JillxSkye: To Catch A Thief 9

Chapter 9: The Ocean

Later that night, I returned to the dig site. I did not rest before coming, and I was determined to stay on high alert the entire time. I refused to have a repeat of the night at the bar. "Hey guys, I'm here!" I called before entering the tent.

"Hello, Jill, glad to see you here. He still hasn't come yet, so we'll have to wait a bit longer. But we must not let out guard down!" Carter said excitedly. I nodded in agreement.

We waited for awhile, but nothing happened. The clock in the tent showed that it was nearly 1 o'clock, far later than when Skye said he would come.

"Phantom Skye still hasn't shown up," Flora said, worry etched on her face. She twirled a finger around a lock of her strawberry blonde hair. I was sure I also appeared worried, but I knew it was because I was concerned about Skye. Why would he be late? What if something had happened? "Maybe he forgot about that note he sent," she suggested.

Realization bloomed on Carter's face. "That dirty thief! He could be stealing goods from the dig site this very moment! Let's move, Flora! Jill, we need you to stay here just in case." I nodded, but uneasiness quickly filled me. It seemed like it was a repeat of the night at the bar. Carter and Flora exited the tent, and I stood alert, watching the entrance with complete concentration. He would not catch me off my guard tonight.

It only took a few seconds before Skye appeared. He sauntered into the tent, confident that he had outsmarted the two archaeologists. "I thought they would never leave!" When he noticed me standing there, he smirked and said, "Hehe. Hello beautiful, I had a feeling we'd meet tonight." He stepped towards me and I stepped back, carefully watching his every move. I narrowed my eyes, and my gaze darted fearfully to his hands. "Don't be nervous. I won't use my magic here," he said quietly.

I looked at him with uncertainty. "Then what do you want, Skye? You won't be getting past me tonight, I promise you." I tried to sound strong, but my voice faltered at the end.

Smiling at my apprehension, he said, "I sent a note today, but I'm not here to steal anything. I came to see you, Jill." My nervousness increased at his words. Is this a trick? Doubt must have been evident on my face, because he smiled sadly. "Jill," he said softly. I looked at him, confused as to why his voice changed when he said my name. Shaking his head, he continued, "I was hoping you'd spend some time with me."

My first thought was to shout for Carter and Flora. But the other part of my mind stopped me from doing that. This was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. This could be my chance to find out more about him, which could play to my advantage later on. "I'd love to," I heard myself say. And while the rational part of my mind was satisfied with my idea, the dreamy part was happy about simply spending time with Skye. It was funny how that worked out.

Skye smiled genuinely and said, "Hehe. Thank you. Why don't we go somewhere else? Those two could be back any minute." He extended his hand to me, and I stared at it dubiously. "Come on, I'm not that bad, am I?"

I smiled at him. "Well…" I began. He gave me a look of mock distress, and I giggled. I reached out my hand towards his. Smiling, he slipped his hand around mine. It was firm, but gentle and warm. He then guided me to the tent flap, lifting it for me. "What a gentleman," I teased.

"Only for you, beautiful," he crooned. I rolled my eyes and let him lead the way. He walked with me quietly through the valley, the sounds of the night creating a mysterious soundtrack. He didn't say anything to me, just held my hand, tugging gently every time he changed direction. A few times I felt his thumb gently brushing my hand, sending shivers down my spine. Harden my heart, harden my heart, harden my heart. I forced myself to chant this.

"Here," he said, releasing my hand slowly. I looked up at the beach. The moonlight caused the water to shimmer and shine like I'd never seen it before. I slipped my shoes off and rolled up the ends of my pants so I could feel the sand between my toes. A grin slowly extended on my face as I wiggled my toes deeper into the sand. Skye chuckled. "Hehe. The ocean is especially beautiful tonight, isn't it? Maybe because you're by my side, Jill."

I faced him, surprised by the look of adoration on his face as he looked at me. "T-thank you, Skye," I mumbled, blush rapidly spreading on my cheeks. Luckily, the night hid my red face. Unsure of what to do, I wandered towards the ocean. The cold water made me shiver, and I sighed with pleasure. Skye appeared beside me. He had also kicked off his shoes and rolled up his pant legs. I smiled at him.

"Hello, Jill," he smiled.

"Hi," I squeaked out as a large, cold wave slapped my calves. Skye laughed at me and caught my hand, tugging me towards a blanket that was laid out on the beach. I looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "So how sure were you when you thought you would see me tonight?"

He shrugged and continued to pull me towards the blanket. I laughed and let him. He sat down, leaning back on his arms. He kept his legs propped up so his knees were pointing towards the sky. I sat similarly beside him. We stayed like this for awhile, staring out at the ocean in silence.

"You know," Skye said to me, drawing me back to reality. "I pride myself in making curry. And I work hard at it day after day," he explained, looking out at the ocean again. "I gather various ingredients and taste curry made by many different people. But I can never seem to make the curry I'm going for…" he continued, his face drawn with uncertainty. "I've got the right flavor and all, but still it seems to miss something important. What do you think it is?" he asked, suddenly turning his attention towards me again.

I thought for a moment before answering. "Someone had always told me that whatever you do, not matter what it is, you have to put your heart into it. Maybe you aren't cooking with love," I said softy.

Skye smiled at my answer. "Hehe. Love, huh...? You may be right. I've been so focused on flavor that I never thought about it. I hope you'll try my curry next time I make some," he said.

"Sure, I'd be happy to," I replied with a small smile.

Skye positively beamed when I said this. "Hehe. Thanks for spending time with me tonight." He then stood up and looked at me. "I'd like to walk you back, but a nice girl like you shouldn't be caught out with a no-good thief," he said, a sad smile crossing his face.

"Thanks, Skye. I… I had a nice time tonight," I admitted.

"I'm glad, Jill," he reached out for my hand one more time. Leaning down, he kissed it gently, watching for my reaction like he had when he kissed my hair before. This time I couldn't keep myself from smiling a little. "Good luck with your work, Jill," Skye said, dropping my hand. With that he left the beach. I slapped my forehead when he left and I began to think rationally again. This mantra thing was so not working. Sighing, I got up and started the long walk back to the dig site.

Upon entering the tent, Carter rushed up to me, asking, "Where were you? Did that thief come by? Were you chasing him down?"

My clever cover-up, "Uh…"

Flora looked at me curiously. She then saved me from my lapse in thought by saying, "Well, there's no trace of anything missing at the dig site. Case closed then. Thanks for your help, Jill."

"Yeah, sure… anytime," I replied slowly. Carter was still muttering to himself about the thief playing mind games with him when I left. I sighed, rubbing my temples. So much for catching Skye. Yawning, I wondered what time it was, but then decided I'd rather not know. I just wanted to get home and go to bed.

After the lengthy trek back to my house, I collapsed onto my bed, exhausted. Peeking at my nightstand, I realized that there was a note there. My heart jumped up in my chest, and I pushed it back down, annoyed. I picked up the note. It read "'A kiss upon your hair satisfied me then, and a kiss upon your hand satisfied me tonight. I patiently wait for the day where I may be gifted with a true kiss from you, my beautiful Jill,' Love, Phantom Skye."

My heart was fluttering in my chest, and I was blushing furiously. He wasn't even here, yet these written words were enough to double my heart rate. I opened my nightstand drawer and shoved the note in it, slamming it shut. I had to do something about this. Next time I saw him, I would not forget to repeat my mantra. Harden my heart…