Lost Paradise

She stood on the beach with her arms folded as she watched the crew cleaning the ship from top to bottom, scrubbing the deck to fixing the sails and the mighty black Pirate flag that hung proudly and waved in the warm breeze. Waves washed against the shore soothingly as the sun bore down hotly, causing a bead of sweat to slip down the side of her neck. Annoyed, she swiped it away and sighed heavily as she waited for the Captain, who had told her to meet him here. He was overseeing his ship to make sure everything was going as planned and his members were actually getting the work done.

His voice towered over the waves and those of his men. "You missed a spot, Wendel! What does this look like, a Carnival? Stop lazing about and do it right, you dunce!"

Arrow rolled her eyes and shifted her stance impatiently on the hot white sand while she waited. She was annoyed further while he took his sweet, merry old time and she hummed with frustration until she spotted him making his way over leisurely. She tapped her bare foot with impatience as he approached and flashed her a wicked grin.

"Pussy cat, whatever is the matter?" he asked tauntingly and she pierced him with a warning glare, that made him surprised he didn't spontaneously combust into flames.

"Do not call me pussy cat and you know damn well why I'm angry," she said sternly as she resumed glaring at him and he gave a cheery laugh, tilting his head to regard her merrily.

"I'm sorry, darling. I wasn't planning on making you wait so long, but you know the men. They can't do anything without supervision," he said, casting a glare over his shoulder to the ship where Jack had taken over his place, yelling at the crew and shaking his fist warningly.

Arrow couldn't help but snort with laughter at seeing the big broad man who she always saw smile and joke around, play the tough guy. Feeling the Captain's eyes on her, she wiped the smile from her face and turned to him coolly.

"What exactly is it you wanted with me?" she asked and narrowed her eyes suspiciously when she saw that gleam she knew all too well.

"Well, I asked you to meet me here because we are going on a little trip around the island. I thought that since you've been here for quite a while, you should see the place you are living in," he said with a light shrug and Arrow narrowed her eyes further, wondering if this was a plot. She had already formed her own plan and couldn't wait to excute it. He would be so shocked and torn, it delighted her to know she would be able to witness it.

"You want to show me the rest of the island?" she asked curiously, unable to hide the fact she had been thinking about exploring if he had made her wait any longer. She looked to the side to the large rolling hills in the background covered in lush forestry and the Captain smiled.

"Yes, there are tons of places I want to show you that I know you will love," he said honestly, suddenly a boyish man who eagerly took her hand and began pulling her down a secluded path.

He stopped a stump and removed his heavy jacket and hat, setting them aside and stood in his tunic and leggings, his sword belted to his side. His black hair curled to the collar of his tunic and gleamed in the sunlight, taking her breath away unexpectedly. My god, the man oozed sex from every pore. She fixed her thoughts and pushed the lust and attraction to the back of her mind as he smiled and beckoned to her.

Together, they made their way through the forest while he showed her different plants and herbs, telling her what they were and wasn't surprised when she recognized most of them. They delved deeper into the foliage until they came to a glistening pond of tranlucent water and Arrow frowned and knelt down to get a closer look. There, reflecting in the sunlight, floated tiny gold flecks in the water and her mouth opened in awe. She scooped up some water and rose, holding it so the flecks glittered and she smiled brightly.

"This is amazing! Is this really floating gold flecks?" she asked curiously as she let the water drop back into the pond, sending ripples of glistening waves over the calm surface.

The Captain gave a shrug. "I honestly have no idea. The water has always been this way and we haven't bothered trying to figure out what it is."

He knelt down and pointed to the bottom where a tiny shadow could be seen beneath the surface near the bottom of the pond and Arrow lifted a brow.

"Do you see that opening?" he asked with a grin, their heads close together side by side, one like midnight, the other an open flame.

She nodded and tilted her head. "It must lead somewhere. Does it?" she asked with raised eyebrows as she turned to him and he grinned.

Rising to his feet, he removed his shoes and Arrow felt her heart speed up in anticipation. Seems they were going for a swim. She rose and removed her garments, leaving her in leggings wrap around shirt she wore beneath her tunic. Joining hands, they dove into the cool water and swam to the bottom where they slipped into the shadowed tunnel.

Arrow was glad she had taken all of those swimming lessons and able to hold her breath for such a long time. It took what seemed like forever to reach the other side and soon slipped into another pond filled with gold flecks and made a break for the surface. She inhaled sharply and brushed the wet hair from her face, her eyes gazing around the cave they had discovered. Her breaths were quick and her heart raced from lack of oxygen, but the sight before her stole it all away.

The cave was huge with a high ceiling and formations of colorful Aragonite and Calcite while long and thick Stalactites and Stalagmites forming from the roof of the cave to the floor. The sound of dripping water echoed the chamber and the bright water reflected into the cave to shed light. The Aragonite and Calcite glowed brilliantly in the light coming from the pond and Arrow touched one gently in wonder and amazement.

"Wow," she said softly, her voice carrying through the empty cave and turned to the Captain who grinned, soaking wet and looking hotter than ever. She cleared her throat and resumed her exploration while he followed.

"You don't want to go too far, you will get lost and nobody will be able to find you. Believe me," he said with a lifted brow as Arrow ignored him. She knew the dangers of caves and the chances of getting lost so she strayed no further than where the light reached.

"This is absolutely amazing," she breathed as she returned to the pond and Xavier grinned.

"It's only the beginning, my dear," he said mischeviously.

Arrow looked at him carefully through narrowed eyes.

What does he have up his sleeve?