neva had woken slightly, aware enough to hear her first mate come in. she never opened her eyes but knew exactly where she was. neva wondered what eleanor was doing in there, hoping she didnt plan on steeling anything. shed grown quite close with the woman
Eleanor's steps were soft and chosen. She approached the mirror Neva had hung beside the window and stared into it. Looking back at her were dark brown eyes that the sun illuminated into warm orbs. She blinked and sighed quietly, thinking of Sally's words. "You don't even care about the crew," she'd said. "You never talk to any of them. Do you even know their names?"
Eleanor turned and looked at Neva sleeping. The shunning of her crewmates wasn't intended. Over the past months, she'd had begun to develop certain… feelings for Neva. Eleanor was a woman who craved attention, and she was willing to do a lot to get it. Even if it meant ignoring everyone on the ship but Neva. And Sally, who she had to deal with. She'd never brought up her emotions to Neva, however. She wasn't sure what the captain would say, and she didn't want to risk losing their friendship.
Slowly, Eleanor looked away from the mirror and back at Neva. "What am I doing?" she whispered to herself. "Pull yourself together, Eleanor." With a sigh, she paced quietly back over to the door. Before opening it, she hesitated.
" if you want to talk, im all ears." neva said, lifting her head up and standing shakily " i know theres something on your chest eleanor." she said softly and sat on her desk to brace herself off her bad leg.
Eleanor whipped around, her eyes widening at Neva's words. "What? No." Her back hit the door, and she stammered for words – something Eleanor O'Hara never did. "I-I… It… I should… Uh, you… you were awake?" she finally asked lightly. "The whole time?"
" no, just when you stepped closer," she said and yawned.
Eleanor felt her heart racing. Calm down, calm down, calm down, she begged herself. "Oh. I'm sorry I woke you up, Captain…"
neva gave a soft smile " its aright eleanor, its not the end of the world if my crew wakes me up. promise." she said and grabbed her drink filled with water.
Eleanor nodded and slowly walked over to Neva. "How are you?" she asked softly.
" tired." she mumbled, her soft smile never leaving
"Then I am very sorry for waking you up," Eleanor murmured with a quiet laugh. "Could I help?"
" knock me out maybe?" she joked.
Eve chuckled. "I couldn't do that to you," she said, looking at Neva with a veiled expression. Her lips were smiling, but her eyes held more.
Neva have a interested look. " You wouldn't? " She asked as she stepped closer
Eleanor flushed rapidly. "Yes. No. Wait…" She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them once she'd collected her thoughts. "Only if you really wanted me to."
Neva chuckled, coming closer until the were inches apart. " So, what on you mind?"
Eleanor's breath caught in her throat. "Nothing," she whispered. She wasn't lying. Her mind had gone blank when Neva had closed the distance between them. The captain's sparkling blue eyes were intoxicating.
Neva chuckled, her sly smile framed on her face " you sure?"
Eleanor's heartbeat practically shook her entire body. "No," she breathed.
" so you'd tell me if something was up?"
Eleanor closed her eyes and answered hesitantly. "Of course, Captain."
" okay" She said and walked away. Neva knew she was holding back something
Her eyes opened, and she let out a quiet sigh. Damn it, she couldn't help but think.
Sally had just finished her beer and walked over to get another one but stopped at the captain's door. She saw the mop leaning next to the door way. god danm it Eleanor she knocked on the captain's door and waited an answer.
" come in!" Nevas louder voice was strained, and clearly tired. She walked around her cabin, clearly looking for something
Eleanor moved to the side so whoever was at the door could enter. What she would give to redo that moment.
Sally walked in "Terribly sorry captain just came to remind Eleanor that she still needs to finish mopping the deck." She looked directly at Eleanor as she said this.
" i thought i said help the crew, not give problems."
Eleanor winced slightly. "I was," she insisted. "I just…" wanted to tell you how deeply in love with you I am.
" you just what?" she asked and finally found the things she was looking for. it was her bag and the maps shed recently made.
"Wanted to… talk to you," Eleanor replied hesitantly. She didn't want to say much else with Sally in the room with them.