If anyone three weeks ago could have predicted that Captain O'Shae - The Black Scourge of the Sea and his entire crew- would be catering to a properly bred genteel young lady, he would have cut them down for the preposterous foresight.

However.

The idea of being in the company of said young lady was less preposterous as the days with her on the ship prolonged. They swore to never bring a woman aboard the Floating Vengeance. But circumstances had set aside that rule.

Having Tempest aboard the ship was beginning to feel as normal as the need for the ship's sails billowing in the wind. Her presence was good. He got accustomed to seeing her on deck free as a wood sprite, quiet and observant watching the men work. Petite and full of life from one end of the ship to the other and as odd as it seemed her presence did not bother his men.

He smirked to himself as his warnings were barely heeded.

"Stay here in the cabin."

"Stay off the deck."

The stubborn jut in her jaw and cute angry face she made with his orders promised nothing short of disobedience. He deep down admired her stubborness.

It was sort of an adventure not knowing what she may say or do next. She kept him on his toes like an inquisitive child walking headlong into danger just to quench their thirst for knowledge of the unknown.

Where she was concerned she was fearless. He never thought he would see the day his men would sit and actually hold a decent conversation with anyone. Much less something as tempting as she.

"Like this?" she asked, watching and imitating Justin press his knife into the sides of his Oyster, she did the same. The dusky evening sun was setting in the distance as they sat; legs crossed facing eachother with two large Oyster shells caught in the ships fishing net.

"Ay lass, press the blade into the shell indentation on the right side of the Oyster with a slight downward motion." he said. "It is easy," he continued prying his open.

"Easy!" she muttered in frustration. Her difficulty in prying it open was evident. His lips quirked watching her. He leaned forward a bit plucking her small knife gently from her fingers. She watched as he quickly held it in deft large hands seamlessly slid the knife into it and opened it slowly for her to see.

Quietly she sat with her eyes focused on the pulpy flesh that wiggled as he slowly pressed the tip of the knife over it until three beautiful pearls came up. With a gasp she watched him pick one up to show it to her then placed it gently in her hand.

"It is beautiful," she whispered.

Not as beautiful as you. He gazed at her as her dainty fingers touched it.

They remained silent in eachothers company exchanging soft glances at one another as they continued opening the remaining Oysters.

After some time had passed, cook sought them out to announce supper was ready and would be brought to his cabin.

In the quiet space, they dined and spoke of their day. The moment they finished, he stood and removed their tray and placed it outside the door.

She stood slowly and disappeared behind a makeshift screen made of a long sheet.

"How long before we arrive at Tortuga? she asked, breaking the silence.

He slid into a chair and relaxed; listening to water slosh and tinkle in the washbasin. He saw her silhouette behind the thin opaque curtain. Her hands slowly passed a washcloth over her body. He swallowed hard following the outline of where her hands went.

"In a day or two. Three at the most." he breathed.

She exited slowly after putting on one of his clean linen shirts.

"Three?" she frowned.

She looked at him with his boots propped on the table. "Aye, depends on the weather that's slowly approaching." he pointed upward.

"Oh," she whispered remembering the grey clouds on the horizon they were sailing towards.

"Why Are we in a hurry to leave the big bad pirate?" he teased flashing her a grin.

"No," she shook her head as she climbed onto the bunk beneath the sheet and sat up to face him.

He observed her for a while as she settled against the pillows and began to idly pluck a piece of thread on the comforter.

"What is wrong?" he tilted his head.

She hesitated a while before answering. "Are you going to leave me in Tortuga?" she asked softly. He held her gaze without faltering. "I plan to, yes," he said praying that she did not notice the shakiness of his voice.

He swallowed hard. The affirmation of her question felt bitter on his tongue. He had no other choice. He had to leave her there.

"Why not take me straight to London? Were you not going to Port?" she asked. His chest tightened.

"No, I had no intentions of going there," he held her disappointed look that was bordering sadness. Something pulled at him with that look. He tightened his fists refusing the urge to beckon her close to sit on his lap and caress her.

He refused the sensation or the idea that the look in those eyes was due to the fact that she did not want to be left on Tortuga. A bloom of deceiving hope flourished in his chest at the realization that..perhaps she wanted to remain with him on the ship.

But, deep down he was aware of that impossible dream. After the last couple of days and what transpired between them, he doubted her innocence would last through a voyage to London's Port.

"Don't you want to visit London?"

He leaned further in his chair and regarded her.

"No."

"Visit a friend?"

"They are all on this ship," he waved his finger about.

"Family?"

"I have none," he shook his head.

"Would you visit me?" she whispered and lowered her gaze. He stared back at her in surprise.

"You?" he swallowed. She smiled shyly with a soft nod.

Curious about the question, he lowered his boots to the floor and sat up to look at her. She watched him as well. She felt so foolish asking him such a question, deep down a part of her dared to hope. Somewhere in her mind, reality needed to kick in. She was no Princess in the presence of a handsome royal Prince. She was a young lady of noble birth in the company of a well-known pirate. A Dangerous one at that. They were just two lives entwined temporarily by an ill-fated circumstance. She should not even be thinking of him in that aspect. But why lie? As of late, he was all she thought about.

His sigh pulled her thoughts back to the present.

He slowly stood and walked closer to the bed and stood before her.

"As much as I would love to, I fear that won't be possible."

Intrigued, she sat up slowly. "Why do you say that?"

He shrugged. "I am not safe on land without my pardon. None of my men are."

"And after getting it, will you?" she looked up into his eyes.

"Aye, but I won't. I have things I must take care of before I return to gentle society," he shook his head.

He had too much on his plate to clear and a life that was stolen to regain; before thinking of settling down. He needed answers to his past. He needed those who wronged him to pay. All of this needed to be done and there was no room for error. He needed a clear mind doing it all. Having her at his side would not accomplish that. She would not be safe.

"What sort of things?" she whispered searching his gaze as he gently grazed the back of his finger along her cheek.

His eyes cleared. He blinked and cleared his throat then lowered his hand with a sigh. "Tis late, we better get some rest." he averted the question.

She nodded her head gently and pulled the covers to climb beneath it. She sat up and watched as he took off his boots, discarded his scabbard and cutlass then placed them on the table. He whipped his linen shirt up over his head, and slowly approached the bunk. Gently he slipped between the sheets and stretched out beside her.

The darkness in the cabin hid so much but the moonlight through the porthole lit just enough to watch her settle gently at his side. The slight hiss of the sheets was all that broke the silence in the cabin as they shifted slowly trying to get comfortable. When in reality deep down what they both desired was each other's heat.

They tossed and turned until finally, they lay face to face. The bluish glow of the moon illuminated them both in a light bluish hue. Their gazes met and locked in a trance for what felt like an eternity. He was not going to sleep this night like this. He had grown accustomed to having her in his bed. He had become dependent on her warmth. He slept peacefully with her close and it felt damn good.

Without a word, he wrapped his fingers around her waist and pulled her close. With no protest, she was now flushed against his warmth. Her cocoon of security and she sealed the tiny gap by resting her head on his shoulders. It was perfect. She snuggled deeper. She felt content.

Now in each other's arms, they were still awake. In silence, she enjoyed the pitter-patter of his heart while he enjoyed the softness of her skin against his. Limbs entwined and exhaustion but a memory, he idly rubbed her back.

What was he doing? He clenched his jaw.

This was going too far. He was setting himself up for destruction.

He was so swept away by his tormenting situation that he barely realized she was wide awake staring up at him until she interrupted his thoughts.

"What made you want to become a pirate?" she asked softly.

He didn't answer right away.

He swallowed hard on the sudden lump in his throat with such a question. Nothing made him to be a pirate. In truth, he had no choice in the matter.

He gazed down at her then pushed a stray tendril of hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear. "It is a tale not suitable to tell a young lady such as yourself."

"There is nothing suitable about our accommodations," she gave him a cheeky smile. "I doubt a tale of your life will ruin me."

He nodded with a chuckle. "Good point."

He sobered down a bit then faced her. "I take it if I don't tell you, you will not sleep then." he tightened his hold on her a bit.

She shook her head.

With a sigh, he looked away and turned on to his back. Her soft fingers supported her chin as she watched him. He needed to choose his words carefully.

He swallowed hard searching for a beginning to his nightmarish life.

"I am the illegitimate son of a wealthy Earl," he began. His voice raspy at the start.

"He was a married man to a conniving and deceitful woman. Before he married her, he was involved with another married woman." he paused.

"My mother," he whispered.

"He was very much in love with her and on numerous occasions asked her to run away with him but she couldn't. It was a mutual decision to end their tryst and in doing so their last night in each other's arms, I was in the making," he chuckled humorlessly.

"Her husband got wind of her infidelity soon after and..... she died during childbirth at the hands of her husband." he tightened his eyes and the rush of pain that rolled into his heart remembering how the story was told to him by his uncle.

"At a young age after mistreatment from her husband, I was left on my father's doorstep. I had no idea what I was doing there. All I know is that I was cared for and fed. He taught me so much and loved me as best he could. But his wife, I sensed she despised me. She showed it countless times when he was not around. But then she took her cruelty to a new level the moment he died.

I was 13 when she made her intentions known. She sent me away and somehow in the mix-up, I landed in Cuthburts care," he felt her stiffen.

"I was only a boy living amongst cut-throats and murderers. I felt so confused and hurt." his voice shook.

She reached up and stroked a finger against his jaw. His heart raced at her touch.

"I was 19 when we docked at Port and a gentleman found me. He was my father's Solicitor. Through some convincing, he took me away to Surrey and introduced me to my uncle Gaspar. My father's brother. It was with him I learned everything. That I was the firstborn son. My father recognized me in secret and left everything to me. He suspected his wife was not one to trust. His wife knew of his dealings but chose to get rid of me.

One day after a ride in the countryside, I returned to find my uncle dead at the hands of Cuthburt," he paused.

"A letter was written in my uncle's blood warning me That no one leaves Cuthburts crew. That's the day Justin O'Shae died and The Black Scourge was born. I was so angry I did not care who crossed my path before cutting them down. With all my wealth, it was a gateway to many things to exact my revenge upon Cuthburt and his crewmen."

Her gentle sniffle pulled him away from his dark thoughts. He turned to look down at her and saw the sheen of tears in her eyes.

With a silent curse, he pulled her close and shifted her on her back to look down at her.

He brushed his thumb at the warm stream of tears on her cheek. He frowned because he did not want her pity. But was taken back at the look in her gaze. Pitty was not there. It was something more and it crushed his heart to see it.

"Don't cry. My fate and the ordeal I went through made me stronger. It toughened me to be the ruthless man you heard all the gory tales about," his jaw tightened.

She said nothing. She remained silent beneath him submerged in the murky depths of his gaze as he continued.

"I am not good for you Tempest, I am not safe," he warned her.

"That is not true," she shook her head as she gently reached up to caress his jaw. Her voice meek and gentle strained with conviction, tore at him.

He pulled her fingers away and pressed them to his chest where his heart raked furiously against it. "This heart you feel has no room for fancy love, Tempest,"

Her pretty face took on a wounded look.

That's right end it here. Any possible fantasy, squash it now.

"It's incapable of it. Rage and anger are its only companion," he added

She looked away. Her lips trembled. He pulled her chin up to look at her.

"But, what I have endured with you, and the time you have been on this ship weakens my will to go further with my plans. I can't let that happen because it will all be for nothing. Understand?"

She bit her lip, then nodded.

Something in her eyes indicated she must have realized that, too.

With a chaste kiss on her lips, he caressed her cheeks. "Let's sleep now."

He pulled her close. In his hold, she buried her face to the warmth of his chest. He pressed his lips to her hair and tightened his eyes shut; taking in steady breaths as he felt her warm tears bathe his chest.

He set the course for his farewell way before it could affect him. He could not get attached.

There. It was over. They wouldn't see each other again. Soon they will pull into Tortuga any moment and then she'd be gone. Forever.

*******

Here we go Mateys

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