Sat, May 19 2012
As Phileas rested, recuperating from his efforts, he gently stroked Carlotta's back as she laid her hands upon his chest. Reflecting upon what had happened, Phileas smiled and felt happier than he had in a very long time. This felt right, he thought, this felt good.
"Carlotta," Phileas said softly. "I love you."
Carlotta peered up at him. "Truly?"
Nodding, Phileas answered, "Truly."
Smiling, Carlotta sighed happily. "Phileas, quiero permanencer con usted como esto siempre. Usted es la estrella que alumbra mi noche y la casa esto me dirige a combinado. Te amo."
His mind attempted to translate her words. However, his recent exertions and the pain from his wound prevented him from thinking clearly enough to work it through. He knew Spanish, he thought to himself, why could he not perform this simple task? Instead, he requested her to translate her words for him.
Kissing his chest, Carlotta said, "Phileas, I want to remain with you like this always. You are the star that lights my night, and the home it guides me to combined. I love you."
Filled with love and longing, Phileas embraced Carlotta even tighter, kissing her hair. "My dear," he breathed.
Eventually, Carlotta picked herself up off of Phileas and stood up. He took the chance and soaked up her nubile naked beauty once more. As she gathered up her clothes and began dressing herself, Phileas sat up and leaned his back against the headboard of Rebecca's bed.
Rebecca's bed.
Oh, good Lord, thought Phileas. This is going to take a lot of explaining.
Hastily, he eased himself to the edge of the bed, swinging his legs over the side, and planting his hands on the bed to steady himself. His head swam from the turbulent emotions and exertions of the past few hours. Carlotta, by now fully clothed, hurried to his side, touching his arm.
"Gently, my dear Phileas," she said quickly. "I will help you get dressed."
He thanked her, and together they proceeded to put his clothing back on his person. The torn right leg of his trousers was still lying unattached upon the ground, and there was nothing they could do about it right now. They left it there, and, with Carlotta easing Phileas to a standing position, they turned and surveyed the bed.
Apart from a minor bloodstain on one edge of the bedspread, and a ridiculous amount of wrinkling, Rebecca's bed appeared normal. Leaning down to inspect the bloodstain, Phileas sniffed as he noticed an odd odor. He sniffed again, tracing the smell to its source. The poor bedspread. It was emanating the scents of their recent lovemaking.
Phileas shook his head. He feared no amount of explaining could excuse this. Instead, he hurriedly grasped one edge of the spread and pulled it off. He turned to Carlotta and thrust the material into her hands.
"We must find another bedspread, Carlotta, or else I will catch holy hell from my cousin!" Phileas said urgently.
Carlotta looked confused as she crossed to a wardrobe on the far side of the bedroom. With a tiny delighted cry of "Ah!" she turned and revealed to Phileas the freshly pressed linens within. She happily pulled out a nearly identical bedspread and threw it at Phileas, who deftly caught it. As Phileas struggled to place the spread neatly upon the bed, Carlotta shoved its predecessor inside the wardrobe and slammed it shut. She hurried over to join Phileas, and together they smoothed out the bedspread. Standing back from the bed, the two lovers smiled and proudly assessed their work.
"Well done, Carlotta," Phileas said reverently. "Well done, indeed."
Carlotta shrugged humbly. "It is only a simple bedspread."
Facing her, Phileas grasped Carlotta's hands, bringing them up to his mouth and lightly kissing both of them. "No, my dear." More kisses. "For what you did just before."
Carlotta blushed furiously, turning away slightly. "I feel it is I who must thank you, Phileas. You were... amazing. Generous, selfless, passionate... Words fail me."
Phileas bowed extravagantly and laughed. He gestured for her to exit the bedroom, and as she headed for the main cabin, he limped to his own room and collected a spare walking stick. Rejoining Carlotta in the main cabin, Phileas moved to her side, holding out an arm. "Shall we?"
"To the authorities?" Carlotta asked.
"Of course. These ruffians must be taken into custody."
As they exited the Aurora, heading for the nearest constabulary, Phileas turned to Carlotta. "Did you know those men?"
Looking over at Phileas, she shook her head. "No, I did not. Please believe me."
"I do, my love... I do."
*
They returned a short time later to the Aurora, with several officers in tow. The policemen gathered up the intruders, who were still unconscious, and rushed the two with the gunshot wounds away to the nearest hospital. The ringleader of the group, whom Phileas had dubbed "Clock", regained his consciousness just as he was being carried out of the airship.
Clock's eyes flicked open, and almost immediately they locked upon Carlotta. His face an angry frown, Clock snarled at her. "You are a dead woman! You think they will let you live now that you know? After what you've seen? Do you?"
"All right, mate," one of the officers said harshly. "Shut it. Only making it worse for yourself, y'know." He turned to Carlotta and touched the brim of his hat. "Pardon, ma'am."
Carlotta nodded politely as she clung to Phileas who stood next to her.
The police departed with their prisoner, and left Carlotta and Phileas alone in the dirigible's main cabin.
"Well," said Phileas. "I think we need to have another chat with Chatsworth, don't you?"
"Chatsworth?"
"Head of the British Secret Service."
"Oh. Yes, I suppose so." Carlotta looked forlornly down at her hands. "I imagine they will need to take me into protective custody."
"They will do no such thing!" Phileas said vehemently.
"No?"
"No. I intend to look after you myself."
Carlotta blinked.
Noting her surprise, Phileas smiled. "I could not bear the thought of you being out of my sight. Not for one single minute."
Carlotta's hand flew to her mouth as it opened in an "O" of shock. "Does this mean..."
Nodding, Phileas' smile increased exponentially. "It means, my dear Carlotta Valiente, that I love you. I... I... I am at a loss for words. And very few have ever done that to me."
Carlotta threw her arms around him, enveloping him in a tight squeeze. Her hug nearly took his breath away.
"And I love you, Phileas Fogg!" she breathed in his ear. "I love you."
They hugged for some time, caressing each other's backs as they held one another. Phileas broke off the embrace and looked in her eyes. "Where do you want to go?"
Carlotta frowned, once more confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Phileas said, gesturing around him. "This is an airship. It is designed to go places. I shall take you away from here, and away from any men intent on harming you." Phileas smiled as Carlotta's eyes widened, her glee evident upon her happy face.
"And it is such a beautiful airship, Phileas," Carlotta gushed. "I would go anywhere with you."
"Name the destination, my dear," Phileas prompted gently.
Carlotta pursed her lips, thinking hard. Soon she had her answer and grinned wickedly at Phileas. "Well, I have always wanted to spend time in the South Pacific!"
"The South Pacific it is, then!" Phileas announced grandly. "First we must collect Passepartout, and then we shall be on our way." He headed for the door with Carlotta in tow.
Suddenly, the hatchway burst open, and a woman rushed inside, slamming the door shut behind herself.
"Oooh, that man is infuriating!" the newcomer growled. She stopped short as she noticed the pair standing in front of her in the cabin. "Oh, pardon me!" She looked quickly back and forth between Phileas and Carlotta. Phileas fought to keep a grin inside, and was nearly successful. "Phileas? Who is this?"
Phileas gestured gallantly to his companion. "Rebecca Fogg, may I introduce my very great friend, Senora Carlotta Valiente. Carlotta, may I introduce my cousin, Miss Rebecca Fogg."
The two women curtsied to each other.
"I have heard so much about you, Miss Fogg," Carlotta said amiably.
Cocking an eyebrow, Rebecca looked closely at Carlotta. "Have you indeed?" She glanced suspiciously at Phileas.
Phileas attempted to look innocent. "It is a long story. I shall explain later."
"Ah," Rebecca replied, her tone implying she wasn't quite satisfied. She looked frostily at Carlotta, who smiled sweetly back at her.
"As a matter of fact, Carlotta and I were just about to depart on a journey, Rebecca, so if you wouldn't mind..." Phileas attempted to lead Rebecca back towards the door and send her on her way.
"Were you indeed?" Rebecca asked, still suspicious. "And where were the two of you thinking of running away to?"
Phileas opened his mouth to dismiss his cousin, but Carlotta spoke first. "The South Pacific! Isn't it exciting? I cannot wait to explore and discover who knows what on those islands!"
"Discover?"
"I am an archaeologist, Miss Fogg. Oh! Would you like to come with us?"
Phileas attempted to speak again, but was cut off this time by Rebecca. "I would be delighted! What a simply grand idea. Thank you, Senora Valiente."
"Actually, Rebecca," Phileas finally managed to say, "don't you have that meeting with that gentleman? What was his name, Alexander something?"
"Alexander Howard," Rebecca replied, "as well you know, Phileas. No, I don't, as a matter of fact. I've just come from him, the scoundrel."
"Ah." Phileas looked crestfallen, and searched desperately or another excuse to get rid of his cousin. "Any assignments or missions you are currently undertaking?"
"As it so happens, I am completely unbooked. I shall take some time off, I think I've earned a bit of a holiday."
Frowning, Phileas resigned himself to defeat. "Very well," he said glumly. "You may join us."
"Excellent!" Rebecca enthused, shaking Carlotta's hand. "I can't wait to get to know you!" She headed down the passageway, but stopped and turned to the pair. "Oh! Shall we collect Jules as well? I know he'd be simply delighted to join us for an island getaway."
Phileas rolled his eyes frustratedly as Carlotta answered. "A friend of yours?"
"He's a Frenchman," Rebecca explained. "And a writer!"
"Oh, I simply adore writers! Yes, we must have him join us, don't you think, Phileas, honey?"
Ignoring Rebecca's amused look at Carlotta's use of the word "honey", Phileas smiled bleakly at the woman at his side. "As you wish, Carlotta."
"Excellent!" Rebecca said again. She moved happily down the corridor and entered her bedroom.
Phileas and Carlotta glanced at one another nervously, slowly edging their way towards the exit.
A moment later, Rebecca's head popped out from the doorway to her room. "Phileas Fogg! What *have* you been up to in my bedroom?!" she cried out angrily.
"We're off to collect Passepartout," Carlotta said hurriedly, grabbing for the handle of the door leading outside.
Phileas rushed after Carlotta, throwing a casual "Back later!" over his shoulder as Rebecca stormed down the passageway towards them. He slammed the door shut behind him, and he and Carlotta rushed away from the airship, Phileas limping from his still-sore leg wound, Carlotta giving him a shoulder to lean on as he moved.
They made their way down the avenue of sunlight and trees, laughing as they strolled along in love.
THE END
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Part 7 | Part 8