~ Fade To Black ~

by

Beverley Bateman 

He slithered in front of her, blocking her escape. “You want a man to be assertive and take you. Then you can keep pretending you’re not really that type. I like that. Don’t worry. I’ll force you. I do it very well. Prepare to enjoy it. I’m going to take you tonight and you’re going to love it.” He yanked her roughly against his chest and shoved her into a corner, sliding his hand under her skirt and forcing his tongue into her mouth.

Hallie pulled one arm free and shot it at his jaw. Jack looked shocked.

“There you are. I thought you promised to meet me for a drink?”

Jack dropped his hands immediately, spinning around to face the speaker, who was approaching them. “What the hell...?”

Eric put his hand out toward Hallie. “I don’t like being stood up. Shall we?”

“Oh, of-of course. I’m sorry about that.” Hallie took his arm, staggering slightly as she escaped Jack’s clutches, one hand straightening her skirt. She allowed Eric’s arm to circle her waist. As he led her away she rubbed her other hand, which hurt from connecting with Jack’s jaw.

Jack stood watching them depart, his eyes smoldering with anger, his chin jutting forward. “We’ll finish this later,” he hissed after her.

“Did we have a date, Dr. Peterson?” Hallie asked, breathless and still confused.

“No, and call me Eric. I saw what he was doing and you didn’t appear to be enjoying it. My God, woman, don’t you have any idea how to handle a situation like that? And how the hell did you get yourself into that position in the first place? I didn’t take you for a stupid woman.”

“I’m not stupid,” Hallie sniffed. “But you’re right. I feel pretty dumb right now. I don’t know how I got myself into that situation. Jack out maneuvered me. It didn’t matter what I did he wouldn’t give up. He kept telling me he knew what I really wanted.” Hallie trembled, stumbling as they walked away. “He didn’t, you know. I didn’t want anything to do with him.”

Eric pulled her closer to keep her from falling.

“I suggest you stay away from him in the future. I might not be around to save you next time. Are you sure you’re all right?” Eric stopped and frowned as he looked down at her.

“Yes, I think so. I’m fine, now, really. And don’t worry. I don’t plan to let him anywhere near me again.” Hallie sniffed again, chewing her lower lip.

“Good.”

“He was so rough. I kicked and scratched and even yelled at him to leave me alone. Nothing worked and no one paid any attention when I yelled. I-I think he was going to try and make love to me right here on the deck. Thank you for rescuing me.” Hallie turned, out of the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of tall attractive redhead watching them. The woman shot Hallie an angry look, then turned and stomped off toward the bar.

“You looked terrified. I couldn’t believe you’d let him grope you like that.” Eric snapped.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stop him. I did punch him and I even managed to draw blood at one point,” she offered with some satisfaction.

“You need to learn to throw a better punch than that if you want to do any damage.”

“Maybe you could teach me?”

Eric shook his head, “I just don’t get it. How could you let him? I mean you didn’t look very happy about the situation. I could see that--so Eric to the rescue. By the way, he wanted sex, he didn’t want to make love to you, trust me. There is definitely a difference. Don’t you remember anything about relationships? Or appropriate behavior between men and women?”

“Nope.”

“You can’t remember anything about how you reacted in the past?” Eric stared at her.

“How could I? I don’t remember my past. How would I know how I reacted? And maybe no one has ever tried to rape me before. I don’t know. Give me a break. I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Good. I hope so. So no knowledge at all about what happens on a date?”

Hallie tried to figure out what he was thinking. “No, not really; conversation, eating, doing some kind of activity I guess. I’m going to have to learn that process all over again, except, it’s going to be harder because when you’re an adult you’re supposed to know what it’s all about. People expect that you know the games and the rules. Jack certainly thought I did. I feel like a child trying to play grown up games.”

“I guess I am going to have to give you lessons.” Eric smiled down at her, warming her with his smile. “Can I buy you a drink?”

“No, thank you. You don’t have to. I’m fine now. Were you with someone when you noticed my difficulty?”

“Why?”

“Because I saw a lady standing a few feet from you when we walked away from Jack. She looked really mad, and I think those were daggers she was shooting in my direction.”

“The redhead?”

“That’s the one.”

“Well, yes. I was sort of with her. She cornered me on deck, and I offered to buy her a drink. That’s all. I think she read more into it than I meant. So, in a way, maybe you saved me, too.” Eric continued to smile.

“Somehow, I doubt that. She had a great figure.”

“Really? I’d hardly noticed.”

“Yeah, right.” Hallie managed a weak grin.

“You’re still shaking. Come on, over here where it’s quiet.” Eric found a sheltered corner, away from most of the passengers. “Sit down, Doctors’ orders. I’ll be right back with two drinks. You could use something to relax you. They have special sail-away drinks. Will that be all right with you?” He slipped his uniform jacket off, draping it around her shoulders, over her shawl.

“Sounds great, but it’s not necessary.” She felt warmer in the jacket and his musky male scent enveloped her head. It was pleasant and sexual. She knew didn’t react to all men’s scent this way. Glancing up, she noticed his lip curled slightly as he smiled.

“Yeah, it is. Keep the jacket. I’ll be right back.”

Hallie sat stiffly, forcing herself to take deep, calming breaths. She leaned back slightly, and Eric’s jacket slipped to the deck. Bending to pick it up she felt rather than heard a buzzing sound, something like a mosquito, around her left ear.

Strange.

Turning as she sat back up she noticed a hole in the back of the deck chair.

Funny, I don’t remember it being there before I picked up the jacket.

She ran her finger over the hole and shrugged, turning her attention toward Eric as he approached.

“Here we go.” Eric carried a couple of tall, colorful drinks consisting of a mixture of red, orange, and yellow colors and topped off with parasols. “What were you doing?”

“I’m not really sure. There was a funny sound, like a mosquito, and I think this hole just appeared.” Hallie shrugged her shoulders.

“What the hell...?” Eric dropped the drinks onto a nearby table, moving Hallie to one side. He ran his finger over the hole. “It’s a bloody bullet hole.”

“A what? You’re kidding?”

“No, I’m not. Where were you when it happened?” Eric looked at the hole, squinting back in the direction it would have come from.

“I guess that’s when I bent down to pick up your jacket.”

“My God, you could have been killed.” Eric turned back, pulling Hallie up into his arms, squeezing her against his chest. “You’re sure you’re all right?”

“I think so. I mean, I wasn’t hit or anything. I just can’t figure out what’s happening. This has to be one of the worst nights of my life.” Hallie relaxed against Eric’s strong, muscular chest, feeling secure and safe, although she wasn’t sure why.

“I’ll report this to the Captain, make sure it gets to the right authorities.”

“Uh, uh, uh...” Hallie couldn’t speak. Her eyes widened as she realized the implications. She shivered as ice water dripped slowly through her veins.

What’s happening to me? What if that was really a push earlier and now this--someone taking a shot at me? Why? What kind of person am I that someone wants me dead?

“Are you sure you’re going to be all right?”

Hallie started to shake, her teeth chattering.

Eric tipped her chin up, brushing her hair gently off her face. He kissed her forehead. “It’s okay. I’m here. It’s okay.” He moved his hands gently over her shoulders, checking for any injuries.

“I-I don’t understand. Was that an accident?”

“Somehow, I don’t think so. There aren’t a lot of gunshot accidents on the deck.” Eric stroked her cheek gently, trying to calm her.

“You mean someone deliberately--but why?”

“Maybe it has to do with your past?”

“But I don’t have a past. How could that have anything to do with it?” Hallie felt her lower lip trembling and blinked her eyes rapidly.

“Maybe they’re afraid you’ll remember your past and want to make sure you don’t. Or maybe you made some enemies in your past. Who knows? We’ll probably have to wait until your memory returns to find out. Now sit down.” Eric kissed her cheeks and gently pushed her into a chair away from the railing.

“Eric, I don’t understand,” Hallie shook her head.

“Neither do I. Here, take a sip. It’ll help calm you.”

“What exactly is it?” Hallie took a sip and felt it burn all the way down her throat. Somewhere she remembered something like this. Her body appeared to want it and at the same time she felt she shouldn’t be drinking it.

“I have absolutely no idea. I think they’re all rum-based, but that’s about the extent of my knowledge about the ships’ drinks. Good, you’re getting your color back. Are you feeling better?”

“Yes, much better, thank you. It’s too much for me to cope with all at once--first Jack, then a gunshot. I even had a flashback in between. It left me just a little disorientated. Maybe it was Jack shooting at me?”

Eric took her hand and held it lightly stroking the back. “I doubt it was Jack. Even a rejected suitor doesn’t usually go for a gun, at least not immediately.”

“But then who? And why? Do you have to report it? I feel a little foolish, not even knowing why someone might do something like that. Maybe I’m a horrible person who deserves to be shot and that’s why no one reported me missing? Maybe that’s why I can’t remember anything--I don’t want to remember.” Hallie found tears slipping down her cheeks and onto Eric’s shirt.

“I’m sure that’s not the reason. And yes, I certainly have to report it. We need to check and see who’s onboard that might be capable of this.”

“If you say so,” Hallie mumbled into his chest.

“Look, I don’t know why anyone would do this to you. It might have been aimed at someone else or maybe you do have a criminal past. Until you get your memory back we’ll probably never know. You just try to forget about it for now. There’s nothing you can do.”

“I guess you’re right,” Hallie let a sigh slip between her lips.

“Good. Now I think that’s about enough for today. I’m taking you back to your room. You need a good night’s sleep.” He tipped her head back again so he could wipe away a tear that was forming. “Are you beginning to remember?”