?

Hannah swung her legs over the side of the bed and sat up, scratching her hands through her hair, then rubbing her face.  She looked at her clock, doing a double take when she saw it was late afternoon.  Hannah rose and walked to the window, realizing that the storm outside made it seem later than it actually was.

She paused to watch it for a long minute, noting the beauty and majesty the fury created.  She wondered if her separation from Donovan had anything to do with the ferocity she was witnessing and made a mental note to talk to Jack about it.  Then she walked into the bathroom and shut the door.

************

Jack was sitting at his desk, much as he had been since early afternoon.  The storm’s intensity seemed to be linked to Donovan’s reconnection to Hannah.  He decided it needed more study and wondered how Hannah would feel about sharing the dates of her dream rendezvous with Donovan from her diary.  He decided it would do no harm to ask and put a note on his monitor to ask her when she woke up.

He heard the shower running and moved into the kitchen to begin preparing supper.  He had a feeling Hannah would need to talk about a few things at least. He knew he sure had some questions.  Jack smiled when Hannah crossed the threshold into the living area.  There was a sparkle in her eye and a bounce in her step that had been missing.

“You’ve got the answer,” he said calming, continuing to chop the vegetables in front of him.  She took up a knife and bumped him slightly, until he was sharing cutting board space.

“I think we were right.  If we can educate her to the future, she should be able to cross the portal again without incident.”

“Do you have enough time?  The ball is only a few days off, and historically the Warrior Maiden leaves for Britain right after the party is over.”

Hannah lifted a bite of celery to her lips, adding a little cream cheese to it and chewing thoughtfully.  “I have to believe we do, Uncle Jack.  I think I only need to convince her of enough to open the portal.  Once that happens, we’ll have plenty of time.”

Jack looked at her seriously, considering her words.  “You’re going with her,” he said flatly.  “If you get the portal opened, you’re going to go back in time with her.”

Hannah returned his gaze evenly.  “Yes, I am.  And when she has learned enough, accepted enough, we will come back here.”

Jack smiled with sad understanding reflected in his eyes.  He knew the likelihood of that happening was nil, and he would be losing his niece to a fate decreed long before her birth.  Still he knew from her expression that Donovan was what she needed so he nodded his agreement.  “I believe you, Little Hannah.  If anyone can make it happen, you can.”

She grinned at him enthusiastically.  “We can, Uncle Jack.  I never would have gotten this far without your help.”

He dropped the chopped vegetables into the skillet, turning the heat down and stirring as her faced her direction again.  “Would you be willing to return the favor... help me with my research a little?”

Hannah wiped her hands on a towel and crossed to the fridge to fix them each a drink.  “Sure, Uncle Jack.  What can I do for you?”

“Could you list the dates of your dream meetings with Donovan?  I think they coincide with some of the more spectacular storms we’ve had here.  I know her presence in this timeline makes the weather go wonky.  I just think ya’ll’s, um... reunions and separations affect it in another way all together.”

Hannah blushed slightly and nodded.  “Sure.  Let me go get my diary.”

************

They sat down to dinner with Jack’s notes and Hannah’s diary between them making comparisons.  There wasn’t much conversation except to point out similarities and slight differences between dates and occurrences.

“It’s almost like there is a lag,” Jack commented absently.

“Time for the portal to open and close, perhaps?”

“Very possible.”  Jack looked directly at Hannah now.  “Are you going to try to see her tonight?  In her real time, I mean.”

Hannah nodded. “I’ve been waiting for the storm to clear,” she said, regarding the clearing skies that reflected back to her in the setting sun.  “I think our encounter earlier may have been enough to open the door.”

“And if it wasn’t?”

She shrugged.  “If it wasn’t, we’ll try again.  I’m not giving her up, Uncle Jack.”

He smiled at the fire in her eyes and voice.  “I am proud of you, Hannah,” he said unexpectedly.  “Never forget that, okay?”

She looked at him quizzically, then stood and wrapped her arms around his neck.  She planted a kiss on his relatively unlined face.  “I won’t, Uncle Jack.  I’m pretty proud of you too.”

************

“Donovan, are you sure about this?” Mama asked again.  She had wakened from her rest with the color in her face restored and her spirits high.  Mama secretly wondered if perhaps the illness had gotten to Donovan and given her a touch of madness.  It was the only explanation she could find for Donovan’s odd behavior.

“Yes, Mama,” Donovan answered patiently with just a touch of humor in her voice.  “I am sure.  I need to get home so I will be there when Hannah comes back.”

“I do not understand, but I can see this makes you happy.”

“It does, Mama.  It does very much. And I promise if we can, we will come back and explain it all to you later.”

Mama nodded, accepting that.  “You are still coming to the ball, yes?  The celebration is in two days.”

Donovan smiled rakishly.  “Yes ma’am.  It is tradition, you know, and I think Hannah is looking forward to it.  She has sent for a special costume for the masquerade.”

Mama smiled at Donovan’s enthusiasm.  She hoped Donovan was correct in her reasoning for Hannah’s absence.  She had really liked the young writer, and knew without doubt that Donovan’s future was tied to Hannah.  She just wished she understood why Hannah had disappeared when Donovan had needed her the most.

“Have you seen it?”  Mama picked up the thread with no outward indication of the thoughts that were running through her mind.

“No.  It had not arrived when we got separated.”

“No peeking, then,” Mama said, shaking a finger in her direction with a smile.  “You know the rules, Captain.”

Donovan shook her head.  She knew the rules, and so far she had chosen no one by the unmasking.  She’d been hoping to escort Hannah, but maybe this way would be better.  It would settle the rumors and the speculation once and for all.

“I know, but I will be with her at the unmasking.”

“You are so sure then?”

“Yes.”

“Good,” was all Mama said as Donovan stepped out the door.

************

Debendra made sure Donavan got back to her cottage safely, then Donovan shooed him out of the house.  She was anxious to take a look at her bathing room to see if she could incorporate some the knowledge Hannah had imparted earlier.  Strangely since meeting with Hannah in their dreams, Donovan felt no residual sickness.

She smiled, reliving the time they had spent simply holding one another.  That intimacy was something she found she craved more than she’d ever thought possible, and she hadn’t realized it until it was nearly taken away from her forever. Donovan shivered suddenly at the agony the mere thought left in her heart.

She sat down, staring at the painting of herself and Hannah and trying to catch her breath.  She wished Hannah had not asked Donovan to wait for her to try the portal first.  She had an impulsive, overwhelming need have Hannah here and in her arms.

Donovan stretched out on the couch, closing her eyes and wishing for Hannah’s presence.

************

Hannah stood for a moment at the end of the path watching as the sun slipped beneath the horizon.  Then she took a deep breath and turned her steps towards Donovan’s cottage.

She didn’t feel the coolness she had come to associate with the portal, and her heart sank.  Still she continued on her way to the bungalow.

Hannah turned into the pathway and felt her spirits pick up when she saw the building was once again in good repair.  She made her way up the steps and rapped lightly on the door before pushing it open and stepping across the threshold. 

She looked around and noted with satisfaction that the room had been restored, and the painting was back to its original design.

“Donovan?  Donovan?” Hannah called out as she entered the kitchen.  Her heart dropped again as she made a quick tour of the house and realized that she had not crossed into Donovan’s time, but she was encouraged by the state of her surroundings.  Things were looking up, and that was a good sign.

She traversed the small space back to the couch and lay down, hoping to find Donovan waiting for her in their dreams.

************

Donovan opened her eyes at the light stroking of her face.  She smiled when she saw Hannah, and pulled her down for a welcoming kiss.  They were slightly breathless when they separated, and Hannah withdrew just enough to rub noses with Donovan. 

“It did not work, did it?” Donovan asked softly, seeing tears pool in Hannah’s eyes.  Hannah bit her lip and shook her head negatively.

“Not completely,” she answered quietly, “but we have made progress.  The cottage has been restored in my time to resemble what it is like in yours.  Maybe you should try it.  Since the door closed on your side, you might have to be the one that has to step through first to reopen it.”

Donovan nodded thoughtfully.  “In a peculiar way, that makes perfect sense.  Shall I try it now or...?”

“That is up to you, Love.  I am here in the cottage in my time.”

“Very well.  Let me wake up and see if I can cross the barrier.”  Hannah leaned down and brushed Donovan’s lips with her own before the dreamscape began to fade.

************

Donovan woke with a smile on her face, relishing the lingering scent of Hannah she could still smell from the dreamscape.  She stretched a bit and rose from the couch, running her fingers through her hair to order it somewhat.  Then she stepped out the door and headed down the beach.

This was the tricky part, Donovan mused as she walked steadily and with purpose.  She had to cross the barrier and then return to the cottage where she would hopefully find Hannah waiting. The question was would they be in Hannah’s time or Donovan’s.  She shook her head.  Circular thinking like that could give her a serious migraine.  She decided to just go with what she knew and hope for the best otherwise.

About halfway between the cottage and Jack’s place, she felt the familiar, welcome chill.  With a brief grin and a triumphant look, she turned and headed back to her bungalow at a run.  Donovan slowed as she reached the path, uncertainty clenching her guts almost painfully.  She wanted so badly for this to have worked that she could almost taste it on the back of her tongue.  Hesitatingly she took the stone steps and gradually eased the door open.

She squeezed her eyes shut and took a deep breath then stepped across the threshold.

************

Hannah twitched at the tickling sensation on her nose and swatted at it half-heartedly in hopes it would go away.  She rolled over towards the back of the couch mumbling incoherently.  The tickly feeling followed only it transferred its attentions to her now exposed ear.  The warm air caused her to shiver, but the nip caused her eyes to pop open.

Hannah swung around swiftly, nearly clocking Donovan in the face with her head.  Donovan snapped upright, keeping her hands lightly on Hannah’s shoulders.  Hannah looked hard at her, then gently raised her own hands to tenderly trace the planes of the now flesh and blood face before her.

“It...” she squeaked, then stopped to clear her throat.  “It worked?” she whispered, not needing an answer as she continued to touch Donovan but getting one just the same.

“It worked,” Donovan grinned, leaning down to kiss Hannah again.  She could very easily get used to this and knew without a doubt that she coveted the feeling for eternity.

Hannah responded enthusiastically, wrapping her hands in Donovan’s dark hair and pulling her closer still.  After a long moment, she released Donovan’s lips but not her head and she touched their foreheads together.  “Let’s not lose this anymore,” she instructed softly.  “The dreamscape is nice, but it so pales in comparison to the real thing.”

“I concur, Angel.  What is our next step?”

Hannah loosened her hold with one hand and leaned back slightly to scratch her jaw.  “I think we should try a practical test.”

“Such as?”

“I’d like to take you inside Jack’s house.  Wait...” she added holding up a hand to forestall the argument she could see coming.  “A controlled test... one where I control what you see.”  She chuckled at Donovan’s raised eyebrow.  “Trust me.”

“I do,” Donovan answered immediately.  “Implicitly.”

Hannah kissed Donovan on the end of her nose.  “Good, because I do you too.”

Donovan got up and lit the few candles in the room and they sat for some time cuddling and just basking in one another’s company.  Finally Hannah looked up at Donovan’s profile from where her head rested on the Captain’s shoulder and sighed.  “I don’t want to, but I need to get back.  There are some preparations I need to make before you arrive.”

Donovan brushed a kiss on Hannah’s forehead and sighed, releasing her and standing beside her.  “I will walk you home.”

“Only partway,” Hannah cautioned.  “I haven’t explained everything yet, and I don’t want to take any chances on losing you through that doorway again.”

Donovan nodded her acceptance.  “Very well.”  She took Hannah’s hand, and the two made their way up the beach back to Jack’s place.

Just before they reached the pathway, Hannah turned and Donovan took her in her arms.  “I love you, Hannah.  I will see you tomorrow.”

Hannah wound her arms around Donovan’s neck and lowered her lips down to meet Hannah’s own.  “I love you, Donovan, and you will see me in our dreams.”

Donovan captured Hannah’s lips, and they took long minutes to leisurely explore one another.  When they separated, breathing sporadically, Donovan smiled and gently pushed away from Hannah.  “Good night, Beloved.”

Hannah walked backwards slowly away from Donovan.  “Happy dreams, my love,” she said before turning and making her way up the darkened pathway.  Donovan watched until she passed from view, then spun on her heel and raced for home.  She had a lot to look forward to.


Chapter XIV

Hannah awoke refreshed with a smile on her face.  She and Donovan had spent the night cuddled together sleeping for the most part.  It was a rather peculiar phenomenon.  Since they had finally met one another face to face, it seemed easier to actually sleep together.  Not that they couldn’t do other things as well as they still did.  But it was comforting to finally have the peace of sleeping in one another’s arms, knowing that reality couldn’t take them away from each other.  Hannah was confident that today would bring about Donovan’s bodily return to her.

She got up and went to the kitchen, surprised to see Jack inside instead of out for his morning swim.  He chuckled when he saw her for two reasons.  The first is she reminded him very much of the wild-haired, wide-eyed little niece he recalled fondly.  The second was the look of sheer confusion as she tried to figure out why he was there.  It was apparent she wasn’t quite awake yet.

“Uncle Jack?”

“Haven’t looked out the window this morning, hmm, Hannah?”

Hannah took a minute to process his words before glance around and noting for the first time just how dark it was outside.  She continued to gaze outside for a moment longer before her eyes widened in realization.

“Wow!  That’s quite a storm!  Where’d it come from?  And isn’t it pretty sudden?”

“There’s a story there.  You want some coffee before I tell it?”

Hannah extended her arm vein up, indicating her need for a direct injection.  Jack laughed again and handed her a double sized mug. 

“Here,” he said putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her to the couch.  “I think you need to be sitting for this even with that double espresso in your cup.

He let Hannah take several sips as they both stared out the glass doors into the fury of the storm.  Finally, she ran her hands through her hair and set her cup on the table and turned towards him.  “Okay, Uncle Jack.  I think I am almost coherent now.  What’s the scoop?”

“You want the facts first or just the theory?” he asked, scrubbing his own short hair.

“Facts first, then theory.  I wanna see if you’re thinking what I am.”

“All right,” Jack said and rose from his place on the couch to pace.  “The fact is that a lot of the weird weather patterns around here are directly related to Donovan’s comings and goings.  By everything I have been able to piece together, the storms come when the two of you connect or she crosses into our time.”

“So you think she has crossed again?” Hannah asked hopefully.

Jack shook his head, hating to see the slumped shoulders and dulled eyes his response garnered.  “No, not this time.  This storm is different, both in origin and intensity.  Were I to hazard a guess, I would say that she is trying to open the door.”

“This storm is stronger, fiercer than most she has caused, isn’t it?”  Jack nodded an affirmative.  “Do you have a theory on why?”  He nodded again but still didn’t speak.  “Would you care to share?” a little curtly.  Jack started as though coming out of deep thought.

“Sorry.  Got to thinking there.  I think the difference is that she actually has to open the door this time.  She has to accept on faith that crossing the boundary means crossing out of her world and into the relative unknown of yours.  It’s a huge step.”

“I’m not sure I follow you, Uncle Jack.”

He rubbed his hands over his face and through his hair before sighing.  “Let me see if I can explain it a little more clearly.  When you and Donovan crossed over before, it wasn’t a problem because you were neither one aware that there was a big time difference between you.  Even when you realized that she was from the past, it was easier for you to accept because you have read and studied the past and can believe what your senses are telling you about the reality of that time and place.”

“I know all of that Uncle Jack.  What does that have to do with the storm, the portal, and Donovan getting back to me??”  Hannah’s frustration came through her tone of voice plainly.

“Donovan is fully cognizant of the portal and the time barrier between the two of you now.  I think the storm is her struggle to allow the truth of her knowledge to become her reality.  She has faith in you.  She just needs to believe in herself and cross over.”

Hannah’s eyes widened in understanding.  “I need to go,” and she was out the door without shoes, a shower or an umbrella. 

She made it down the path and partway down the beach before she slowed.  “What am I doing?” she asked herself out loud.  “She has to come to me.  It is the only way this will work.  I have to go prepare things for her arrival ‘cause I know she will make it back to me.”  She looked around at the storm and raised her voice.  “You hear me, Donovan??  I believe in you!!”

Then she turned and ran back to Jack’s without a backwards glance.

************

Donovan woke with a start, the ferocity of the storm outside her windows a perfect reflection of the turmoil that stirred in her mind.  She understood what Hannah had said and even accepted the fact that it was true, but getting her mind wrapped around it was something all together different.  It gave her a terrible headache every time she tried to imagine existing more than a hundred years into her own future.

She shook her head violently to try and clear all conscious thought from her mind and rose to start the water heating.  She wanted a warm bath and a cup of hot tea before she walked down the beach to find Hannah.

************

Hannah pushed her sodden hair out of her eyes as she carefully mounted the step.  Jack handed her a towel without a word and waited for her to drop the cloth around her shoulders before putting a mug of something steaming into her hands.

She sipped the sweet coffee gratefully, soaked to the bone by her recent excursion through the rain, and thoroughly chilled by the air that was on in the house.

“Quick trip,” Jack commented.

“Yeah, it occurred to me that I can’t do anything except believe in her. She has to get here on her own.”

“Uh huh.”

“So in the meantime, after my shower I’m going to prepare things here for her introduction to my world.”

“You’re so certain she will overcome her own disbelief then?” Jack asked, knowing that speaking it aloud would help Hannah confirm it in her own mind.

“Y... y...yes!” she answered vehemently, then clamped her jaws together to keep her teeth from chattering.   She shivered and sneezed. 

“All right.  That’s just about enough of that.  This is no time for you to get sick, young lady,” Jack said sternly.  “Let’s go get you into a hot shower.”

Hannah nodded.  “S... s...sounds like a p...plan.  Even if...f...f it t...t...takes he...her a d...day or t...two, I wa...wanna b...be r...read... ready f...for her.”

By this time they were in the bathroom, and Jack turned on the water to warm it up.  “You get undressed and get in that shower, Honey.  Then we’ll see what we can do to make things ready for Donovan.  I’ll be in the office if you need anything.”  Then he closed the door behind him without another word.

Hannah stepped into the warmth of the shower and sighed in relief. 

************

The next two days there were furious storms and Hannah was grateful to Jack for both his help and support.  They worked feverishly to hide as much of the modernity of the house as they could manage.  Jack built cabinet doors to hide the television and the refrigerator.  Hannah put away all the lamps and small appliances.

She knew there was nothing she could do about the glass or the plumbing though she was glad that Jack’s window treatments were a cotton material, and his furniture tended towards wood and leather much like Donovan’s did.

They decided to keep the study locked so Donovan couldn’t stumble into technology her mind was not ready to understand.  Hannah planned to introduce her to life in the twenty-first century very slowly because being without her was just not acceptable.  She had no intention of allowing another separation like this one again if it were in her power to prevent it.

The third evening of storms found Jack and Hannah sitting together in the living room staring silently at the fire.  They’d finished up their preparations earlier that morning, and there was still no sign of Donovan.  In fact the storm had grown exponentially with each passing hour to the point that Hannah feared they were sitting in the middle of a stationary hurricane.  She mentioned the possibility to Jack.

“I dunno, Hannah.  I wonder if my presence here is making it harder for her and her frustration is making itself known in the storm.  I’m gonna try something.  Tomorrow morning, I’m gonna go into town.  Maybe that will clear the way for her to make it through the door.”

“You think it will help, Uncle Jack?”

“I think it can’t hurt at this point.  We only have three days until the Pirate’s Ball.  I am almost certain she crosses then, but I think for her to be able to function in our time, she has got to be able to control her destiny as it were.  She has to consciously be able to cross back and forth like you did.”

“And you think your being here hinders that somehow?”

“I think the fewer obstacles in her way the better, at least until she gets a handle on things.”

“What if she can’t, Uncle Jack?  What if she can’t cross the barrier?  I haven’t seen her in my dreams the last two nights.”

Jack sat thoughtfully for a time after that.  “It could very well be she is afraid of failure, Hannah and doesn’t want to see you until she can overcome what she perceives as her own breakdown in belief.  It could be that she is just so exhausted mentally trying to overcome this barrier that she is sleeping too deeply to hear you.  Whatever the reason, you have to decide whether or not you are willing to give everything up to be with her if she cannot come to you.”

“I am, Uncle Jack.  I told her I was.  But she has to open the door.”

Jack opened his mouth to say something, then stopped and patted her thigh.  “Well, we’ll try this tomorrow and see if it makes a difference.  At the very least, I will get ice cream out of it.”  His eyes twinkled and he was glad to see the responding twinkle in hers. It had been a few days.

She chuckled.  “Uh huh.  I shoulda known there was a motive behind that.”

“You betcha,” he replied lightly.  “And if you are good, I may even bring home some for you and Donovan to share.”

“Introducing Donovan to the delights of ice cream, hmm?  I think I could learn to enjoy that rather quickly,” Hannah said saucily though she couldn’t stop the blush that ran up her face.

Jack laughed though he couldn’t hide his blush either.  “And on that note... I am going to bed.”  He stood then leaned down and kissed Hannah on the cheek.  “Goodnight, Little Hannah.  Happy dreams.”

“Goodnight, Uncle Jack.”

She banked the fire and went to her own room, hoping beyond hope to find Donovan in her dreams.

************

“Donovan?”

“Hannah?”  Donovan looked around in the darkness.  “Hannah, Beloved, where are you?”

“I’m right here with you Donovan.  Listen to the sound of my voice.  Can you see me?”

“No.  It is so dark here.  I cannot see anything.  I feel like I have lost you... like I am all alone.”

The absolute despair in Donovan’s voice made Hannah want to cry, but she steeled her resolve and focused her entire being on believing in Donovan... believing in *them*.

“You’re not all alone, love.  I’m right here with you, just like I have always been.  You just need to believe, Donovan.  I won’t let anything happen to you.  You have to have faith in me... in us.”

Donovan’s dream self closed her eyes, and she focused solely on the sound of Hannah’s voice.  Hannah continued speaking in soft even tones until Donovan felt herself relaxing into Hannah’s warm embrace.  When welcoming solid arms closed around her, Donovan opened her eyes to see Hannah’s smiling face looking back at her.

Without speaking, she tilted her head up and captured the ardent lips just above hers.   For a long moment, she simply reveled in the sensation of them being together once more.  Then she pulled away and lifted a hand to tenderly trace Hannah’s features.  Hannah’s eyes fluttered closed involuntarily and she just let herself feel. 

Finally Donovan wove her fingers into blonde locks and she pulled Hannah’s lips down to a mere hairsbreadth of her own.  “I missed you.  I am sorry I....”

“Shh,” Hannah whispered, covering Donovan’s soft lips with her fingertips.  “It’s all right, Donovan.  I know it’s hard.”  She removed her fingers and planted a kiss on Donovan’s mouth, then pulled back before Donovan could deepen it. 

“I want you to try something tomorrow.”  She waited until the dark head nodded a tentative agreement.  “I want you not to worry about crossing the barrier or opening the portal or stepping into the future, okay?  I want you to focus solely on coming home to me.  I want you to picture us together in the same time and place.  Can you do that?”

Donovan thought seriously about Hannah’s request, and about how much sense it really made.  “I can do that if you will do something for me.”

“Anything, Love.  You know that.”

“Focus all your thoughts on me.  Give me a path to follow that will lead my heart to yours.”

“It’s already there, Donovan.  You just have to follow it home.”

Donovan smiled.  “I love you, you know.”

“I know.  I love you, too.  Now rest and I will see you in the morning.”

************

Hannah woke to the sounds of birds and the glint of sunshine in her eyes.  She smiled when she realized the storm had finally passed and she jumped out of bed.  It boded well for the day.  She took a quick shower and dressed in a native sarong and halter top.  She felt confident that she would bring Donovan into her world today.

Hannah opened the house wide and let the summer breeze blow through, enjoying the tang of the sea she could smell.  She grabbed two apples and two bananas, and she made her way down the steps and on the path towards the beach with a bounce in her walk.  She could hardly contain the happiness she felt.  Her optimism was bubbling over this morning.  She could believe enough for them both.

When she got to the end of the path, her breath caught.  There just to the east of the opening stood Donovan, digging her toe in the sand for all the world like a five-year-old caught with her hand in the proverbial cookie jar.  Hannah for her part, simply squealed with delight and launched herself into Donovan’s unsuspecting but very willing arms.

Hannah leaned down and kissed Donovan thoroughly who proceeded to spin them around when they broke for air.  Hannah laughed out loud at Donovan’s exuberance.  “I knew you could do it, Love.  I knew you’d make it today!”

Donovan gently deposited Hannah back on the sand and cupped her face tenderly in her hands.  “That faith is why I made it, Angel.  Never stop believing in me... in us.”

“Oh, I think you can count on that, Sweetheart.  I’m in this for the long haul.”  She bent down to retrieve the fruit she’d dropped upon seeing Donovan standing there waiting for her and missed the look of utter adoration that passed over Donovan’s face.  “Here,” Hannah added.  “Breakfast.”

Donovan accepted the fruit and dropped into the sand, content to sit with Hannah forever.  Hannah sat down a little more carefully, not wanting sand in the wrong places especially this early in the morning.  She and Donovan had a lot of lost time to make up for, and there was just so much she needed to bring Donovan up to speed on concerning the modern world.  She shook her head to clear it.  She could get depressed just thinking about it if she let herself think too hard.  She would do what she could with the time she had and work from there.  She couldn’t believe a little bitty thing like time would keep them apart as hard as they’d struggled to find one another across it.

Donovan had been gazing out at the horizon much as Hannah had been until she heard the blonde woman muttering to herself.  With an amused quirk of lips, she turned her head and asked softly, “Something you would like to share, or should I guess why you are mumbling under your breath and shaking your head at me?”

Hannah blushed prettily and Donovan laughed out loud.  Hannah lightly slapped a linen covered leg.  “Be nice to me, Cap’n.”

“Or what?” came the teasing reply.  “What is a comely little wench like you going to do to the likes of me?  Hmm?”

Hannah reached out and grabbed Donovan by a very sensitive part of her anatomy, causing her to gasp in surprised pleasure.  Using said anatomical leverage, Hannah pulled Donovan closer to her til their lips were just touching and she could easily see the darkening of desire in the blue orbs so close to hers.  She grinned evilly.

“I won’t do a damned thing, Cap’n.  Just keep that in mind.”  She released the nipple she’d been pinching and gently pushed Donovan away from her.  She stood and brushed the sand off her butt.  “You coming?”

Donovan had fallen onto her back trying to catch her breath from the fire Hannah had started with a mere touch.  She looked up and saw the very devil peeking back at her from Hannah’s green eyes and leapt to her feet.  She caught Hannah round the waist and started an assault on her neck that ended with a bright purple mark on Hannah’s pulse point.  She allowed Hannah to guide her head up until their lips met for a long moment.

“Damn, Woman!  What I let you do to me.  What you do to me whether I let you or not,” Donovan growled in frustration.  “You are so lucky I love you.”

“Oh, Donovan.  That I’ve always known.  No one is as lucky as I am.”

Donovan had no answer to make except to kiss Hannah again, gently pouring forth the love she felt until Hannah felt herself surrounded by that love.

“I love you too, Donovan,” she said as they parted.  “Now let me introduce you to my world.”  She took a silk blindfold from the halter top where she’d tucked it next to her breast.  Donovan’s eyebrow went up, but she didn’t comment on the blush that covered Hannah’s features so vividly.  She reached up, then changed her mind.  “Kneel for me, sweetheart.” 

Donovan complied, and Hannah secured the blindfold around Donovan’s face, ensuring she couldn’t see anything.  Hannah walked around to stand in front of Donovan, and took the large hand in her smaller one.  “C’mon, love.  Trust me to get you home safely.”

“I do, Hannah.”

************

It was slow going as Hannah was extra vigilant to ensure that Donovan didn’t misstep or trip on anything.  Once they were inside the house, Hannah led Donovan into the bathroom.  Donovan already had rudimentary knowledge of plumbing so she figured she would be safe enough starting there.  She seated Donovan on the edge of the Jacuzzi tub since that put them almost on an even level, then she removed the blindfold and held her breath.

Donovan kept her eyes closed when the blindfold slipped off, allowing her other senses to adjust to her new surroundings.  Her nose twitched as it was assaulted by numerous scents she was unable to readily identify.  Her ears heard silence, then something beyond it.  There was an odd echo she didn’t recognize, and she sat still with her eyes closed a moment longer.  The soft touch of Hannah’s hand on her arm made her smile, and the concern she radiated made her grin even wider.

“Donovan?”

Donovan knew no harm would befall here with Hannah there, and she slowly blinked her eyes open.  She allowed herself to focus on Hannah until her breathing slowed and she felt calm return.  She hadn’t realized how scared she was of disappearing again until she felt her heart rate physically slow. 

Hannah slowly ran her hands up and down Donovan’s arms until she felt the pulse underneath her fingertips slow and steady.  “You all right there, Love?”

Donovan nodded.  “Yes.  I was just afraid....”  She stopped, unable to articulate further, but knowing Hannah would understand.

“I know, Baby.  So was I.  I’m glad you’re still here with me.”

“Myself as well.”

Slowly Donovan took her eyes off of Hannah’s and permitted herself to look around the room more thoroughly.  The first thing she noticed was a huge mirror whose clarity she’d never seen equaled before in all of her travels.  She turned Hannah gently around to face it and pulled the smaller woman’s body into hers, wrapping her arms around Hannah’s middle and resting her chin on Hannah’s shoulder.

They gazed at each other in the glass for what seemed like ever before Donovan whispered, “Wow!”

Hannah lightly squeezed the arms embracing her.  “We make a beautiful couple, don’t we?”

For answer Donovan stood and brought Hannah with her, then shuffled them to the vanity so she could reach out and touch the smooth surface.  Donovan brought her hand back to Hannah’s face, and watched Hannah’s reactions in the mirror.  She smiled when Hannah closed her eyes to enjoy the sensations.  Donovan leaned down and blew lightly in Hannah’s ear, smiling at the trail of goosebumps that popped up.

“Yes,” she finally answered.  “We make a very beautiful couple.”

Slowly Hannah opened her eyes and smiled.  “Glad you think so.”

“I do.  I have never seen myself so clearly.  How do they do that?”  Donovan released Hannah to creep around to the side of the mirror and try to see the back.  Hannah laughed and pulled her away from the glass.

“I don’t know, Love.  We just buy it that way.”

Donovan looked back at her amazed. “Astounding. What wonderful craftsmanship.”

Hannah didn’t know how to respond to this enthusiasm for a mirror so she simply nodded her agreement and took Donovan’s hand.  She reseated her on the ledge of the Jacuzzi and stepped back to the center of the room.  Donovan waited patiently for Hannah to speak.

“I thought we’d begin your initiation into the twenty-first century here since you already have more than a basic understanding of modern plumbing.  It has a toilet,” pointing as she went around the room. “A bathtub,” not bothering to explain what a Jacuzzi was just yet.  “A shower and the vanity area with two sinks.  There is hot and cold running water and electricity which you’ve read about.”  Donovan’s head nodded, her eyes wide with wonder and excitement.  “We’re not going to get into the electricity and stuff today so please don’t touch these,” Hannah asked, indicating the switches on the walls, “but if you want to look around in here and see how things work, please feel free.  I’ll answer any questions I can though I will tell you that my plumbing knowledge is nil.”

Donovan was up like a shot wandering around the room several times just looking.  She glanced back at Hannah who nodded.  “It’s okay to touch, Donovan.  I know you want to understand how it works.”  Donovan’s smile was big enough to light up the room, and reminded Hannah of a child who’d been granted their greatest Christmas wish.

For hours they stayed in the bathroom while Donovan investigated every nook and cranny to see how things worked.  Finally she leaned back with a satisfied smile.  “I think I can do this.  I think I can make some of this work at the cottage.”

Hannah smiled when Donovan cupped her face.  “Thank you, Hannah,” Donovan whispered.  “Thank you for taking a chance with me and for showing me all this.”

“It was my pleasure, Love, though I have to say I have never seen anyone get so excited about plumbing before.”

Donovan chuckled.  “Well, it validates some ideas I have had.  And it gives me hope because I have been in your world for a while and nothing has happened to send me home.”

Just at that moment there was a knock on the bathroom door.  Hannah had heard Jack come back from town and wondered how long it would be before his curiosity overcame his good manners.  He’d lasted a lot longer than she’d expected, and she had to smile now at the timid knock.

Hannah looked at Donovan, whose head had snapped up at the first sound.  Donovan turned her eyes to Hannah, the question in them clear.  “It’s my Uncle Jack.  He has been pivotal in helping me, and he wants to meet you.”

Big blue eyes went round, and Donovan swallowed hard but nodded gamely.  It was only fair after all.  Hannah was going home to meet her folks even though Donovan wasn’t sure she was ready for her Mother.  Hannah patted Donovan’s leg.  “It’s okay, Honey.  He will like you for my sake, and then he will like you for yours.”  She smiled mischievously.  “Besides, he brought us ice cream.”

Donovan smiled at that pronouncement.  She’d had ice cream once a very long time ago, and remembered it fondly.  She wondered if it would live up to her memories and then promptly forgot to wonder as Jack crossed the threshold and into the bathroom.

************

The ice cream was really good and Donovan savored every single bite.  Jack was kind and didn’t interrupt her enjoyment with questions.  Instead the three sat back as comfortably as they could manage in the bathroom and ate their ice cream in peace.

When they were done, Hannah excused herself to take the utensils back to the kitchen.  She knew Jack wanted a word with Donovan, and the look she and Donovan had shared conveyed that Donovan was eager to get it over with.

So she took her time and rinsed things off before making her way back into the bathroom.  The two of them were in a deep discussion, having bonded over, of all things, plumbing.  Jack was giving Donovan some pointers on adjustments she could make to be able to use some of the conveniences he had in his home with things that were available in her time.  Hannah just stood in the doorway with her hands on her hips shaking her head.  She chuckled and Donovan rose and pulled her into the room.  Then talk turned more personal.

“I promised Hannah she could be here when I grilled you, Donovan.”  Donovan nodded her head as though she’d expected this.  Jack smiled at them both, easily seeing the love between them, then he focused his attention back on Donavan.  “I would like to know your intentions towards my niece, Donovan, and your feelings for her.  She is all the family I have left and I want to know if you can be trusted to protect something so precious.”

“Uncle Jack!”  Hannah didn’t know if she was more embarrassed or upset.  Donovan twined their fingers together and patted her arm gently.

“It is all right, Angel.  He has every right.  And the truth is, I would be just as harsh were I in his shoes.”  She turned her attention back to Jack.  “It is my intention to love, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, til death do us part.”  Hannah’s eyes grew wide as she recognized the marriage vows that Donovan was repeating, and she almost missed the rest of what Donovan had to say.  “As for what I feel for her... I cannot tell you, Jack.  There are not words in my vocabulary to cover what it is that I feel.  I love her, certainly with all that I am and all that I have, but even that does not begin to cover what she is to me or what I feel for her.”

Jack nodded his understanding and opened his arms to Donovan.  “Welcome to the family, my dear.”

She smiled and accepted his hug, then turned and pulled Hannah into the embrace as well.  The talk turned to other things.

************

As darkness came, Donovan rose and readied herself to go back to the cottage.  Jack gave her another brief hug.  “I look forward to the day you can stay without fear of being sent away from us.”

Donovan looked at Hannah and nodded.  “Myself as well, Jack.  I will hope for it to be one day very soon.”  Hannah blushed and Donovan grinned.  “My blindfold, Madam.  I must make my way home until tomorrow.”

Jack’s eyes grew round as he saw Hannah reach into her halter top for it, and he quickly scooted out of the room.  Donovan simply snatched it and greedily sucked in the scent, watching Hannah’s blush deepen further with a smile.  She handed it back and seated herself on the tub ledge, waiting patiently for Hannah to tie it around her eyes.  A loud, low rumble startled her, and she pulled back.

Hannah chuckled.  “We forgot to eat.  I’m kinda hungry.”

As if on cue Donovan’s stomach growled.  “It seems I am as well.”

Hannah nodded.  “I’ll see if I can find us something to snack on during the walk back.”  She retied the blindfold and led Donovan through the house.  She seated her on the porch with the command, “Wait here.”  Hannah went back into the house and grabbed some fruit from the counter.  Then she went back out through the glass door and took Donovan’s hand, not releasing it until they were off the path and on the beach headed toward the cottage.  Then she untied the blindfold and pulled Donovan down to sit beside her in almost the exact spot they’d shared breakfast in.

“Today was a good day, huh?”

Donovan nodded, taking a huge bite of her pear.  “Yes it was, but my days are always good when we are together.  Tomorrow will be better because it brings us one step closer to being together without fear of time separating us.”  They sat together quietly then, sharing their fruit and watching the sun sink below the horizon.  Finally it grew fully dark and Donovan stood, reaching a hand out to help Hannah stand.  “I need to go, but I will see you in our dreams?”

Hannah nodded.  “Absolutely, Love.”  She pulled Donovan’s head to her for an extended kiss.  “I love you, Donovan.”

“And I love you, Hannah.  Always.”

They kissed again before reluctantly parting, and Donovan began walking backwards towards her cottage.  Hannah watched until she was out of sight, then turned and went back into Jack’s house.  It had been a good day, but she was exhausted.  She was looking forward to sharing her dreams with Donovan in their safe haven.


Chapter XV

“Hannah?”  Donovan looked around the bathroom, wondering why her dreams had brought her into Hannah’s world.  She recognized everything easily now and smiled as she thought of the improvements she could make on her own bathing room at the cottage.  She wished she could figure out a way to have hot running water, but....  The bathroom door opened and Hannah stepped through, a puzzled look on her face.  She smiled when she saw Donovan standing there, then walked straight into her arms and gave her a hug.

“Donovan?  What are we doing here?”

Donovan shrugged broad shoulders, absorbing the hug greedily.  Though they now had personal contact, she had long ago learned to treasure these moments with Hannah and she did so now with relish.

“I do not know, Hannah.  I was hoping you could tell me.”

Hannah took Donovan’s hand and led her back to the edge of the Jacuzzi, seating her before standing between Donovan’s slightly parted legs.  She rested her forearms on Donovan’s shoulders and loosely clasped her hands together behind the strong neck.  Then Hannah leaned down and touched her forehead to Donovan’s.

“I can give you my theory.”  The dark head nodded and Hannah continued speaking.  “I think our minds are probably on overload.  There is so much for me to show you... so much you need to learn before you can truly come into my world.  Our dreams are just a reflection of that.”

Donovan laid her head down on Hannah’s chest, hungrily soaking in the scent and warmth that surrounded her.   “Will you be offended if I do not want the necessity of reality to intrude on our dreams?”

Hannah withdrew slightly... just enough so she could gaze into Donovan’s eyes.  “I’m not sure I understand what you are asking, Donovan.”

Donovan released a sigh.  “I know I have a lot to understand about your world, and I do not begrudge spending any time spent learning it together.  But I have spent years cherishing the rare time we have together here, and even though we are obviously able to connect here more often since we... well, since we have actually physically met. I just do not want to give it up.”

“I understand, Donovan.  This is our special private place.” 

Donovan nodded her head vehemently.  “Yes, I want it to stay that way.”

Hannah smiled.  It was one of the few times Donovan had reminded her of a petulant five-year-old child.  She had to acknowledge the truth of the words though.  She herself resented greatly that reality was choosing to intrude on the one place she had always found an escape.

“Close your eyes, Donovan.  Close your eyes and picture us in the meadow.  Picture us in the meadow by that tree... you know the one....”  Hannah closed her eyes as well and imagined.  “Listen to the stream trickle.  Do you hear it?  And the breeze... can you smell the salt tang?” 

Donovan actually felt the breeze blow across her skin and sighed in contentment.  She was glad to be in love with a writer, especially one who could paint such vivid pictures with her words.  Donovan kept her eyes closed, listening with satisfaction to the portrait Hannah was bringing to life in her mind.

Finally Hannah leaned down and whispered in Donovan’s ear.  “Open your eyes, Love.”

Donovan did so slowly, blinking rapidly as sunlight greeted her gaze.  She found herself at the base of the old oak with Hannah wrapped comfortably in her arms.  She looked down into smiling green eyes.

“Thank you,“ she said, her voice soft and sincere.

“It was my pleasure, Love.  We have plenty of time, and this is our sanctuary.  We can work on your education while we travel to your home.  I promised to meet your folks, right?”  Donovan nodded.  “And it is quite a long voyage home and back again, correct?”  Donovan nodded again.  “So we will save our work for some of our waking hours and our dreams for us.  Agreed?”  Donovan didn’t nod this time, but leaned down and captured a pair of willing lips in a passionate kiss for her answer.

Hannah broke away breathless and patted the chest beneath her for good measure.  “I’ll take that as a yes,” she added smiling.  Then she rested her head back over Donovan’s heartbeat and let the sound carry her into a deep peaceful oblivion.  Donovan listened to the steady rise and fall of Hannah’s breathing, feeling her own slow to match it before she too, surrendered to sleep.

************

Donovan woke refreshed though slightly disoriented.  She was in her own bed wrapped tightly around a pillow that until she had awakened had felt like Hannah to her.  She frowned slightly, looking forward to the day when she could wake up with the real thing in her arms regularly.

Donavan stood and moved to the bathroom, noting with a critical eye all the things she wanted to do with the space now that she had the knowledge to do so.  She wondered though if she’d be able to find anything equivalent in her own time to do what she wanted to do.

She took care of her morning business, and set the tepid water to filling the bathtub, then she crossed into the kitchen to stoke the fire to heat the water for her tea.  She and Hannah had agreed that Hannah would try to cross through the portal this morning so she had time to prepare at her leisure.

A knock on her door startled her and she frowned.  It was just past sunrise, and only an extreme emergency would bring a member of her crew to the cottage, especially at this time of day.  Donovan ran her fingers through her unruly hair and walked to the door, opening it without preamble.  Then she wished sincerely she’d looked first.

Hannah stood in front of her, her face freshly scrubbed clean and her hair still wet from its washing.  She wore a red sarong and halter that had a delicate floral pattern woven into it.  Donovan smiled in appreciation, then frowned at her own rumpled appearance.

“I did not expect you quite so early,” she muttered not moving away from the door.  She was embarrassed at being caught unawares and the feeling made her a little off balance and testy.

The smile slid from Hannah’s face as Donovan made no move to welcome her inside.  “I’m sorry, Donovan.  I woke up early and was just so anxious to get to you that I didn’t stop to consider that you might not be ready for me to be here.”  She backed up a pace.  “I’ll, um... I’ll just go and....”

She didn’t get to finish as Donovan caught her by the arm and pulled Hannah into her.  “No.  I am sorry, Hannah.  I....”  She ran her free hand through her wild hair.  “I always want you here with me.  I just hoped to look a little more presentable before you got here is all.”

Hannah tipped her head back and wrapped her hands around Donovan’s neck.  “Donovan, Sweetheart.  I don’t expect you to be perfectly groomed all the time.  Hell, when I first saw you, you were all hot and sweaty from working on the roof as I recall.”  The timbre of her voice deepened and her eyes took on a darker color.  “I found it quite sexy actually.”

A dark brow rose.  “You did?”

“Uh huh.”  She gently urged Donovan’s head forward.  “And I think you’re pretty cute all sleep rumpled.” 

Donovan rested both hands on Hannah’s hips, and drew them together with a smile.  “You do?”

Hannah nodded again.  “Uh huh.  Donovan, love is not just about moonlight and roses, candlelight, picnics and walks on the beach.  Love is morning breath and messy hair and dirty dishes and laundry.  Love is sharing your everyday lives, good and bad, and wanting to be together anyway.”

“I know, and I know you love me.  I just wanted....”

Hannah kissed Donovan firmly.  “I know.  You go get cleaned up and primp, and I’ll fix us some tea.  How does that sound?”

“That sounds... HEY!  British sea captains do not primp!”

“No, but I’ll bet Donovan Scott the woman does now, doesn’t she?”  Donovan dropped her head and blushed, mumbling something unintelligible under her breath.  “I thought so.  G’wan now.  You’ll feel better, and I really need a cup of tea this morning.”

Donovan clasped Hannah’s hand in her larger one and led her into the cottage.  She walked Hannah to the kitchen and seated her. 

“Water should be boiling in a few minutes.  The tea leaves are here,” removing them from the cabinet, “and the mugs are....”  She stopped speaking when Hannah took her hand and walked her toward the bathroom door. 

“Take your bath, Donovan. I can find what I need to fix us tea.”

Donovan chuckled.  “You just want free reign in the kitchen.  Don’t think I can....”

Suddenly it occurred to Donovan that her bath water had been running for quite some time.  “Damnation!!” she exclaimed before rushing into the bathroom to shut the water off.  She skidded to a halt, turning off the water just before it crested over the lip of the tub.  “Dissinfrattinmudderblippin....” she muttered, knowing she’d have to empty the tub somewhat before being able to actually use it.

Hannah’s eyebrows rose at the first epithet, and she slowly followed Donovan into the room, watching with a smile as the other woman stopped the running water just in time.  She absolutely did not expect Donovan to peel her shirt of before reaching a hand carefully down to loosen the plug.  She stood staring, trying to remember to breathe as the muscles in Donovan’s back rippled with every movement of her body.

Hannah choked back a cry, causing Donovan to half-turn towards her to see where the sound came from.  She felt a rakish grin form as she saw the look of unveiled desire settle in Hannah’s eyes.  She turned so her back was once again towards the blonde woman.

“Do you like what you see Hannah?”  Donovan was well aware of the deepening of her voice and the fire in the green eyes on her back was burning a hole through her.  She didn’t hear Hannah’s footsteps as she crossed the room, but she felt her presence even before warm hands landed on her shoulders.  Donovan unconsciously leaned back into the firm touch.

“I love what I see, Donovan,” burring directly into the brunette’s ear and making a pleasant tingle run the length of her spine.  “I thought I already made that clear this morning.”  She absently rubbed her hands along the bare skin of Donovan’s back and arms, relishing the silky texture under her fingertips.

“You did,” Donovan managed to growl through clenched teeth.  It was taking all she could do not to simply turn around and....

Hannah leaned down and kissed the juncture of her neck and shoulders.  “Get your bath, Love,” she whispered.  “I’ll be in the kitchen when you get done.”

Donovan didn’t see the agonized look on Hannah’s face as the smaller woman pulled away from her.  She merely sat with unfocused eyes staring at the slowly draining water trying to regain her equilibrium.  “My God, that woman is going to kill me one day but what a way to die.”

She grinned fiercely then, feeling cherished and surrounded by Hannah’s love.  No one had ever made her feel as cared for as Hannah did with her words or her touch, and the look in her eyes....  Donovan sincerely believed Hannah had the most expressive eyes she had ever encountered, not knowing that her own did the very same thing to Hannah.

She stripped quickly and stuck the plug back into the tub now that the water level had dropped sufficiently to allow her to sit down without sloshing water onto the floor.  She picked up the soap and a washcloth and began scrubbing vigorously.  It occurred to her to wonder if Hannah would come in and wash her back, then decided not to tempt fate.  Donovan was on sensory overload and figured that much tactile contact from Hannah would send her self-control spinning right off its axis.

She bathed hastily, grateful for the lovely cinnamon scent her mother had put into her soap.  For all the differences she and her mother had, this was one of the few ways she still felt her mother’s love for her.  Before she could slide into any maudlin thoughts, Donovan rose from the water and wrapped herself in a large towel and padded across the floor to her bedroom.

Hannah listened to the splashing coming from the other room as she investigated all the nooks and crannies of the kitchen.  In addition to the tealeaves, Hannah had also found Donovan’s small stash of eggs and some bread that she suspected Mama had made.

She set about hunting for a skillet that she found rather easily.  The cutting board was a little more difficult, and she finally gave it up as a lost cause, choosing to cut on a plate instead.  She found a knife and winced when she cut herself testing it for sharpness.

“Shoulda known it’d be sharp,” she muttered to herself, sticking her thumb in her mouth as she moved to the pump.  She primed it and started pumping, jumping back a bit when the water gushed instead of flowed.  She rinsed it in the water, surprised at its chill, then wrapped her thumb in the towel before dropping the tea leaves into the now boiling water.

She was discovering it was much harder to function in a non-electric kitchen than she’d imagined it would be and having her hand swathed in a towel only made it doubly so.  She set the skillet on the stove and grabbed the eggs from the counter.  Hannah broke them into a bowl and added salt, pepper and the smallest amount of water she could, then set about adding butter to the skillet.

It got hotter faster than she was ready for it to, and she jerked her hand from the handle that had gotten very hot.  The butter browned to the point of burned and without warning caught fire.  By this point, Hannah’s frustration was such that she didn’t know whether to freak, scream, cry, and without warning, the choice was taken away from her.

Donovan calmly crossed the threshold into the kitchen and took one look at the stove and another at Hannah’s shell-shocked demeanor.  She took a lid from where it hung and covered the fire.  Then she took a towel from the drawer beside the stove and moved the skillet to a cool spot on top of the iron surface.  Then Donovan moved the tea to a spot beside the skillet before the tea boiled over.

Without a word she took Hannah in her arms and gently eased her back into one of the two kitchen chairs, gently maneuvering the towel away from Hannah’s thumb.  Donovan winced reflexively at the gash that was still sluggishly bleeding, then looked up into green eyes.

“Oh, Beloved.  That has to hurt.  Let me get some supplies to take care of that.”

Donovan started to move and found herself held in place by Hannah’s strong grip.  Donovan cupped Hannah’s face and was shocked when Hannah latched on like she’d never let go, but she returned the hug in equal measure.

“All I wanted to do was fix a nice breakfast for the two of us,” she whispered.  “I didn’t realize I was courting disaster by trying to cook eggs and toast.”

Donovan kissed the blonde head and leaned back to look in Hannah’s eyes.  The forlorn expression on Hannah’s face made Donovan smile sadly and she leaned forward and nipped Hannah’s nose.  Hannah giggled in reflex and Donovan’s smile became happier, an expression that Hannah easily mimicked.

“I love you,” Hannah said.

“And I love you,” Donovan answered.  “I appreciate your wanting to prepare breakfast, but I should have told you about the stove.  It is somewhat particular.”

“Well, that and I really don’t have a clue what I am doing.  It is so different from what I am used to.”

“Is it really?”

“Yeah, the heat and the iron and... oh, just everything.”

Donovan took Hannah’s good hand in her own and led her back to the pump.  “I will tell you what,” she said as she began to run cold water over the sliced thumb, watching the bleeding slow.   She guided Hannah into her bedroom and seated her on the bed before going into the linen closet and taking out her medical supplies.  “Let me get you medicated and bandaged properly, then you can tell me more about the differences while we prepare breakfast together.”

Hannah sneezed twice when Donovan dusted her cut with medicinal herbs, then sucked in a deep breath when they started to burn and sting.  She bit her lip, waiting for Donovan to finish wrapping the cloth around her thumb.

“I should have warned you about the sharpness of the herbs, but that is what will help it heal quickly and properly.  I am sorry for the pain they are causing you.”

“Actually it’s not too bad once the initial sting goes away.  It was just something of a shock.”

Donovan smiled.  “I know.  I accidentally spilled too much into a cut once.  It made me dance around the kitchen.”

Hannah wiggled her eyebrows.  “I’d pay good money to see that.”

Donovan leaned forward and picked Hannah on the lips before allowing her own lips to curl into a rakish grin.  “Would you now?”

“Yep.”

“Well, there will be dancing at the Pirate’s Masquerade Ball tomorrow night. Will you dance with me then?”

“Every single dance if you’d like.”

“I would like.  And do not worry... I would be able to choose you out of a crowd of people in the dark anywhere.”

“Could you really?”

“Yes, it is part of the legend.”

“Legend?”  Hannah was beginning to feel like an echo of sorts, but the conversation was making her curious.  To say nothing of the tickling feeling it sent down her spine.

“Yes, and if you are very good, I will explain it all to you on our journey home.  We are leaving directly after the unmasking.”

“So quickly?  I... I’m not....”

“Is it a problem, Hannah?  We always leave after the ball.  The tide is with us then, and it is the natives’ way of giving us a farewell sendoff.”

They walked into the kitchen and Donovan picked up the mostly cooled skillet and dumped the burned butter just outside the back door.  Hannah picked up the offending knife again, and began to slice the bread onto the plate.  It was awkward, and the bread ended up in several different shapes and thicknesses, but Donovan let her work without comment.  She could see what helping out meant to Hannah, and she simply let her do what she felt she could.

Donovan cleaned up the skillet and placed it on a different spot on the stove, allowing it to heat more gradually.  She added the butter and let it melt before toasting the bread as evenly as she could manage.  She added more butter, then rapidly stirred in the eggs.  Soon, they were sitting down to a hot breakfast with tea that had been diluted with hot water.

“This is cozy,” Hannah commented with a smile.  “And you’re a good cook.”

“I do all right.  Not enough to make my mother happy, but enough that I do not poison myself either.”

“Tell me about your mother.”

“You tell me the differences in cooking between your time and mine, and I will tell you about my mother,” Donovan countered.  She knew she needed to share a few truths about her mother with Hannah, but she didn’t really want to bring that particular unpleasantness into her sanctuary.

Hannah read the hesitation in Donovan’s eyes and could see the latent pain that lurked behind that.  She wondered what it was all about, but respected Donovan’s need to reveal things in her own time.  Besides she knew Donovan was curious about the differences in their two worlds, and it was something she was going to need to understand.  So Hannah nodded her acceptance of the deal and began speaking.

************

“You mean to tell me you can control the fire... the temperature so perfectly that the fire never needs tending?  Things do not burn?”

Hannah had been patiently trying to explain how an electric oven worked.  She realized she’d started in the middle instead of at the beginning as far as Donovan’s understanding of the concept went.  So she decided a small science lesson was in order.  She took Donovan’s hand and led her to the study.

“Oh no... things still burn.  Humans being what we are, we tend to be forgetful or careless.  But they tend to burn less because of electricity.”

Donovan walked to a shelf and pulled out a couple books.  “I read about some experiments that were being done with that.  Do you mean to tell me...?”

“I mean that we have a lot of catch-up learning to do for the century or so between us.”

“Then let us get started.  I want to understand everything.”

************

It was almost dark before Hannah and Donovan stopped discussing electricity and its many varied uses.  Donovan was absolutely fascinated to know and understand that many of the things she had read about and imagined being possible really were part of everyday life in Hannah’s world. 

“That is simply amazing, Hannah.  Thank you for sharing all these things with me.”

“You’re welcome, Donovan.  Even if I didn’t think it was necessary, I think it would be fun to share this with you.  You have a very keen intellect.  We could probably have some great philosophical debates.”

Donovan’s eyes twinkled.  “Oh, I think we can find time for one or two of those on our voyage home.”

Hannah clasped Donovan’s hand as they made their way back to the kitchen.  “Then will you tell me about your mother?”

Donovan nodded solemnly.  “Yes.  It is not something I take a great deal of joy in discussing, but you deserve to know what you will be coming up against.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Yes,” came the stark reply.  “My mother loves me, but she is not very happy with me or the way I have chosen to live my life.  And I doubt she will contain her feelings because you are present.”  She didn’t add that Hannah’s presence was likely to make it worse, but it was the first thought that ran through Hannah’s mind.

“Would it be better for you if I don’t go home with you?” Hannah offered though the thought of being separated again was physically painful, and it took all Hannah could do to keep from doubling over at the suggestion.

Horrified blue eyes rose to meet green, and Hannah felt Donovan’s pain as keenly as her own.  “Please do not leave me alone again, Hannah.  I could not bear the separation.”

“Neither could I, Love.  I just thought....”

Long fingers covered Hannah’s lips and she stopped speaking.  “Do not think.  Just stay with me.  We can get through anything together.”

Before Hannah could answer a rumbling growl echoed in the stillness.  They looked at each other wide-eyed before looking down at their offending stomachs. When their eyes met again, they broke into chuckles.

“Guess we’d better feed the beasts, huh?” Hannah said.

“It certainly sounds like it, and then I will walk you home.  Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day.”

“Yeah, it is.  Will I see you at all before the ball?”

Donovan shook her dark head.  “We are actually not supposed to see one another until then.”  She began pulling out foodstuff to fix them a simple dinner.

Hannah’s brows scrunched up in thought.  “You aren’t escorting me then?”  She paused.  “Wait... this has something to do with the legend, doesn’t it?”  Donovan nodded, but said nothing.  “You’ll share all this with me on our trip home, won’t you?” Hannah asked.

“Yes.  Everything I know, I will tell you about.”

“All right then.  It’s probably just as well.”  She moved to set the table while Donovan pushed the water forward to heat for tea.  “I have a lot to do if we’re sailing tomorrow night.”

“Your clothes should be completed. I will pick them up from Satosh and have them stored on the ship until you arrive to take care of them.  Is the anything special you would like to have brought aboard?” scrambling to think of things she could afford to add to their small space that would make Hannah more comfortable for the extended voyage home. 

“Will I be sharing your quarters?”

“Yes.  I think it is the wisest course of action.  And I honestly want to keep you near me as much as possible.”

“It won’t cause you problems with your crew?”

“Not with most of them, and the few that might take issue with it, I can handle.”  Donovan blew out a breath as she moved dinner to the table.  “Most of my crew are well aware that I was searching for something out here.  The intuitive ones will understand I have found it.”

Happiness welled up in Hannah’s chest and blossomed across her face as they sat down to a quiet meal.  The silence was warm and comfortable and Hannah realized she could enjoy a lifetime of silence if shared in Donovan’s company.   After dinner they cleaned the few dishes and then headed out into the warm June night.  The stars were out and what there was of the moon was bright enough to light their way back toward Jack’s house.

“Donovan?” Hannah said softly so as not to disturb the peace of their surroundings.

“Hmm?” Donovan answered with a squeeze of the co-joined fingers.  “What are you thinking, Angel?” taking in the perplexed look on Hannah’s face.

“Tomorrow night, the lines here will be blurred won’t they?  Between past and present, I mean.  I mean people can cross from past to present and back, correct?”

“Not exactly.  My crew and I have noticed that we seem to wander between two distinct sets of people.  But no one else seems do that.”  She scrubbed her face with her free hand.  “The parties are very similar.  Held in the same place with many of the same foods and amenities.  Even the music is similarly done.  But there are two distinct sets of people who never mingle except with us.”

“But you can actually interact with people from my time without danger of us shutting the portal door, correct?”

“Yes.”  Donovan paused and thought.  “Why?”

Hannah smiled and pulled them to a stop just at the beginning of the pathway up to Jack’s place.  She put Donovan’s hands on her waist and wrapped her own around Donovan’s dark hair.  “Because I know Katie is gonna want to grill you.”

“Katie?”

“My very best friend growing up.  She and I are the ones I wrote the Trudy and Evan stories about.  She was supposed to get here earlier this week, but the storm kept her and her new husband Frank away.  Jack was going to pick them up this afternoon and bring them over.”

“Why does Katie want to grill me?”  Hannah could hear the hesitation in Donovan’s voice as though she didn’t quite understand what she was asking.

“It means she wants to interrogate you, Love.  She wants to ask you all sorts of questions to insure that you are right for me.”

“Is that not Jack’s place?”  Not angrily, but honestly confused.

“Yes, but Katie feels it is her place as well.  She is as close to a sister as I ever had, and we’ve looked out for each other since we were practically born.”

“Did you tell her about us?”

“Yes, but not for a very long time.  Not until after we became dream lovers.  She knew I was waiting for someone special though.  She knew I was waiting for Blue Eyes.”

Donovan smiled.  “Very well.  I will be sure to meet this Katie so she can... grill me.  Now kiss me, and I will go and tend to work so that we will be prepared to cast off tomorrow night.”

Hannah did so willingly, and the kiss went on for several long moments before they broke off and Donovan pulled Hannah in for a firm hug.

“I cannot tell you how excited I am about our coming voyage.  For the first time I look forward to going home, knowing that this time you are going home with me.  I do not leave you or the chance of finding you behind.  Thank you for coming to me, Hannah Reilly.  I love you with all my heart.”

“Thank you for continuing to search for me, Donovan Scott.  I love you beyond forever.”

They kissed again, then Donovan reluctantly released Hannah and motioned her towards the path.  “Go Beloved, before I simply sweep you up and carry you home with me.”

Hannah hesitated.  “Don’t tempt me like that, Donovan.  I know I need to go inside and spend a bit of time with Katie, but you aren’t making it easier.”

“Go, Hannah... after tomorrow, we will have a lifetime together.”

“And beyond, Love.”  But the words were the impetus she needed to spur her on her way, and she turned and walked briskly up the path to Jack’s place.

Donovan watched until she was out of sight, then turned and headed back down the beach at a jog.  Her mind was already turning over the things she needed to do on the morrow, and she picked up her pace as happiness for the future bubbled over.  This was one Pirate’s Masquerade she was looking forward to attending.


Chapter XVI

Hannah crossed the threshold and was immediately engulfed in a squealing hug and surrounded by rolling male laughter.  She held on to Katie for dear life until the squealing became a gentle rocking motion and Katie was muttering soothing phrases in her ears.  Finally Hannah and Katie pulled away from one another.

“Love becomes you, my dear, but why the tears?"  Hannah shook her head, unable to articulate the surge of emotion that had flowed through her at her best friend’s embrace.  Katie held Hannah’s chin in her hand, and tenderly wiped away the traces of tears.  “We’ll talk alone later, okay?”

Hannah nodded and turned to Katie’s husband Frank, whom she considered to be another dear friend.  He picked her up and squeezed, spinning her in a circle until she was beating him on the shoulder to get him to stop.  “FRANK!!!  I’m gonna throw up all over you if you don’t stop making the room spin!!”

Frank laughed but stopped spinning.  He hugged Hannah hard but briefly, then smiled down at her.  “How are ya, Little Hannah?”

She punched him in the arm and glared.  “Ya know... you are about the only person our age I know who calls me that any more.”

He rubbed his shoulder and pouted.  “I’m the only one willing to risk getting punched.  Ow.”  He turned to Katie and held out his arm.  “Honey... Hannah punched me.”  He opened big wide puppy dog eyes at her and Katie snorted.

“Don’t look at me for sympathy, Bub.  I learned not to call her that a LONG time ago.”

Frank turned amazed eyes to Jack who held up his hands as if to stay out of the whole conversation.  “I don’t believe this... married less than two weeks and the honeymoon’s over!”  Frank pouted and plopped down on the couch.  Katie sat next to him, and he scooted away a bare inch... all the room he had to move.  “No, no,” he said with mock indignation.  “I can tell that I’m not loved here.”

Hannah dropped to the arm of the couch, conveniently pinning Frank between her and Katie.  He couldn’t help the smile that appeared.  It harked back to the many of the times they’d shared just like this growing up.

“Heh,” Hannah commented.  “You know better.”

Frank patted her thigh and he pulled Katie into him, curling his arm around her.  “You bet I do, Little H.  It’s always nice to be reminded though.”

Jack cleared his throat.  “Been a long time since you youngsters were ragging on each other like that. Nice to see adulthood doesn’t change everything.”

Hannah slid off the couch and moved to give Jack a hug.  “And how was your day, Hannah?” Jack asked in a private manner even though Katie and Frank seemed to be in their own world at the moment.  He wasn’t sure what Hannah wanted shared with them.  Her answer was equally quiet, but there was no mistaking the truth of her feelings in her tone.

“It was fun, Uncle Jack; Donovan has such a sharp mind.  I enjoy just being with her even if we’re discussing mundane things like dinner or the weather.  And for something that she is earnestly interested in as she is in electricity....”  Hannah chuckled.  “I sound like a lovesick schoolgirl with a crush.”

“No, Hannah... you sound like a woman who is deeply in love, and your eyes say you have found your soul’s half.”

“I am Uncle Jack, and I have.”  The sound of giggling and slapping brought their attention back to Frank and Katie.  Hannah grinned devilishly before running and jumping over the couch to land on top of both of them, squarely between them.  “Hiya, guys!  Miss me?”

Frank and Katie exchanged a look before attacking simultaneously.  Soon Hannah was screaming in laughter as she was tickled from both sides.  Finally they all sat back in an exhausted heap.

“God, that was fun.  I haven’t laughed like that in a while.”

“I doubt any of us have,” Jack chimed in.  He moved away from the wall where he’d been leaning watching the three of them play like kids.  “I know my stomach hasn’t been this sore from laughing in quite a while.”

Hannah got up and moved to the kitchen, pulling out cold beers for everyone.  Then they popped the tops and scattered around the living room to settle in for some good conversation between them.

************

Several hours, a few beers and a platter of food later, the group was getting ready to say goodnight.  Hannah was arguing unsuccessfully for Katie and Frank to take her bed, knowing it was the only place for them to sleep together.  They were adamant that she keep her space.

“Hannah, I’ll be fine here,” Frank said, motioning to the couch.

“But... but what about Katie?  I know ya’ll are newlyweds and all, Frank, but neither of you is going to be that comfortable for very long out here.”

Katie laughed and took Hannah by the arm.  “I’m not sleeping out here.  You and I are having a sleep over.”

Hannah looked at Katie, confused.  “But Katie, you’re married.”

“Yes, and I intend to be for the rest of my life.  On the other hand, I don’t plan to be here very long so we need to catch up while we can.  Frank’s a big boy.  He’ll be all right by himself for a couple nights.”

“Frank?”

“Little H, Katie and I talked about it before you came home.  It’s fine.  I’m glad ya’ll have a chance to do your girl talk.”  He put his arm around Katie and kissed her head softly.  “You were always on my side when I was trying to court Katie, and I know my best girl has missed having her best girlfriend around to talk to and gossip with.”

Hannah nodded.  “Okay then.  I’d like that....”  She hesitated then took the plunge and continued speaking.  “Because I am going with Donovan tomorrow night, and I won’t be back for a while.”

Jack’s eyes grew wide.  He alone in the group realized exactly the implications of what Hannah had just said.  Katie just squealed with excitement and slapped Hannah in the arm.

“Ooh!  And how long where you gonna wait to tell us about that, huh?  And when do I get to meet this Blue Eyes??  And....”

She would have continued, but Frank took her by the arm.  “Honey, I love you and so does Hannah, but take it easy on her, will ya?  She looks a little shell-shocked.” 

“C’mon, NahNah,” referring to the very first nickname Hannah had been christened with.  “Let me get Frank settled, and we’ll have an honest-to-goodness, old-fashioned sleepover.  You grab the drinks and I’ll fix us another snack.”

Hannah turned to Frank and gave him as big a hug as she could muster.  “Thank you, Frank.”

“Anytime, Hannah.  You’re family, y’know.”

Hannah moved towards the hallway, leaving Frank and Katie to say their good nights in private.  Jack stopped her just as she reached the study, placing a hand on her arm.

“Do you have a minute, Hannah?”

She nodded, fairly certain she knew what he wanted to talk about and knowing he deserved an explanation.  She followed him into the study and took a seat, not surprised when he took the chair next to her instead of using his desk chair.

“You’re sure about this... going back with her then, I mean?”  It was not so much a question as it was a statement of understanding.  Hannah nodded and waited for the concerns she knew were coming.  Jack smiled.  “I’m glad.  You two have been through so much to be together, I think it’s wise of you to take the opportunity to do so.  I just hope the time period adjustment is not too difficult for you.  Reading about something even if your mind understands it, is entirely different from actually experiencing and living through it.”

“I know, Uncle Jack. Boy, do I ever,” she muttered almost under her breath.  “But this is something I have to do.  For her... for us... I have to do this.  I have to try.”

“I know you do, Hannah, and I wish you the best of success in the trying.”  Jack stood and offered his hands to Hannah who took them and rose to stand in front of him.  He took her in his arms and hugged her tightly, depositing a lone kiss to the top of her head.  “I am going to miss you though.”

“I’ll miss you, too, Uncle Jack.  And I imagine I’ll be missing indoor plumbing and electricity before it’s all said and done.  But it’s worth it to me to be together in more than just our dreams.”

Jack smiled and eased back.  “I was hoping we could discuss that in greater length and detail.  Perhaps when you get back?  I have several theories I’d like to talk over with you and compare notes on how things correlate.”

“I’d like that, Uncle Jack. I’m curious to know if we reached any of the same conclusions.”

“All right, then... it’s a date. We’re set for a nice long talk as soon as you come back with Donovan.”  He paused in thought.  “You’re not gonna be gone five or ten years, are you?”

Hannah’s brows rose into her hairline.  “Not to my knowledge.  This is supposed to be a short trip home to meet her folks.  Should be a few months given that we have to travel by slow boat but not much longer than that.  I think it will be about six months honestly.  I know Donovan wants to spend a little time at home before crossing the Atlantic again.”

“Understandable.  She’s not always a friendly ocean, especially the Northern part.  Will you be home for the holidays or...?”

“I don’t know.  I’ll ask.  We may have to wait until it is warmer to make the crossing bearable, in which case we may be gone nine months.  I’ll talk to her at the ball tomorrow so I can let you know before we leave.”

“Fair enough.  Now you better get in there and catch up with Katie.  She doesn’t understand what you leaving with Donovan means like I do.  And I know ya’ll have a lot to talk about.”

Hannah reached out and hugged Jack again.  “Thanks, Uncle Jack.  You’ve always been one of the best things in my life and I love you.”

He couldn’t help the welling up of emotion the words caused any more than he could stop the tears from falling down his face.  “I love you back, Little Hannah.  Now go on.  Katie is waiting and we’ll say our goodbyes before you leave tomorrow night.”

She nodded and took her leave of him, crossing the hallway to her room.  She opened the door, surprised to find Katie already there waiting for her.  “I thought you’d be... I mean, I was trying to give you guys, um....”

“Hannah, we were together before we got married.  A night apart is not going to kill either one of us.  Now,” mock sternly with her hands on her hips.  “Where are the drinks?”

Hannah scratched her head, honestly befuddled.  “Did I grab them?  I think I came straight back here.”  She thought a moment, backtracking her steps in her mind.  “I did,” she said at last.  “Damn!  Let me go....”  She started to open the door when a hand on her arm stopped her.

“No worries, Hon.  I noticed you walked out of there without picking anything up.  I grabbed the drinks when I got the snacks.  Frank helped me carry them in.  Now change into your jammies, and let’s get this party started.”

Hannah laughed and moved to change.  She was looking forward to this.

An hour later the two women sat together on the bed, drinks besides them and snacks between them.  Hannah had given Katie almost the whole story of her encounters with Donovan, leaving out the time difference and the more private and intimate details.  That of course is exactly what Katie jumped on first.

“Is she a good kisser?”

Hannah blinked, staring at Katie like she was some sort of alien.  Somehow, that wasn’t the first question she’d expected to come out of Katie’s mouth.  “Excuse me?” she finally croaked out when she could speak again.  She couldn’t stop the blush that crossed her face or the warmth that spread through her body at the memory of Donovan’s kisses though, and Katie noticed immediately.

“C’mon, Hannah.  Is Donovan a good kisser?”

“Um, why do you wanna know?” rubbing her face to get rid of the heat that was still very present.

Katie opened her mouth, then paused.  “We always shared secrets and stuff, Hannah,” she reminded her friend quietly.  “I’m just interested because she is so obviously a big part of your life.”

Hannah patted Katie’s arm, suddenly aware she had hurt her friend’s feelings unwittingly.  “She is, and you’re right.  We have always shared secrets and stuff.  That is just about the last question I expected you to ask me.”  She blushed again.  “But yeah,” said with a tiny smirk, “She’s a GREAT kisser.”

“Have ya’ll...?”

“KATIE!!!”

“What?  I told you when Frank and I first did.  In fact I told you about everyone I slept with... all three of them.  So c’mon, Hannah... dish with the details already!!”  But she smiled to let Hannah know that though she was interested, she was also teasing a bit.

Hannah blew out a breath, watching as her bangs flew up.  “Only in our dreams,” she mumbled, not sure she wanted Katie to have that many particulars.

“Oh!” Katie gushed.  “That is so romantic.”

Hannah’s brow scrunched.  “Which part?  Only doing it in our dreams?”

“Well, sorta.  Being able to love one another in your dreams is romantic, but waiting to get to know each other as real people is pretty cool too.”

“She’s worth it, Katie.  I’ve never known anyone quite like her.  She has a brilliant mind and a fierce code of honor.  It’s a combination that makes her a good leader, and her men respect her for both.”

“She must be.  Most women don’t make it into positions of authority like that even nowadays without a lot of resentment.”

“Well, I’m sure there’s some resentment, but by and large her crew seems to roll with it.”

“She sounds intriguing.  When do I get to meet her?”

“Tomorrow night at the Pirate’s Masquerade Ball.  I’ve already warned her to be prepared for your interrogation.”

Katie put her hands on her hips.  “You warned her, huh?  And why so late?  That’s right before ya’ll are leaving together, isn’t it?  Why not tomorrow morning?”  She glanced at the clock.  “This morning, I mean.  A lot later this morning, but still today.”

“You bet I warned her,” Hannah smirked.  “You warned me, remember?  Said she was gonna get the grilling of her life from you.  I thought it only fair for her to be prepared.”  She ignored Katie’s indignant “Hmph!” and continued.  “And it has to be tomorrow night.  I’m not gonna get to see her until then either.  She is up to her eyeballs in getting everything tied up and finished so we can leave with the tide after the ball.”

“You are good and well caught, aren’t you, my friend?” Katie asked, noting the expression on Hannah’s face.

“Yeah, I am, Katie,” she answered softly.  “Donovan was my dream; she fulfilled my dreams in every way I could have possibly imagined.  It’s such a wonderful sensation knowing she loves me like I do her.”

“I am so very happy for you, Hannah.  I was worried about you for a long time, especially knowing how important those dreams were to you.  I’m glad they’ve come true for you.”  Katie put her arm around Hannah’s shoulders and hugged her tightly.

“Me too.  I never knew love would feel like this when it finally came to me.”

“Pretty great feeling, isn’t it?” Katie asked with a smile.

“Yeah” Hannah answered.  “One I could get used to having around for say... the rest of my life.”  Hannah turned to Katie and smiled, patting her leg comfortingly.  “You’ll like Donovan, Katie, I promise.”

“I know... but I still reserve a best friend’s grilling rights.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

************

Neither woman was too happy to see the sunshine streaming in the window when daylight dawned.  They had spent the better part of the night talking, and morning came much sooner than they were ready for.  Hannah stumbled out of bed first and headed to the kitchen, heedless of her bed head and rumpled pajamas.  She didn’t even slow down at the chuckles and snickers emanating from Frank and Jack as she walked straight to the coffee pot.

“Late night, Hon?” Jack asked almost sympathetically.  His chuckling made it hard for her to believe the sincerity behind the query.

“Um,” she managed to respond, debating the wisdom of sticking a straw directly into the pot.  She decided against it and grabbed a cup from the nearby cabinet, poring enough milk and sugar in to disguise the coffee taste.

Hannah moved to the bar and took a seat next to Frank, sticking her nose in her coffee and trying desperately not to notice his chuckling too much.  It took a few minutes, but she was finally awake enough to have both eyes open.  She promptly glared at both men.  “What’s so funny?” she demanded petulantly.

For answer, Jack took her head in his hands and turned her towards the mirror on the wall.  Her eyes widened at the reflection looking back at her, then simply dropped her head onto her arms on the bar.

“Shoot me now,” she moaned.

The two men chuckled again.  “The good news is you have all day to fix it,” Frank commented as he rose and put the counter between them.  “The bad news is you’re gonna need every minute of it.”

Hannah cast him a dirty look before reaching over the counter and grabbing him by the chest hair.  He howled in agony when she twisted.  “You just wait til I tell Katie on you,” she smirked evilly.

“Tell me what?” Katie asked through a yawn as she stepped from the hallway.

“Frank said we’d need all day to fix the mess we are now.”

Katie’s eyes popped open wide and she turned the outraged orbs towards her husband.  Frank in the meantime was scrambling to get away, protesting his innocence.  Jack wisely retired from the field and headed outside for another swim.

“Oh, did he now?”

“No, I didn’t,” Frank shrieked.  “I was talking about Hannah.”

Hannah and Katie both were doing their best not to burst out in hysterical laughter as they slowly began to close in on him from either side.  Frank, however, saw a flaw in their tactic and went screaming out the door and down toward the beach.  Katie and Hannah looked at one another then, and just howled.

“You know,” Hannah said as she gasped for breath.  “He really did just say it about me.”

“Yeah, but he was always fun to tease, and I’m sure he had it coming ‘cause I saw the look in his eyes when I stepped into the living room.  The thought did cross his mind.”

“Well,” Hannah replied turning and bringing Katie around with her so the faced the mirror together.  “He probably could have had a point.”  They laughed again looking at the disheveled picture they made.  Then Hannah turned back to the kitchen.  “You want the shower first or coffee?” fairly certain what the answer was going to be.

“Coffee,” Katie groaned.  “Need caffeine.”

Hannah chuckled.  “Thought as much, but it’s polite to ask.  I won’t be long.”

************

After both women were more presentable, Hannah went into her room and started going through her things.  Katie stood at the door and watched her mumble and frown with loving eyes.

“Nope, nuh uh, nope, NO... hmm, I’d like to but.... No, no, no, no.... uh uh, nope, no....  Guess packing to leave won’t take me very long at all.  There really isn’t much I can take with me.”

“What’s up, NahNah?  Can’t decide what goes and what stays?”

“No, just realizing I really don’t need to take anything.”

Katie’s eyebrows rose into her hairline.  “She keeping you as a naked love slave or something?”

Hannah choked on the water she was swallowing, and her head whipped around to meet Katie’s eyes.  “WHAT???  God almighty, what kind of books have you been reading?”

Katie laughed though she blushed a deep, dark red.  “Sorry. You were just having the oddest conversation with yourself, and when you said you wouldn’t need to take any of your clothes or anything with you, I said the first thing that popped into my head.”

“Uh huh,” Hannah replied, still laughing a bit.  “Maybe you should have been the writer.  You obviously have the imagination for it.”

“Be nice to me,” Katie growled as she turned a shade darker.

“But I’m having so much more fun giving you a hard time.”

“I noticed.  But I still have to talk to Donovan tonight, and if you don’t want me telling her about Racer’s....”  Katie trailed off, knowing full well Hannah would get the implication.

“You wouldn’t!!”

“Try me.”

Hannah slapped the bed in frustration.  “That’s not fair!”

Katie grinned evilly at her.  “No, but it worked.”

“I hate you, you know.”

“Yes, Dear... I know.”  Katie put her arm around Hannah’s shoulder and steered her through the bedroom door and out of the house towards the beach.  “Now c’mon.  I want some sun while we’re here.  We only have a few hours before we have to get ready for the ball.”

Hannah looped her arm through Katie’s as they ran down to the water.  Frank was already comfortably ensconced in a chair with a book and a bottle of water.  He just laughed and shook his head as the two women ran shrieking into the surf.

************

It was mid afternoon, and both Hannah and Katie lay out in the sun enjoying its warmth and the surrounding peace.  Finally Katie turned to Hannah with a question.

“Hannah?”

“Mmm?”

“I’m curious about your dress.”  Katie rolled onto her side facing Hannah.  “Mama showed it to me and reminded me that you’d had it made several years ago to exact specifications.”

“Uh huh.”

“Why?  I mean... how did you know?  How did you know you would need it, and need it to be just the way it was?  Was it one of your dreams?”

Hannah turned to face Katie now, pulling down her sunglasses just slightly so Katie would see she was talking directly to her.  Katie did the same and they nodded acknowledgement that their attention was focused on the topic at hand.

“Actually it was several of my dreams.  And it was as clear to me as this blanket or our swimsuits or anything else here that you can see and touch and know.  After I had the dream for three years running, I decided to have the dress made... hoping... knowing that I would need it one day.  That it was part of my future... my destiny.”

“But why so specific?  Mama said it was made four times before you were satisfied.”

Hannah scrubbed her hands through her hair and sat up.  It had frustrated both her and Sarah O’Shea trying to come to an understanding about the importance of this dress to Hannah. Finally though, Hannah had found a way to explain it that Sarah could accept.

“Katie, do you remember when we went shopping for your wedding dress?  How we hunted and searched until we found just exactly what you had in mind?  And how we had to have the saleswoman go back three times because there was something just a little bit wrong with each dress she brought out?”  Katie nodded remembering the ordeal far too clearly.  For a while she had despaired of finding what she wanted.  “That is what this dress was like for me.  It had to be just so.  Certain material; certain cut; certain stitching.”

Katie nodded again in understanding.  “I can see that, I guess, but I sure don’t envy you having to wear all those petticoats.”  She chuckled.  “I wish you could have seen the customs agent when he started riffling through those layers and layers of cloth.”

Hannah’s eyes got big at the implication.  “He didn’t...?”  She let her thoughts trail off, thinking of the damage that could have been wrought.

“You bet he didn’t,” Katie answered fiercely.  “I told him that very, very bad things would happen to him if he disturbed a single thread.”

“You didn’t!”

“I most certainly did.  I wasn’t gonna be the one to explain to MY mama why almost a year’s worth of work was destroyed by carelessness.  I’m on my honeymoon.  I would like to live long enough to have a second one.”

“Ooh... I see your point.  She would have made EVERYBODY miserable.”

“Yep, and I made sure that agent knew it in no uncertain terms... I called mama and put her on the phone with him.”

Hannah giggled and covered her mouth.  “Did you really?”

“Uh huh, and you shoulda seen how careful he was when he handed me the phone back.”

“That is too funny.”

“Yep, it really was.”  Katie rolled back onto her stomach and rooted around in the bag Frank had brought her.  She found her watch and jumped to her feet.  Hannah looked at her perplexedly.  “It’s almost four o’clock.”

“Okay... and...?”

“Don’t we need to go get ready?”

“Well, the party doesn’t start til eight,” Hannah replied, standing easily.  “But it’s probably not a bad idea.  It’s gonna take me some time to get into that dress.”

Right at that moment, Jack came to the door and called them inside. 

“I guess great minds think alike.”

“I guess it’s time to eat,” Hannah smirked.  The smirk turned into a full-fledged grin when the suggestion made both stomachs rumble in hunger.  “C’mon,” Hannah said as she snatched her towel from the sand.  “I’ll race ya!”

Katie squawked.  “Hey, no fair! I wasn’t ready!  Hannah!  HANNAH!!”

Hannah’s laughter floated back to her as she trudged through the sand to the house.


Chapter XVII

Donovan got up before daybreak, having missed Hannah’s comforting presence in her dreams.  She knew it was because Katie was in town with Hannah that she wasn’t here, and she was trying very hard not to begrudge Katie the time with her best friend.  After all, Donovan thought trying hard to control the brilliant smile that crossed her face quite without her permission, she’s leaving with me tonight, and I will have her all to myself.

Unable to stop the giddy feeling that washed through her at the thought, Donovan whistled cheerfully as she approached her ship in the near dawn.  The sailors looked up in surprised as the Captain boarded the boat.  It had been a very long time since she’d been this cheerful and never before when leaving this island to head for home.

She returned the salute of her Bo’sun’s mate and immediately headed below to check the stores.  She found Mr. Merryweather with a quill and parchment, carefully going over their supplies and trade goods one more time.  He looked up, and his eyes widened at the intense happiness so apparent in Donovan’s very demeanor.

“Ahoy, Captain.  What brings you out so early?  You usually leave the final checks to me and the crew.”

“Actually, I came this far below to tell you good morning, Mr. Merryweather.  But I am here early to ensure that everything is set for Hannah’s comfort before we sail tonight.”

“I think you’ll find everything in order, sir.  Harold has been diligently working at all the tasks you gave him.  I’m glad you chose that as his punishment, sir.  It maintained morale in a way nothing else could have.  And I know Harold is anxious to redeem himself by making everything perfect for Miss Hannah.”

Donovan smiled.  She had been fairly certain the entire crew appreciated her punishment for Harold.  It was perfect for the misdeed and actually was not so harsh that it would be considered mistreatment.  She knew there were many even within the Royal Navy who tended to use their cabin boys as whipping posts or worse for whatever minor offenses they committed.  She herself didn’t see the point.  A ship and crew handled much better when treated with respect.

She smiled at Mr. Merryweather, moving aside when a grunting crewman came down the stairs with a heavy box.  He nodded at her and waited for the first mate to indicate where he wanted the container placed.  Donovan watched as the man put the box down carefully and then nodded respectfully at her again before excusing himself to go back to his duties. 

“Mr. Merryweather, it seems you have things well in hand.  If you will excuse me, I will go check out the improvements in my cabin and then I have several things to take care of on shore.  I trust that the men will be getting some rest this afternoon?”

The first mate eased his watch from his waistcoat pocket, popping the lid and nodding approval at the time before snapping it closed.  “Yes sir.  If we stay on schedule, we should be done here within the next two hours and the men have strict orders to rest and relax as much as possible.”

“Is the watch set for tonight?”

“Aye sir.  As it has been every year.  We have a split shift that allows all the men some time at the ball before we set sail.”

“Good.”  Donovan turned to make her way up to her cabin, but stopped when Merryweather called her by name.

“Donovan?”  Her eyes widened.  In all their years together, she could count on one hand the number of times John Merryweather had addressed her as anything aside from ‘sir’ or ‘Captain’.

“Yes, John?” answering him in kind and letting him know that she appreciated the fact that whatever was coming was personal and was allowing him the opportunity to speak on that level.

“I just wanted to say that I am glad you found Hannah.  And to ask if you are going to fulfill the legend tonight.”

Donovan smiled, and her first mate smiled back in pure response.  “So am I, John.  I never knew that it would be like this, but God, I am so glad it is.  And yes, I am.  It is time to make that legend a reality.”

Donovan walked up the short steps to her cabin, hesitating at the threshold at the grunting sounds coming from within. Her men had always respected the tiny space she was able to consider her own, but it sounded vaguely like....  Without warning she pushed open the door stopping when she saw Roberts hovering over Harold in a rather awkward position.  Neither one noticed she was standing there as the man had his back to the door and the boy couldn’t see around him.  She started towards them when she heard Roberts give a guttural moan.

“Come on then, Lad.  Right there.  I canna stand the strain much longer.”

Harold didn’t have a chance to answer as Donovan’s bark rattled across the small space, nearly causing Roberts to sever the cabin boy’s head.  “ROBERTS!!”

“Aye, Cap’n?”  The strain was apparent in his voice, and Donovan came around to face him when it became clear he wasn’t going to turn around to face her.  What she found was not what she’d expected to see.  Harold finished tapping the last wooden peg into place, and Roberts eased his knees away from the corners and gently set the down-filled mattress into the frame.  “By God, Boy.  I thought you were goin’ ta kill me there for a minute.  Good work though.  The Cap’n should be pleased.”  He slapped the lad’s shoulder before he remembered that the captain was still standing there but with a now puzzled look on her face.  “Cap’n?” he asked hesitantly, not knowing if he should stay or consider himself dismissed or....

“Thank you Mr. Roberts.  I will speak to you about this shortly.”

Roberts hadn’t survived in the Navy as long as he had without understanding a dismissal when he heard one.  He nodded and made his way to the door immediately.  “Aye, sir,” he responded.  “I’ll be on deck.”  Then without another word he exited the room and closed the door behind him.

Donovan took the opportunity to look around the small cabin and note the changes with a keen eye.  Harold had done very well, doing everything she’d asked for and a few more things besides.  The room was spotless, floors and walls scrubbed clean until they almost glowed.  The glass on the small window she’d added two years prior glistened and was open to allow the fresh air in.  There was a second tiny closet added, and Donovan was pleased to see that it had several drawers.

How very clever.  I wonder....  “Harold, who did the woodworking?  Smythe or Alexander?”

“Um, actually, sir... um, well... I did.”

A skeptical brow shot into Donovan’s dark hairline.  “Excuse me?”

Harold scratched his neck, unable to stand the strain of being at attention any longer.  “Well, sir, it was my idea.  I drew out what I wanted and then Mr. Smythe and Mr. Alexander helped me build it.  I did most of the measurin’ and all the cuttin’.  They made sure it was all right before I moved to the next piece.  But I did as much of it myself as I could.  And I put a chest area at the bottom in case Miss Hannah needs....”

He would have continued babbling except that Donovan held up her hand for silence right then, and he stumbled to a halt.  He watched as she continued her perusal, finally noticing what he and Mr. Roberts had been working on when she’d walked in.  Her tiny pallet was gone.  In its place was a bed almost large enough for two people her size.  Should be just right for Hannah and myself.  She couldn’t stop the involuntary smile that crossed her face and didn’t realize how adorably charming it made her look.  Harold bit his lip to keep from laughing.

She schooled her features into a more stoic expression, and Harold was grateful for the time to get his own face under control.  He was the picture of calm serenity by the time she brought her eyes back to his.

“Excellent job, Mr. Worthington.  I see great promise in your future.”  This time Donovan saw Harold bite his lip though it wasn’t to stop the laughter, but to contain the tears at her reference to his position as a member of her crew.  Suddenly he was less a cabin boy and more a uniformed crewman with the Royal Navy.  Unconsciously he stood straighter, and she smiled.  “If you are willing, I will recommend you for a posting to this ship as a seaman on our next voyage.”  She held up her hand.  “Do not answer me now.  Take some time to think and consider things, Harold.  This is a hard life, and the sea can be an unforgiving mistress.  You have a talent with wood if you want one.”

Harold nodded, then asked softly, ”Permission to speak freely, sir?”

“Aye, Lad,” she nodded.  “Go ahead.”

“Sir, I have worked hard and faithfully hoping that I would be considered a worthy addition to your crew.  I would be honored to become part of it in a more responsible position.”

Donovan noticed that he spoke very slowly and carefully, as though he had rehearsed the speech a hundred times over in his mind.  She regarded him with deep blue eyes for a very long moment before she nodded.  “Very well, Mr. Worthington.  You will have to continue your duties as cabin boy until we arrive back in our home port, but when we ship out on our next voyage you will assume the position of a seaman.”  She paused then continued.  “Do you know of anyone you might recommend to take your place as our cabin boy?”

Harold swallowed and prayed to the Virgin to spare him if his mama heard that this bit of information had fallen from his lips.  “I’ve a brother, Patrick.  He would be almost eight by the time we set sail again.”

“And how would your mama feel about losing another son to the sea?”

“Well, sir, I think it will depend on her point of view that day.  I know she hates it, especially considering she lost papa to it.  But practically, she knows we are all better off by it.”

“Then we will hope to meet the practical side when we go speak to her.”  Donovan nodded.  “You are dismissed, Mr. Worthington.”

The boy nodded and moved to the door.  Donovan’s voice stopped him on the threshold.  “Thank you, Harold.  You did a beautiful job, and I truly believe Hannah will be comfortable and happy here.”

He didn’t say a word, but the smile on his face spoke volumes and warmed her to her toes.

Donavan sat down at her desk, still marveling at the transformation of her cabin.  What had once seemed a cold and sterile space now had the warmth of a home.

She slapped her hands on her thighs and rose, knowing she had things to finish before the evening.  Donovan spotted Mr. Roberts by the mainsail, securing the ropes into place.  He stood at attention at the Captain’s approach.

“At ease, Mr. Roberts.”

He nodded and stood at ease, resuming his work.  He didn’t say a word but waited for her to speak, not sure if he was in trouble or not.

“Thank you for helping Harold, Mr. Roberts.  You both did superior work in my cabin, and you have my sincere gratitude.  I am sure Hannah will be not only comfortable but well-pleased.”

Donovan felt the blush on her face during her little speech and was surprised to see a matching one covering Roberts’ face as well.  He nodded his head in acceptance of her words.  “Thank you, Cap’n.”  He hesitated before asking, “Permission to speak freely?”

Donovan rolled her mental eyes.  What is with my crew toady?  But she nodded her head in acquiescence.

“We were all glad to do it, sir.  Miss Hannah has changed something for you, and that means she has changed something for us.  And it looks like the change is for the better.”

Donovan never lost her stoic expression, but she felt the shock at the second mate’s words down to her toes.  “And you can tell this from the very limited time I have been here, and your brief meeting with Hannah?”

“Aye, sir,” the man said respectfully.  “The change is that obvious to everyone.”

“Well then, Mr. Roberts, I commend you for your fortitude in being the spokesman.”

“Only speaking for myself, Cap’n, but I think the crew would agree with me.”

“Very well, Mr. Roberts.  Carry on.”

Donovan walked to the gangplank and spoke to the watchman on duty.  “I have some business in town, Mr. Trilby.  I will be back to prepare for the ball.”

“Aye, sir,” was all he said before Donovan disembarked and headed into town.

************

Debendra was waiting in almost the same spot Donovan had found him in the last time she’d come to town as though he knew to expected her just then and had been waiting patiently for her arrival.  She mentally smacked herself.  He is a shaman.  It is very likely he could know when I was coming.  Not that my needing to retrieve Hannah’s new clothing before this evening would give him any clue.  She straightened as she approached, wondering at the meaning behind his not-so-well-hidden-smile.  Then she accepted the hand he held out to her and allowed Debendra to pull her into a hug.

“You look much better than the last time I saw you, my friend.  Things have worked out well for you and Hannah, yes?”

“She is opening up whole new worlds to me, Debendra.  Things I never... well, I am glad you and Mama approve of her.  It means a lot to both of us, especially knowing how my mother is going to react.”  The shaman cleared his throat almost delicately and it caused Donovan to turn a wary eye in his direction.  “Debendra?”  The word was said in a low, growling voice, and it caused a shiver to skitter up his spine.  He flinched when her fiery gaze focused on him intently.  “Is there a problem?”

“Perhaps.  Perhaps not.  Can you explain to Mama why Hannah disappeared and did not nurse you when you were ill?”  He saw the ire grow and hastened to explain.  “She is concerned... for you both.  She says no ties like those that bind the two of you together should be severed. And yet for all intents and purposes that is exactly what it seems like has happened.  Mama will naturally lay the blame for it on Hannah’s shoulders; for as much as we like her, you are a daughter of our heart.”

Donovan couldn’t maintain her anger in the face of such direct, honest caring.  Instead she put a hand on Debendra’s arm.  “Take me to Mama, Debendra, and I will do my best to explain.”

************

Forty-five minutes later, Donovan was finishing up her tale as well as she possibly could.  It was impossible to explain the time difference between her and Hannah.  It was difficult enough for her to understand it, and she was living it.  There was no way she could make Mama or Debendra understand a concept she couldn’t describe.

“So Hannah was taken away from you?”

“Yes.”

“But you could communicate in your dreams?”

“Once the sickness was gone, yes.  Just like we have all these years.  I never knew how much I depended on the dreams until they were gone.”  The last was said in a bare whisper and Mama almost didn’t hear it.  She simply nodded her understanding.

“And you have found her again?”  Mama asked.  She didn’t need an answer from the obvious reaction on Donovan’s face.  Blue eyes sparkled with joy and a fierce grin spread across her mouth.  Mama had to smile in return just from the sheer happiness she felt radiating from Donovan.

“Oh yes, Mama.  The reason she is not here with me today is that she has to prepare herself for the masquerade tonight.  But she will be sailing with us after the ball.  I am taking her home with me.”

Donovan waited anxiously for Mama to speak.  She desperately wanted her blessing on her union with Hannah.  It was almost as important as her father’s.  She held her breath, not noticing that her leg was nervously jumping up and down.

Mama placed a well-worn hand on the jittery joint and immediately Donovan stopped all movement.  With her other hand, Mama lifted Donovan’s chin until they were looking eye to eye.  “You have my blessing, Donovan. Make sure you bring here to see me before you cast off tonight.”

Donovan reached up and gave Mama a big hug.  “Thank you, Mama.  I will.  I promise.”

Mama patted the taller woman’s back, then gently eased out of the embrace.  “Good girl,” ignoring the raised eyebrow. “Now go get Hannah’s clothes from Satosh and get them aboard your ship.  You need to rest a bit before the festivities tonight.”  She held up her hand when Donovan drew breath to speak.  “Mind Mama now, Donovan. I know best.”

Donovan couldn’t argue with that sort of logic, so she nodded her head and mumbled, “Yes, Mama.”   

Satosh handed Donovan a sizeable package wrapped carefully in brown paper and tied with twine then she unceremoniously pushed Donovan to the door.  “Go on, Donovan,” she muttered with a hand planted firmly in the strong back.  “If Mama thinks I held you up in here after she told you to go get some rest for tonight, she will make me stay home tonight.”

Donovan chuckled though she truly believed what Satosh said. Mama was swift to punish disobedience and always made the punishment fit the crime.  “And how do you know what Mama said to me?  Oof!” she grunted out when Satosh punched her in the arm... rather hard.  She glared down into brown eyes.  “What did you hit me for?”

“Donovan Scott!!  How long have you known my mother?? Hmm??  I have known her all my life, thank you very much, and I know exactly what she said!  There are just some things that never change!”

“Point taken.  Let me go before we both get into trouble.”

“Good idea,” Satosh muttered, literally pushing Donovan out the door.

“Thank you, Satosh.  I am sure Hannah will be pleased.”

Satosh grinned mischievously in the doorway.  “I think you will be even more.”  Then she closed the door before Donovan could process her words.

Donovan muttered and mumbled all the way back to her ship, disregarding the odd looks and stares that followed her.  She nodded to Mr. Andrews who had the watch as she boarded the boat.  Other than his presence, the ship was almost ghostly silent.  “Everyone resting, Mr. Andrews?”

“Aye Cap’n.  Those were your orders.”

“Very good, then.  Carry on.”

Without stopping, Donovan went into her cabin and kicked the door shut behind her.  She set the package on the bed, wincing a little at the stiffness the heavy bundle had caused in her arms and elbows.  She looked at it for a long moment torn between curiosity and good manners.  Good manners won though not by much, and she opened Hannah’s new armoire and placed the clothing inside without opening the paper.  Then she slipped off her boots and crawled into the bed, moaning at its softness.  She never even felt herself drift off into a deep, peaceful sleep.

************

It was almost sunset when a light rapping at her door brought Donovan slowly up from the nest of sleep she’d been burrowed in.  She stretched languidly, knowing from the light unhurried tapping that there wasn’t an urgent or impending disaster waiting of the other side of the door.  When she noted the lowness of the sun in the sky, she figured that it was her first mate insuring that she had ample time to prepare herself for the masquerade.   Donovan padded over to the door and opened it just as John Merryweather raised his hand to knock again.  He hesitated when he saw her, trying to collect himself.

“Oh good, Captain.  You’re awake.”  He gestured to the men who stood behind him.  “We thought you might want a hot bath before you prepared for the evening.”

A dark brow rose.  “Are you saying I smell, Mr. Merryweather?”  She didn’t smile, but he could see the twinkling very clearly in her blue eyes.

“No, sir.  I am saying you always appreciate a chance to take a warm bath,” he answered evenly though Donovan noted the teasing gleam in his eyes.

“Very well then, sir.  Please bring it in.”

John Merryweather brought the tub in and set it in the center of the room, then the sailors had a short bucket brigade as they passed in the ten or twelve buckets of warm water to fill it. Satisfied, the first mate took a look around and nodded. 

“If you have everything you need sir...?”  He let his voice trail off in question, and Donovan nodded.  “I will be back shortly to see to the tub’s removal sir.  If you will excuse me?”

“Have all the men bathed, Mr. Merryweather?”

“Aye, sir.”

“Thank you.  I will see you shortly.”

Donovan lit a lamp and quickly stripped out of her clothing.  It wasn’t as comfortable as the tub at her cottage, but it would do for getting her clean.  She stepped into the warm water with alacrity and lathered up the cloth she had with her mother’s cinnamon soap.  Within thirty minutes, she was clean, dry and semi-dressed... leather trousers, thick socks and a coarse undershirt.  She sat brushing her hair dry, glad for its shoulder length.  She was nearly done when the expected knock came.

“Come in, Mr. Merryweather.”

The first mate entered, resplendent in his pirate clothing.  He had braided his hair, but left it unpowdered.  The brass buttons on his shirt shone brilliantly even in the dim lamplight, and he held his sword delicately out of the way of the door.  John felt his Captain’s eyes on him, reviewing his appearance and he stood a little straighter under her scrutiny.  Even when she nodded her approval, he did not relax but stepped further into the room.

“It is nearly time for us to leave, Captain.  I came to help you with your cloak, sir.”

“Thank you, Mr. Merryweather.”  She stood and put on the shirt and sash that were an intricate part of her pirate attire.  Then she waited for him to retrieve her cloak and stood immobile as he swirled it into place around her shoulders.  In an oddly intimate gesture, John pulled her hair from her collar before she tied the material at the neck.  The first mate lifted Donovan’s blade reverently and handed it to her and waited patiently for her to strap it on.  When she was finished, she turned to him, waiting for his inspection.

“You are leaving your hair down, sir?” 

“For tonight, yes.  Hannah likes it this way particularly, and I do not see the harm.”

“Agreed, sir.”  He hesitated as she turned towards the door.  “Sir?”  He waited for her to stop and look at him, knowing he would get a raised eyebrow for his trouble.  He wasn’t disappointed.

“Yes, Mr. Merryweather?”

“Well, sir, I wondered if you planned to wear shoes tonight?”   He gestured to her sock covered feet.  She sighed.

“Damn!  I knew there was a reason I was not completely uncomfortable.  It could be worse, I suppose.  I could be stuck in uniform.”  She sighed again and delicately reseated herself on the bed.  The sword made it difficult at best, and she eased it out of the way gently.

“Very well, Mr. Merryweather.  Would you be so kind as to hand me my boots?”

The first mate went to the door where Harold stood waiting.  “Fine job, Lad,” Merryweather exclaimed as he got a good look at the shine on the Captain’s boots.  “Go wait up on deck. We will be there momentarily.”

John Merryweather knelt carefully at Donovan’s feet, easing her feet into her boots.  She opened her mouth to protest, but her forestalled her by holding up a hand.  “It is my duty and privilege, Captain.  I promised your father I would keep an eye on you, and I do not want to be the one to explain to Ernst Scott how his daughter was disemboweled with the wrong end of her own sword while putting on her boots.”

Donovan scratched her chin thoughtfully.  “When you put it that way....”  She looked at him a long moment.  “Did you really promise my father you would look after me?”

“Yes, sir, I did.  Your father is my friend, and I owed him a debt.  It was the very least I could do.”

“And yet you have never once tried to usurp my authority.”

“No, sir.  You are still my Captain.  I would watch your back in any case.  I am just happy that doing my duty to you enabled me to fulfill my word to your father.”

Donovan nodded and waited for Merryweather to finish pulling up her boots.  “Then if I may ask a favor of you, John?”

His widening eyes were the only obvious sign of his shock at her request.  He nodded solemnly.  “You have but to ask, sir.”

“John, you are the closest thing I have to a friend.  Will you... will you stand for me... at my marriage to Hannah?”

John Merryweather was speechless.  Nothing she could have said could have taken him more by surprise than the request she had just made of him.  He concentrated on closing his jaw and swallowing, willing his eyes to stay in his head.  Finally under control, he nodded vigorously.  “It would be my honor to do so, sir.”

Donovan let out the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding.  Her first hurdle was crossed and she smiled and offered her hand to her first mate.  He accepted with alacrity then bravely spoke.

“You know, Captain, if Miss Hannah is willing, I think a majority of the crew would stand with you.”

He almost missed the tear because she blinked and it was gone, and she smiled tremulously.  “Thank you, Mr. Merryweather.  I cannot tell you what that means to me.”

“You do not have to, sir.  A good first mate knows these things,” here he puffed out his chest.  “And I am the best.”

Donovan chuckled, appreciating his attempt to ease the tensely emotional atmosphere in the room.  She clapped him on the shoulder.  “That you are Mr. Merryweather.  That you are.”  She pulled the door open and motioned him to walk in front of her.  “Now let us gather our crew and go to the meetinghouse.  My lady awaits.”  She snatched up her mask before stepping into the passageway and closing the door behind them.

They stepped onto the deck and John moved to one side as Donovan reached topside.  He crew stood in a double row, waiting for her inspection, and she felt her heart swell at the sight.  These were good men, and they had put themselves in her care.  She vowed again to do right by them as they had by her, and she promised herself that she would ask Hannah about having them all stand with them both on their wedding day.  Slowly Donovan walked the ranks, nodding and occasionally reaching out to straighten or inspect.  When she reached the gangplank she turned to face them and spoke.

“Gentlemen, you know the rules.  Tonight you are representatives of me and this ship.  All I ask is that you remember that before you do anything that might bring shame upon us.  With that in mind... have a good time, and remember that we sail with the tide.”  The men cheered, both anxious to have a good time and ready to leave for home.  It had been a long, rough few months.  “Come along then, men,” Donovan called when the noise had subsided.  “It is time for the pirates to join the masquerade!”

Another loud yell rose from the men and with a rousing chorus and high spirits, the pirates made their way to the masquerade ball.


Chapter XVIII

Hannah stepped from the hallway to utter and complete stunned silence.  She turned back to look at Katie who smiled and motioned her forward.  She walked further into the living room and noted the odd expressions on Jack’s and Frank’s faces.  Her forehead scrunched up in confusion and she looked back and forth between them.

“Uncle Jack?”  Hannah’s voice seemed to break the spell that held them, and Jack blinked as he finally rose to meet her.  His grin was huge as he reached out to take her hands.

“Hannah, you look fabulous.  Absolutely stunning.  And the dress....”  Jack’s voice trailed off and he gestured at the gown that had taken both Hannah and Katie almost an hour to get Hannah into and settled.  There were real, honest-to-God petticoats, layer after layer of them done in very fine, white linen.  Hannah had insisted on the linen; the thought of muslin against her skin made her itch.  The underskirt was a deep emerald green silk.

The overlay and bodice were both a mint green silk, and the bows tied around the skirt were emerald velvet.  The neckline scooped low enough to hint at the cleavage hidden beneath the material, and the short sleeves that were pulled off Hannah’s shoulders showed off her musculature to its best advantage.  Hannah had pulled her hair up, leaving her back bare and adding to her distinguished, grown-up air.

Jack circled her, then reached into the pocket of his over tunic.  “The time has come,” he said as he draped an emerald necklace around Hannah’s neck and began to fasten it.  She reached up hesitant hands towards it.

“Uncle Jack?”

“Trust me, Hannah.  You’ll understand soon enough.”  He came round to stand in front of her again, and leaned in to kiss her cheek.  “I love you, little Hannah.”

For some reason, the sentiment made her eyes water, and she blinked back tears before she responded, “I love you too, Uncle Jack.”  She took a moment to take in his attire, and she smiled.  “You look quite dashing.”

“Hey!  What about me?  What am I???  Chopped liver??”

Hannah bit her lip to keep from chuckling at Frank’s plaintive plea.  But she dutifully turned her head and studied him.  Both men were dressed in the tunics and trousers of the mid-eighteen hundreds.  Long, dark pants topped short boots.  White shirts were nearly hidden from view by dark cravats, waistcoats, and long overcoats.  Jack wore a black suit, and Frank brown to compliment Katie’s yellow dress.

“I think you both look very handsome,” Hannah finally commented.  She turned to her friend.  “What do you think, Katie?”

“I think I’m glad I don’t have to get dressed like this every day,” Katie grunted as she eased her hoop skirt through the doorway.  She had opted NOT to wear the authentic petticoats, having no desire to cart around an extra thirty-five pounds on her person.  The hoop was more awkward though since there was very little give in the wire.

Hannah chuckled and gestured towards Katie.  “Uncle Jack?  How are we gonna get to the meetinghouse?  There is no way we’ll all fit in the car.”

“Oh, no cars tonight, Hannah.  Tonight we travel into town in style.”  Just then, a jingling was heard outside the front door, and after a moment a knock was heard.  Jack offered his arm to Hannah and saw Frank extend the same courtesy to Katie.  “Come, my dear.  Your carriage awaits.”

Hannah stepped outside and swallowed a gasp at the Cinderella style coach that sat at the door.  She turned to Jack with a question in her eyes.

“It sits in pieces in a small shed behind Jacob’s house most of the year.  Then a day or two before the ball, he and his family get it out, put it together and spiff it up just for this evening.  This is how everyone travels to the ball if they don’t walk.  I scheduled our time with Merry,” he said before she could ask.  “That is why I was adamant about your needing to be ready on time.”

He handed her up into buggy, then offered his hand to Katie.  She took it and stepped inside and the two gentlemen followed.  Then they were off to town.

************

Hannah was thankful to touch her feet to earth again.  She hadn’t realized the ride into town was so long; nor had she understood how rough and rocky it was without shock absorbers.  She was thankful for the layers and layers of linen she had on right then though.  Katie hadn’t fared so well and stepped from the carriage rubbing her behind.

“Ow, damnation!  That hurts.  I think I’m bruised now.”

“Ill bet.  I feel like a milkshake.”

Katie chuckled and looked around while waiting for her husband and Jack to exit the coach.  The meetinghouse looked a lot different that it had the day before.  There were pine torches lighting the entire building and the windows were opened wide.  All the tables had been removed and the cane back chairs had been scattered around the room.  The electrical and sound equipment was gone or covered to such a degree as to be unrecognizable.  The few wood tables set up in the corners were covered in linen, crystal and china.  Food covered with wire mesh lids sat on one table, and punch sat on another.  Three musicians sat on a raised platform at the far end of the room. 

Merry met them at the door.  “Welcome!  Welcome to the Pirates’ Masquerade Ball!”  She motioned to the feathered mask Hannah wore.  “What a lovely mask!”  Merry exclaimed as she drew them into the room.  “Now the masquerade’s rules are in effect.  Until the Pirate Captain appears and unmasks her heart’s desire or midnight arrives, everyone needs to stay masked.  Until then there is food and drink and the musicians will be playing for dancing soon.  Almost everyone is here so please enjoy yourselves.”

“Has she ever unmasked anyone?”  Katie asked.  She flinched at the strength of the grip Hannah had on her hand.  They were both fairly certain of the answer, but her giving voice to it still made Hannah nervous.

Merryweather chuckled.  “Only once... in 1855.”  Her eyes grew thoughtful.  “That was the beginning of the legend.”  She shook herself out of her reverie as another group of partygoers made their way in the door.  “If you’ll excuse me....”

A thrill chased itself over Hannah’s spine at Merry’s words. Now she understood at least part of the legend.  They moved further into the room, ever mindful of the full skirts they wore.  Jack carefully seated Hannah, and moved to get them both some punch.  Frank led Katie out onto the dance floor as the musicians began playing.

The first hour or so, Hannah spent alternately dancing and resting.  The dress was heavy and much hotter than she’d imagined it to be.  And without the air conditioning she was accustomed to, it was necessary to sit out every other dance to rest and cool off a bit.  She soon learned to be grateful for every bit of breeze she felt.

A flattering number of men had requested a dance, and Hannah was being approached by the next in line when a hush fell over the room.  She couldn’t help the involuntary gasp that fell from her lips.  There in the doorway stood Donovan, resplendent in all her pirate glory and surrounded by her crew.  They made a striking picture, and all eyes in the room focused on them intently.

Jack stared unabashedly at them.  This was the first time in his many years of attending this party that he ever remembered the pirates bringing such attention to themselves.  In fact this was the first year in memory that he recalled seeing more than a wisp of anyone besides Donovan herself.  He held his breath, waiting to see if the prophecy would come to life.

Hannah had time to wonder why this was a masquerade ball when it was so apparent exactly who the pirates were.  Then they were moving directly towards her and she stopped wondering about anything in light of how spectacular Donovan looked.  Hannah felt her jaw drop open and had to consciously take herself in hand.  As Donovan drew near, Hannah felt the blood rush through her body at the consuming expression in the fierce blue that regarded her and dropped her eyes to the floor.  She felt the gloved fingertips caress her chin before gently lifting her face until their eyes met.

Donovan smiled, and Hannah grinned nervously in return.  Donovan was immersing her in the sheer sensuality she was emitting, and it was making her feel warm and giddy and absolutely wonderful.  Without a word Donovan slid an arm around Hannah’s waist and led her out onto the dance floor.  The musicians didn’t hesitate but immediately began playing a hauntingly sweet melody for the two of them to dance to.  The floor cleared until only the two of them were left.

Hannah opened her lips to speak and was silenced by Donovan’s fingers.  So instead Hannah took advantage of the fact that Donovan was no longer holding her slightly apart from the Captain’s own figure with her lead hand and wrapped both arms around Donovan’s neck.

Donovan accepted the new hand placement gracefully, locking her arms around Hannah’s waist and slowing their steps to mere movement back and forth in virtually the same spot.  She felt Hannah’s sigh of contentment through her shirt as the blonde head came to rest on her chest.  Donovan smiled again and leaned her cheek on Hannah’s hair.

They weren’t alone, but to them it was as if the world had passed them by for a timeless moment.  In the meetinghouse, people from two separate timelines watched as the joining between them happened and marveled at the miracle it was.

Jack smiled, realizing that the legend and prophecy he had been studying for the better part of his life was being fulfilled in front of his eyes.  He thought back to the discussion he and his brother had had when they understood that the fulfillment of the prophecy lay not with them but with Michael’s daughter Hannah.

“Are you sure, Jack?   

Jack nodded heavily, his green eyes looking squarely into the equally green of his brother’s.  “Yeah, Mike, I am.  The legend is vague, but the diary is crystal clear."

“The legend says that she will unmask the Beloved Green Eyes she has been searching for at the masquerade ball.  That this will be the one she has been seeking, and when the two become one that they will not be seen nor heard from again in our lifetime.”  Jack nodded his agreement with Michael’s assessment.  “So what new part of her diary did you suddenly come across that you think this is going to be Hannah and not you or me for God’s sake?  Jesus, Jack!  She’s a fifteen-year-old child!"

“Michael, please!  Calm down and breathe, will ya?  You’re making me nervous, and this is hard enough for me as it is!”

Mike blew out a breath, and stopped pacing, taking a seat in front of his brother.  “I’m sorry, Jackie.  I know....”

“No, no you don’t, Mike!  All my life, I dreamed... I hoped... and now....”

Michael sat quietly for a moment.  “You’re right, Jack.  I don’t know how you feel.  But I do care, ya know.  You’re the only brother I’ve got, and you’re my best friend.”

“I know, Mikey. Thanks.  I just....”

“Why do you think Hannah is tied to this?” Mike asked when the silence began to grow uncomfortable.  “Aside from the fact that we know there is a family connection between us and Donovan Scott, why do you think Hannah is gonna be the one to fulfill the legend?  What did the diary say?”

“It describes her, Michael.  It talks about the green eyes that we all have, but it describes Donovan’s lover as a woman.  We may both have the same eyes as Hannah, but it is for damned sure no one is gonna mistake either of us for women!”

“But why Hannah, Jack??  Why her and not her children, or her children’s children?”

“That more than anything is a hunch, but I’m going with my gut here.  Things have been happening closer together... more often.  I think it’s a fair summation to say that it will happen in our lifetimes.  The only one of our line it could possibly be is Hannah.”

Mike ran a hand through his hair.  “God, Jack.  I don’t know if I am ready for that.  It means I am gonna lose my baby to a woman of myth and legend.”  He straightened in his seat and his eyes took on a steely resolve.  “Before I allow Donovan Scott to abscond ANYWHERE with my daughter, I think she and I need to have a serious father/suitor talk.  When should she and the Maiden be in the Triangle again?”
    Jack consulted his charts and the diaries again.  “According to the schedule she’s been keeping, she should be back in less than two weeks.”
    “All righty, then.  Let me get packed up and ready to go. I’m gonna go out and find Donovan Scott and see just what her intentions for my only child are.  Then we’ll see about giving them my blessing.”
    “Are you sure about this, Mikey?  It’s my turn....”
    “Yeah, Jack.  This is something I have to do.  You can go to Bolivia for that survey work.  We’ll get it all taken care of and meet back here to compare notes.”

That had been their last conversation about Donovan or the difference she would make in Hannah’s life.  As he watched the two of them melt into one another, he remembered Mike’s final words as he admonished Jack to take care of his little girl.  “I think you would have been proud of me, Brother.  I know you’d be proud of her.”

Merryweather heard Jack’s whisper though she didn’t understand the words he said.  She moved closer to him even as she kept her eyes glued to the tableau that was unfolding on the dance floor in front of her.  “They make a beautiful couple, don’t they?” she asked softly as Hannah buried herself further into Donovan’s neck.  They had all but stopped moving, content to simply sway in one place in time to the music.  She wondered at the brief glimpse of sadness that flitted through Jack’s eyes.  It was gone before he looked down at her and smiled.

“Yes, they do,” he answered.  “I was just thinking how proud of Hannah Michael would be if he could see the woman she’s grown into.”

“How would he feel about seeing the fulfillment of the prophecy; of laying the legend to rest?”

Jack gave this question due consideration, keeping his eyes on Donovan as she slowly leaned down to capture Hannah’s lips.  He watched for a moment longer; they all did until the embrace grew so intensely, passionately intimate that propriety demanded everyone look away and give the couple as much privacy as they could considering the circumstances.  He focused his attention strictly on Merryweather and answered her.

“Sad, happy, a little disconcerted, a little overwhelmed.  A lot like I do at this moment, I expect.”

Merry nodded her understanding.  “I can see that. It’s almost, I don’t know... bizarre to see something like this come to pass.  It’s something you hope for but never actually think you’ll have a chance to be a part of.”

Jack agreed silently though he certainly had other thoughts on the matter.  He didn’t share them though.  Doing so would have required a far greater and much more detailed explanation that he was able or willing to give.

The room felt Donovan and Hannah separate more than they heard anything, and almost as one body all eyes returned to the couple alone at the center of the dance floor.

Donovan stepped back from Hannah and dropped to one knee in front of her.  One hand flew to Hannah’s mouth when she realized Donovan’s intent.  The other was captured in Donovan’s hand, and Donovan gently caressed the appendage for a long moment while she swallowed hard and composed herself.  It seemed she had been aiming towards this for a long time, and now that it was upon her all her words had deserted her.

Hannah understood Donovan’s nervousness; it was similar to what she herself had felt when she realized that the legend was coming to life before her eyes.  Tenderly Hannah removed her hand from her mouth and reached down to cup Donovan’s chin. 

Donovan lifted her eyes to be met with love and compassion, and suddenly her nerves settled and she remembered everything she wanted to say.  She lifted Hannah’s hands to her lips and kissed them both before clearing her throat softly and starting to speak.

“Hannah, Beloved... legend has it that the Pirate Captain is destined to meet her future, fall in love and propose on the night of the Pirates Masquerade Ball.  That I would be able to walk right up to my heart’s desire and sweep her off her feet.”  The room was so silent that even breathing sounded harsh, and everyone heard Donovan swallow before she continued.  “But the legend never counted on us, did it?  It could not fathom the truth that is the two of us.” She smiled and grinned when Hannah smiled in return.  “It was entirely correct about us in some ways though.  You are my future; I did fall in love... deeply, passionately, irrevocably.”  She swallowed again and took a deep breath.  “So tonight in front of all these witnesses; in front of your family and friends; in front of my crew - I am asking you for my heart’s desire.  I am asking you to marry me and stay with me for the remainder of our days.”

Hannah swallowed hard, knowing the words were coming but unable to stop the thrill that ran through her when Donovan said them aloud.  She gently tugged on their joined hands and Donovan rose to her feet.  In words she knew only Donovan and Jack would completely understand, Hannah replied.

“Whether we share one lifetime or many - past, present or future we are soulmates.  I never believed in the concept until my dreams became my reality, and now I will do anything to keep the reality I have with you, Donovan.  Whatever life we share is perfect for me because we share it together.”

Donovan smiled rakishly at her.  “Does this mean yes?”

She reached up and untied Donovan’s mask, wanting to see her whole face when she answered the question.  “Oh yes, my love.  This means yes.  This means yes forever.”

Hannah pulled Donovan’s mouth to her own, and the ship’s Captain went with it to the cheering of everyone in the room.  She awkwardly managed to loosen the ties on Hannah’s own mask, and as soon as she could manage threw the offending bit of costume into the crowd without opening her eyes of breaking the kiss.

Jack reached out and caught the mask, and the party geared up to full speed.

************

It was an oddly eclectic bunch, and for this one night it was physically impossible to tell who belonged in the past and who belonged in the future.  At this time, in this place, everyone belonged to the here and now and only the present existed.  The torchlight made everyone look a little bit extraordinary, and except for the fact that some were dressed as pirates and others were dressed as islanders or colonists, there was no way to tell that the people coexisting in the room together were living in time periods one hundred and fifty or more years apart.

Jack smiled as he watched the interaction around him.  Except for himself, Hannah, and Donovan, no one knew the significance of what was happening.  Most saw it as fulfillment of a legend.  Only the three of them understood the immensity of the occasion, and of the three of them only he understood the true ramifications of what had and was happening.

For a very long time, to those watching at least, Hannah and Donovan stayed wrapped around each other on the small dance floor; not moving in time to the music around them, but swaying to a rhythm only the two of them could hear.

“They make such a striking couple,” Katie commented to Jack as they danced around the room together.  “You think I’ll be able to pry Donovan away to have a word with her?  I think I have earned the right to ask a few questions.”

Jack had to laugh at the almost plaintive whine that came from Katie.  He’d been fairly certain this would happen as soon as Donovan and Hannah were together here.  They had completely put everything but each other out of their reality and were wrapped together in their own little world.  And the need to interrogate Donovan was about to overwhelm Katie.

“Calm down, Katie.  Hannah knows you wanna talk to Donovan.  I’m certain she’ll make sure you get a chance to talk to her.”  Katie looked at him skeptically, and Jack chuckled again.  “Then again, maybe not.  Given what she and the boys did to Frank....”

“Exactly,” Katie replied sardonically before watching the couple leave the dance floor and walk out onto the cooler veranda.

************

“Are you all right, Angel?  We have to leave shortly, you know,” Donovan commented softly as they made their way to the outdoor porch.  The meetinghouse had become unbearably stuffy and Hannah had finally asked Donovan if they could get some fresh air.  One look at Hannah’s flushed face had convinced Donovan of the need to get outside post haste.

“Yes, Love.  I’m fine.  It was just getting warm in there and this dress is much harder to manage than I ever expected it to be.  I didn’t realize the yards and yards of material it took just to be considered properly attired in your day and age.  I could easily give up the finery of a lady for the comfort of a man’s clothes.”

Donovan nodded her understanding.  “Yes, I was not unhappy to give up the layers upon layer of clothing required to be a lady, and I gave them up long before I ever had to actually wear them.  I never understood the point of making women so direly uncomfortable for the sake of looking proper.  Where is the practicality in that?”

Hannah leaned forward and captured Donovan’s lips in her own.  “I love you, and I like the way you think.”

Donovan returned the gesture wholeheartedly before pulling back for air.  “Shall I get you something to drink, Beloved?  You look quite flushed again.”

“I’ll bet... I feel pretty flushed right about now.”

“Let me get you something cool to drink then.  It will give you a chance to cool off before we have to go in again to say our goodbyes.”

“You take such good care of me, Donovan.”

“It is my honor and my privilege, Hannah, and one I intend to have for the rest of my life.  I have something to give you when I return.”  Then without another word, Donovan turned and made her way back inside the meetinghouse.

Katie saw her opportunity to talk to Donovan alone when she stepped back across the threshold.  She followed Donovan to the drink table and waited until she picked up two glasses of punch before she approached her.  “Donovan?  Excuse me... Captain Scott?  May I have a word with you privately?”

Donovan turned her attention to the woman addressing her, her brow furrowing as she tried to place her in her memory. Finally she asked, “I’m sorry... do I know you, madam?”

“No, Captain.  We’ve not been formally introduced.”  She offered her hand.  “I am Katie, Hannah’s friend.  I thought we could talk a minute.”

Donovan acknowledged her greeting with a nod, then held up the cups to show why she didn’t accept the proffered hand.  “If you would like to come along with me to take this to Hannah, you would be welcome.  Otherwise I am sorry, but I will not leave her alone to converse with you, no.”

Katie couldn’t help but be impressed with Donovan’s devotion to Hannah and nodded her acceptance of Donovan’s terms.  She followed Donovan back out the door, lagging a step or two behind to observe their interaction again.  Donovan offered Hannah a cup of punch that was received with a grateful smile.  Then Donovan said something and motioned behind her, indicating Katie’s presence in the doorway.  Hannah looked directly at Katie, then nodded to Donovan reluctantly.  Donovan took her hand and sat down, and Katie made her way forward to them.

For a long moment there was silence as Katie reflected on the obvious devotion that ran between them.  Though newly married herself, she recognized what they had between them as something rare and special; something so many couples even those deeply in love were not fortunate enough to encounter, much less experience in their lifetime.

“It’s the real thing, isn’t it?” she finally murmured, looking between them.  “What you have together, what you share is not put on or made up, is it?”

“Did you think it would be, Katie?” Hannah asked with disappointment clear in her tone.  “Did you think that because we are both women it would be any less real than it is for you and Frank?”

The hurt in Hannah’s voice cut through both Katie and Donovan deeply though for different reasons.  Donovan could feel the ire rising in her blood, and it was only Hannah’s hand in her own that kept her grounded.  For Katie, the mistrust was painful, and she was impelled to answer the charges.

“No, Hannah.  No!  You know me better than that.  I didn’t mean it to come out the way it sounded.”  She lifted her fingers to her lips and took a deep breath.  “What you have is beyond love, Hannah.  It is all that and more, and I’m so happy for you.  You held out for your heart’s desire and you found one another because of it.”

Hannah lifted Donovan’s hand to her lips and caressed it gently with her lips.  “You’re right, Katie.“  She spoke to Katie but she never took her eyes off Donovan.  “What we have is beyond imagination, beyond price, and I’m glad I waited for it.  It’s incomparable.”

Katie turned to see Donovan’s reaction.  Donovan lifted her free hand to cup Hannah’s cheek, and she in turn kissed their joined hands.  “Yes, it is,” she whispered, her gaze never leaving Hannah’s face.

“Um, Captain Scott?  Donovan?”  Katie waited until the blue eyes tracked to her and she was certain she had Donovan’s attention.  “Can I ask you something... best friend to perspective suitor?”

“You may ask.  I do not have to answer.”

Katie nodded in acknowledgement.  “Very true, but I think you will.”  She giggled at the raised eyebrow, not the response that action usually elicited.  “I want to know your intentions, Captain.  Hannah has been my best friend all our lives, and I want some assurances she will be taken care of.”

Donovan rose to her full height, towering over Katie and glaring down at her.  Katie didn’t flinch or step back, earning her a surprising smile from Donovan before the Captain pulled Hannah up to stand beside her.  She wrapped an arm snugly around the trim waist and stood as closely as the dress would allow.

“There are no guarantees in life, Katie, but I promise you I will love, honor and protect her forever and beyond.  She gives my life meaning and joy, and I intend to bring the same to her in return.  Is that satisfactory?”

Katie stood still without speaking for another long moment, then lifted up on her tiptoes and kissed first Donovan and then Hannah on the cheek.  “That is more than satisfactory.  It is a beautiful sentiment, and I hope it is something you are both able to make a reality for one another.  You have my blessing and my wishes for a long and happy life together.”

She stepped away and found her hand caught in Hannah’s free one.  “Thank you, Katie.  That means so much to me.”

“You’re my best friend, Hannah.  It’s wonderful to see you finally settled and at peace.  You’d better keep in touch though.  I don’t want to lose my connection with you either just because you are across the ocean.”

“I will, Katie.  We should only be gone a few months.  I promise you will get to hear about everything as soon as we get home.”

They embraced again, and Katie was gaze was snared by Donovan’s.  “Thank you for caring about her, Katie,” Donovan said softly.  “I am glad to know Hannah has a friend like you who looks after her best interests.”

“Keep her happy, Donovan,” she advised again, taking another step towards the door.

“I will, Katie.  I will do my very best for her.”

“That is all I can ask then.  Safe journey to you both,” she said before crossing the threshold and rejoining the party that was still in progress.

Hannah and Donovan turned to face each other then, embracing again before Donovan pulled away and extended both hands towards Hannah.  Hannah accepted them without thought and followed easily as Donovan led the way to the door. 

“I think it is time for us to go, Angel.  It is time to begin our journey and our lives together.”

“Together,” Hannah commented as she allowed herself to be pulled along into the meetinghouse.  “I do so like the sound of that.”

Part 4