A/N; So lately I have come utterly obsessed with the show Black Sails, well obviously, isn't that how fan fictions always start? Anyways obsession which lead to reading fan fiction which lead to the observation of the horribly small if not almost nonexistent Billy Bones fics.
Which is how I ended up here. I have an idea of how and where I'd like this story to progress and if my writing goes where my mind goes, it'll be juicy, adventurous, sweet, exciting and altogether deliciously smutty.

But will you all read it? That is the dilemma. So please read, review and tell me if you'd like to see more!

Disclaimer; I don't own Black Sails or Billy Bones (who is sadly not in this chapter, stick around and you'll see him!) but everything else is entirely me.

Chapter One; Ablaze

Her good mood had vacated the premise hours ago. It had taken up, with what little was left of her patience and hightailed it out of there. The tavern was thick with humidity and packed with drunken rowdy pirates in varying degrees of undress.

Charlie Bennett was exhausted, her long curls were slick against her shoulder blades and pieces stuck to the back of her neck. She pulled her hair up atop her head with a leather strap and rolled her neck, stretching out her shoulders until she felt a satisfying crack.

Filling her pints and loading her tray she kicked off her boots. They were too hot.

Though only a single wispy wrapped layer, her dress felt too heavy, too tight, too hot.

Everything was too hot.

She sighed and went about her rounds, her anklet tinkling as she twirled amongst the tables, placing a drink here, collecting coins there.

She wished she was out by the sea.

Nassau was in the midst of a heat wave that refused to break. For days the temperature climbed, soaring to infernal heights, Providence was ablaze. With barely any breeze to speak of, even the sea was still, a calm and quiet vastness that slowed the tide.

The first couple days, Providence had gone about business as usual but now, on day four, work had all but come to a halt. Canopies had been stretched out across the street outside the tavern. Big billowy sheets in varying shades and patterns, to ward off the suns scathing rays. The few who dared to work, set up their stalls underneath, all along the winding road. The entire street had been turned into a colourful tented bazaar.

The rest of the townsfolk, in an a futile attempt to escape the clogging heat, either retreated indoors or took to the sea. Hiding inside with their fans or laying along Nassau's beaches and frolicking in the water.

Then there were the resident pirates, who had decided it was too hot to work but not too hot to drink. They flocked to the tavern in droves, setting up shop, they gambled and sang, drinking and eating till they passed out. Promptly wasting away their days and most of their nights. That being said, was why Charlie was here. Due to the sheer number of patrons, Eleanor Guthrie had been overrun and understaffed. When Eleanor had come knocking on her door, Charlie had yelled at her to go away, her days of serving as a barmaid were over. The mistake she made was letting Eleanor in. One look in to those sad hopeful eyes and Charlie had caved. That had been two days ago.

A rough hand came down on her ass, only for a second before Charlie whipped around, snatching a knife off the table beside her. In seconds, the blade was at his throat.

"I don't think you want to be doing that," she sang.

Glazed eyes level with her chest, he continued smiling as his eyes raked over her body. His dirty hand reaching out for her again, until his eyes met hers. He paled, recognition dawning on his face as he took her in. He recoiled from her, leaning so far back in his chair, he toppled to the ground. Standing up immediately he started speaking, fast and garbled, Charlie could barely make out a word before he passed out.

This was exactly why she hated serving. Usually, the pirates of Providence let her be, she was off limits. But a pirate in a drunken stupor became stupid and foolish, not to mention forgetful, some going as far as to forget who she was.

She really shouldn't have let Eleanor in.

"Charlie!" a voice called over the boisterous crowd.

Speak of the devil.

Making her way over to the bar, Charlie put her tray down, leaning on the bar she turned to Eleanor, "Ya know I used to like you," she sighed, smiling tiredly at her friend.

"Oh I know," Eleanor laughed, "Which is exactly why I want you to go home."

"What? But I thought-"

"No," she said effectively cutting Charlie off, "Forget whatever it is that you thought. You're wonderful but you've been here for two days, you're exhausted. Have you even slept at all?"

"I got in a few hours last night, in the storeroom."

Eleanor exhaled loudly bringing a hand up to her head, "Jesus christ, Charlie. I'm sorry. You've been a great friend, quite literally saving my ass and I-"

"It's fine."

"No, Charlie, it isn't," Eleanor presses.

"Yes, it is. You were swamped and I chose to stay and help, besides you feeling absolutely horrible about it all makes me feel better already," she smirked, "Plus, think of all the fun you'll have trying to make it up to me."

Eleanor laughed pushing her towards the door, "Get gone you bitch, before I put you back to work."

"Aye, aye Cap'n!" she smiled, hugging her friend goodbye, "Speaking of, do you know when the ship's due back?"

"In this weather? I haven't the slightest clue. If the wind out on the water is as nonexistent as here, it could take them an extra week at least."

Charlie sighed, "I figured as much."

She gave her one last smile before disappearing into the night.

As she stepped out of the tavern and into the canopied street, Charlie smiled.

If there was one thing that she loved about this infernal heat wave, it was the evening. Providence always came alive when the sun went down, but the heat wave had brought along an alluring facet to the town. The canopies that had been stretched out overhead, billowed soft and vibrant across the streets. The lanterns had been lit and enveloped the night in a muted flickering glow. She had taken to wandering the stalls on her walk home, gazing up at the patterned sheets above, like an exotic gypsy caravan, Providence had been transformed.

When she arrived home her purse was significantly lighter and another silver anklet jingled around her slender ankle. Her bag was stocked with fresh bread and produce as she made her way across the dock. She lived at the edge of town, in a house built over the expanse of a small cove, and out by the water it was breathtaking. The sky stretched from horizon to horizon, a deep darkness lit up by thousands of stars. The ocean was deep and dark, a tidal uproar that broke the sweeping stretch of sky mirrored amongst the waves. Flint had built a swing off the edge of the dock, it hung out over the water making it was one of her favourite places in the world. It was here that she retreated to after packing away her groceries, curling up into the gentle cotton as she was rocked into a deep slumber.

A/N; So? What do we think? Shall I go on? Reviews are love.