Chapter XXVI

The Drunken Captain

Tangled amidst sun warm sheets, Relena stretched and moaned. She smiled sleepily when her eyes alighted on the Peacemillion's captain sitting a few steps away at the round meetings table. He looked more like a nobleman than a pirate as he sat there in nothing but his long undershirt, quill in hand, scribbling on one parchment or another. Though he never once as much as glanced her way, he somehow seemed to know she was awake.

'Are ye happy with the bed pushed up against the windows?' he asked and she could hear the smirk in his words.

She moaned again, sprawling on the mattress, letting the sun kiss her skin instead of the sheets. 'The only thing missing in here now is a bath.'

'I believe there's one lost somewhere in the lower decks. Ye should have the crew bring it up.'

Slowly, as the silence stretched between them, Relena sat up. Heero looked so incredibly peaceful… It was not that she was not immensely gratified, but her curiosity just would not allow her to forget the fact that he had never explained, never told her what had actually led to the changes that had taken them to that blissful moment. The sound of his scribbling went on unhindered by the quiet waves around the ship.

'Are you really not telling? What happened to the ghosts, what changed your mind about us? Are you really not telling? Not even me?'

'It's a rather embarrassing story.' Was all he offered and, as he finally turned towards the bed, he found the first mate pouting somewhat childishly at him. He smiled, his eyes much more preoccupied with her bare skin, which had been shamelessly exposed to him as she sat up.

Relena was quick to follow his gaze and pull the sheets, which had pooled on her lap, back up and against her chest. She glared at him however mildly. 'No peeking unless you tell me.'

Heero pushed away from the table and smiled completely undisturbed by her little display of temper. 'I can't tell ye what changed me mind for it was a combination of things not even I am sure of.'

'What about Amelia and her beloved? Will you tell me what happened to them?'

He stood up, trading the wooden chair for the soft edge of the mattress. 'Why did ye wait this long to ask me?'

'I thought if I gave you time you'd share the tale willingly.'

'And so ye gave me a fortnight…'

'I considered waiting 'til we got to Africa.' She confessed, letting her eyes trail over the wrinkles on the sheets until they found his thighs which were only half-covered by the ragged undershirt.

'But curiosity got the better of you.'

She sighed. 'It often does.'

The captain could feel her eyes on him, stroking his ego and burning trails over his skin with their lustful sparks. He pulled his shirt down. 'If I can't peek, neither can you.'

Relena's scowl lasted but for a moment before she threw herself in his arms, laughing at him and herself and their silly antics. She had unravelled a whole new side of him after they had left the no-longer-haunted island. He had grown comfortable around her, he smirked easily and even cracked the eventual genuine smile. His sense of humour still amazed her and his quiet chuckles took her breath away. That was Heero in his cabin, alone with her. Outside, he remained pretty much the same, in fact, she feared he had grown even more aloof. She wondered if he was trying to compensate for being so open with her or if he had gone back on his word and forgotten to inform her…

'So… When are we going to tell them?'

Heero sighed, running his fingers through her hair as she snuggled closer. 'Must we?' he need not even look to know she was scowling. 'Surely they've already reached their own conclusions?'

'Even if they have.' She pulled slightly away so she could meet his eye and brought the sheets back up with her to make sure he stayed focused. 'You're their captain. So, whether you like it or not, you owe them explanations about every single thing you do. If we keep this a "secret" won't it feel like we don't trust them or don't deem them worthy of being informed? Are they not our friends first of all?'

'Fine.' He conceded, with that light touch of bitterness that let her know he knew she was right, righter than he was at least, and that it irked him even if only a slightly.

'Would you like me to do it?' Relena offered gently, playing absent-mindedly with the hem of his shirt.

'We'll do it together.'

She smiled, leaning forward to place a slow teasing peck on his lips. 'I'll make it up to you…' she whispered, her breath mingling with his even as her wandering hands made the air catch in his throat.

'I can see that.' Heero informed her and she could not help but laugh when he went straight for the sheets, pulling them out of her hand. 'You've been taking too many liberties with me person.' He protested. 'I'm supposed to be menacing not cuddly.'

'Don't worry. We don't need to tell the others that.'

XXX

'Ahoy, Capt'n.' Trowa greeted him with a small curving of lips.

'Ahoy, Captain!' Zero echoed landing nonchalantly on Heero's shoulder. The man smirked at the parrot and scratched his feathery head.

'Any trouble?' the captain turned back to the lookout who had been manning the helm for him throughout the night.

'None. Calm seas and even winds… We should be in Africa in a few days.'

Heero nodded. 'Take a caulk, Barton. You've earned it.'

'Heero…' Trowa did not move as the captain took over the position of helmsman. 'What are we gonna do once Quatre and his comrades leave?'

'Relena means to convince them not to.'

'She does?'

'Aye.'

'When?'

The captain glanced over his shoulder as if he could see the blonde woman through the closed door of their cabin. She had not said a word on the subject since they had left Tortuga and he had not bothered to ask her either. If he were entirely honest, Winner and the Maganacs' imminent departure – leaving them severely short-handed – had completely slipped his mind. For once, the future did not appeal to him quite as much as the present. It did not worry him either. He felt… Comfortable.

'Ye'll need to ask Relena.' He offered, turning back to the parting waters ahead. It was good to bask on some tranquility after two violent storms.

'Uh…' the lookout hesitated. 'Is she decent?' he ventured finally and looked away before the captain could notice his unease.

'I told her ye already knew…' Heero snorted to himself. 'Just knock, Trowa. It can't be that hard.'

'Spoken just like Chang.' Trowa complained though he could not help the hint of bitter-sweet nostalgia that crept into his voice. The captain smirked. 'Maybe we should go back for him once we leave Africa.'

'Hn.'

Once recomposed, the lookout crossed the small distance between the helm and the door leading to the captain's quarters. He raised his fist to knock but the first mate saved him the trouble by opening the door before his fist could connect with it. 'Trowa!' she remarked surprisedly. 'Did you need anything?'

'He wants to know about Winner.' Heero said without even turning around. 'As a matter of fact, so do I.'

'About Quatre?' she frowned for a moment before understanding what it was they were asking her. 'Oh… I haven't talked to him.'

The captain turned around and the two men shared a look. 'How do ye mean to convince 'im to stay then?' Trowa questioned puzzled.

'I'm not the one who's going to convince him and neither are any of you.' Relena gave them a moment to assimilate the idea as she closed the heavy wooden door behind her. 'Quatre must change his mind on his own. The only thing we can do to help is make this voyage the best of all voyages.'

'Well, I guess – after two storms – the chances of this being a pleasant voyage have all but vanished.' The lookout fought a bitter laugh. Perhaps Duo might have a better plan?

'Just trust her, Barton.' Heero turned back to the helm uncharacteristically unconcerned. 'She knows what she's doin'.'

The blonde woman floated forward in her light dress and low heeled boots, her aristocratic origins visible in her every step and gesture. Trowa revisited his plan of bringing back Chang… What would be his reaction to their elegant, perfumed and undeniably feminine new first mate? Would there even be a place for him in this new Peacemillion?

'Ah! Trowa!' Relena called his attention back to her. 'Before you tell the night crew to rest and retire yourself could you, please, assemble everyone on the main deck? We have an announcement to make.'

XXX

'Is it 'bout scary-eyebrows' punishment?' Duo immediately asked him.

'What?'

'Dorothy.' Hilde clarified. 'She raised the anchor durin' the storm.'

'Aye. That's exactly what I meant.'

'I don't think that's what it's about…' Trowa mused. 'Relena was smilin' when she told me to get ye. She wouldn't smile 'bout somethin' like that.'

'Nay. 'E's right. She wouldn't.' the black haired woman turned to the braided pirate.

'But if it ain't 'bout Dorothy, then… Ahhhh…' Duo trailed off into a mischievous chuckle.

'What?' Hilde urged him. 'What is it?'

But all he did was ignore the hands she had clutched on his shoulders even as she shook him violently with them. He continued laughing to himself as they climbed the stairs. The lookout shook his head as he followed. All other members of the Peacemillion's crew were already on the main deck. Quatre seemed worried as he glanced furtively at the long haired blonde beside him. Dorothy, however, had a smirk on her face and Trowa had the feeling she knew what Duo was laughing about. Howard dozed off as he half-sat half-leaned on one of the barrels scattered around the deck and the Maganacs – tired from working the night shift – talked quietly amongst themselves.

Behind the helm, Heero and Relena appeared to be engaged in some kind of argument. The lookout saw the captain frown and the first mate smiled appeasingly at him, supposedly trying to convince him to say whatever it was she wanted him to say. Heero crossed his arms, his forehead creasing even further. Relena laid a hand on his arm, said a few words and, immediately, the scowl melted away. Trowa was secretly impressed, but he kept to himself as their leaders finally turned towards them.

The captain's uneasiness was palpable. He shifted on his feet, clearly unsure of what to do with his hands, then he decided to hold them behind his back and finally cleared his throat. By then Duo, who had been making an inhuman effort to hold back his mirth, could no longer hide it and burst into a genuine fit of laughter. Initially, Heero looked outraged, but then his expression turned into something positively life threatening. 'Mind sharing, Maxwell?'

'Ye should see yerself, mate…' the braided man wiped tears from the corner of his eyes. Even Zero – on the captain's shoulder – looked miffed, his feathers standing on end. It took sometime for Duo to gather his wits and be able to continue. 'We already know, Capt'n. Everyone knows. No need to get all bothered and flustered, eh?'

Heero's head snapped towards the blonde first mate, his cheeks lightly flushed. He was clearly horrified to find himself in such a predicament. 'I told ye.' He seemed to hiss at her to which she merely sighed and smiled soothingly.

'What're ye talkin' 'bout, ye jester?' Howard inquired, annoyed to have woken up only to realise he had missed some sort of joke, whatever it was.

'Wha'?' Duo turned disbelieving eyes to the old pirate. 'Don't tell me ye didn't know those two were scr—.'

'Bethrothed.' Dorothy cut in, noticing the mortified way Relena's eyes started to widen at the lewd-mouthed pirate's speech. She strolled leisurely towards the front of the assembly. 'Our captain and first mate have finally realised their undying love for one another and accepted all its terrifying, albeit exhilarating, consequences by declaring their feelings not solely to each other but to all of us! Shout it, Miss Relena! Shout your burning feelings! Make the whole world shatter with the depths of your love!'

'What's she talkin' 'bout?' Duo flipped Howard's question back at the grey haired man.

'I take it she meant to tell us our captain and first mate are not only in love, but also engaged.' Rashid, arms crossed and a frown marring his forehead, offered an explanation.

'Ahhhh…' the Maganacs, Hilde and Duo exclaimed in unified realisation.

Relena, who had flushed fiercely throughout the other woman's impassioned speech, raised a hand. 'Yes, we…' she met Heero's eyes for a moment. 'We're engaged.'

That really did not seem to surprise anyone.

'What about Catalonia's punishment?' Auda questioned. He still held a tiny grudge, after all he had been sick throughout the whole ordeal and swore to himself that someone was going to pay for it. If there were no consequences for the one responsible, it might happen again and he could not have that… His stomach could not have that.

Dorothy gave him a scorching look.

The captain did not have to think twice. 'She'll be assigned swab duty. Indefinitely. The rest of ye will keep an eye on her.'

The blonde woman's indignation could not have been greater had he ordered her to walk the plank or keel-hauled her or worse. She gaped at him, too outraged for words, and Howard pushed a bucket and mop into her hands. His smirk nearly blinded her. 'Ye might as well get started.'

XXX

The continent was but a whisper of a small black smudge against the blue of the sky, but the crew was singing shanties, basking in the warmth of the sun and the freshness of the breeze. Quatre made his way to the quarter deck with a near permanent smile on his lips. Heero need barely steer the ship so untroublesome was the sea. Relena stood a few steps away by the railing with Zero, listening to the songs the crew intoned animatedly, trying to recall the words to those she already knew and learn those she did not. She hummed quietly, serenely, and unconsciously enveloped them in a blanket of peaceful contentment.

'I had missed this.' The blonde man confessed in a near sigh as he halted beside them.

'It was never this…' but the captain seemed unable to find a word for it. The parrot whistled along with the new shanty.

'Aye.' Quatre conceded. 'But there were some times… Rare times when it did feel like everything just… Belonged.'

Heero seemed to agree for he was quiet for a long time. The calls of seagulls could be heard distantly, another reminder that they were reaching their destination. 'What is there for ye in Africa?'

Peacemillion's former strategist turned puzzled eyes to the man beside him, his smile vanishing as he blinked and turned back to the main deck where Duo was pestering Dorothy, trying to make her join in on their singing as she fumbled with the mop. Quatre could see that – despite the scowl and the colourful expletives – she was happy, as happy as everybody else seemed to be. He wondered if he really could take that away from her… And for what?

'Someone needs to fight for freedom, Heero. Fight for what's right, for justice. Rashid and the lads kept doing that after I left and now I came back to help them finish what we started.'

'Fair enough.' The captain nodded. 'But keep in mind there's only so much ye can do and – from what I've heard – ye've already done a lot for these people… Sacrificed a lot.'

'Perhaps… But it made little difference in the end.'

'Did these Maganacs not leave a new generation of freedom fighter when they left?' Quatre looked genuinely surprised, so much so he could only stare at the other man in wonder. 'Ye' might've already played yer part to its fullest, Winner.'

The blonde man said nothing, but he carried Heero's words with him as he returned to his post.

XXX

Relena was at the forecastle, giving the captain directions by waving her arms whenever necessary as he steered their ship into the harbour, when she saw Dorothy storm out of the sleeping quarters and make her way to the quarter deck in long fast strides. The first mate hurried after her, knowing there was nothing Heero hated more than being disturbed when he was trying to concentrate and, therefore, the other woman might soon be in need of rescuing. Ever since their interrupted – but successful – announcement no one confronted him without her around, she had become a source of encouragement and reassurance… Except, seemingly, for Dorothy.

'You must do something!' she was yelling at him when Relena reached them. 'Get them a cabin for heaven's sake!'

One of Heero's eyebrows rose as he signalled with a hand for the anchor to be dropped and finally allowed himself to turn to her. 'What is this about?' he inquired reasonably.

'Maxwell and Schbeiker were being indecent! Where everyone could see!'

'Oh, we were so not bein' any of that!' a red-faced Hilde stomped towards them. 'Duo was just showin' me his tattoos is all.'

'What she said!' the braided pirate himself arrived then, clearly out of breath. They gave him a moment to gather his bearings. 'Was just tellin' Hilde their stories an' how they connect to one another, eh? No…'

'Offensive.' The first mate offered.

'Aye. No offensive activities, Capt'n. I swear to God!'

Relena smiled at their flustered state then turned to the captain. 'I do think they deserve to have their own cabin.'

'What're ye' proposing?' he inquired, his expression as unreadable as usual. 'We're finally here and Catalonia's about to leave so I no longer see a problem with our sleeping arrangements.'

'Hey! I too think we deserve a cabin!' Duo protested. 'It's really bothersome havin' to sneak behind everybody's backs an' do it between the barrels all the time!'

'Duo!' the black haired woman clubbed him on the head, a mortified blush spreading over her cheeks like wildfire. 'We don't do it all the time…'

'No, indeed not.' Dorothy agreed. 'Not between the barrels at least. Some times they do it where everyone can see!'

For some reason, the braided pirate seemed to find that amusing, but he quickly swallowed his snicker when Hilde's scorching glare fell on him again, making his head pound in warning. 'This never happened before…' she defended. 'And we've been traveling together forever!'

'Ye could…' Duo coughed, patting Heero's shoulder. 'Ye know… Mayhaps… Lend us yer cabin? Just from time to time!'

If looks could kill the braided pirate would have died right then and there. As it was, he survived, but did take a couple steps back. Relena took the captain's arm, forcing his glare to dissolve as he turned his head to her. 'It won't cost much to build some cabins in the sleeping quarters, will it? There are already other things that need repairing anyway. If it was you – and I – what would you do?'

Heero could no longer imagine being without her, going without touching her… And to do it in front of an audience was the most abhorrent of prospects. Resignedly, he sighed. 'Very well… Go tell Howard. Oh, and, Maxwell, stop making up stories 'bout those tattoos.'

Duo smirked widely, but said neither 'aye' nor 'nay' to that. 'Make up?' Hilde questioned as they disappeared down the stairs. 'That mean ye lied?'

'I don't lie, ye know that. I just embellish them stories a wee bit.'

'Were ye in cohorts with them?' the captain suddenly turned cold eyes to an unusually submissive Dorothy. The first mate's eyes followed his, widening in surprise, but the long haired blonde's face revealed nothing. In fact, she was uncharacteristically serious.

'It was never my wish to leave.' She said eventually, still dwelling on Heero's earlier words. 'I was hoping you might change Quatre's mind, but his plans to leave don't seem to bother you at all.'

Relena opened her mouth to protest, but the captain seized her wrist and shook his head. Dorothy was already on her way to the main deck.

XXX

'And how long's it gonna take?' Heero glanced around the empty sleeping quarters with a frown and crossed arms.

'To finish all repairs and the new cabins… About a month.' Howard said calmly.

'A month?'

'Aye… The Peacemillion… She's a work of art. To alter her prefect flawless outwordly body requires thorough planning and careful work…'

'A week.' The captain snapped impatiently.

'Three weeks.'

'A fortnight.'

'Eighteen days, Capt'n. It can't be done faster than that.'

'Hire some local shipbuilders. We've more than enough coin.'

The older pirate scowled at him. 'She's the apple of me eye, this ship. None but me shall touch 'er.'

'Fine. Eighteen days, Howard, but it better be done by then.'

'Why the hurry, Capt'n? Where're we headed next?'

Heero was already half-way up the stairs, but he paused. 'We're not made for dry land, Howard.'

The upper decks were deserted and the captain made his way unhindered back to his quarters. Shadow sat by the door. It seemed – whenever Trowa was gone – she stuck to him. He allowed her to follow him inside. At least the lookout had been sensible enough to take the parrot with him. Heero sat at the round table and stared blankly at the charts sprawled all over it.

As far as he knew Quatre was leaving and taking both Dorothy and the Maganacs with him… In other words, the blonde man's departure would reduce their crew by half their numbers. Heero knew very little about African sailors and even less about African pirates… There were surely a large number of slave traders to be found, but piracy would hardly look appealing to them since their business was a much more lucrative one. There was nothing he hated more than recruiting, he sighed frustratedly to himself.

A light knock on the door announced Relena's return. She did not wait for his permission to walk in, but waltzed into the cabin instead, distracting him for a moment with her smile. 'Something the matter?' she asked when she noticed the frown marring his forehead.

'Recruiting…' he said as if that single word were enough to explain the enormity of the problem. For whatever reason, it brought the smile back to the first mate's face as she moved to stand behind him. His eyes fell on Shadow as Relena's fingers began raking through his hair and he was sure she was purring for him.

'What about recruiting?'

'We need to find a good tavern… One that reasonably decent, yet not entirely righteous, sailors frequent.'

'Why don't you ask Quatre?'

He scowled and snorted. 'Quatre who means to leave us?'

'What if I told you…' she let her hands slide down his chest until she was leaning over him, her lips by his ear. 'He has changed his mind?'

'If he had changed his mind, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.' He turned his head, their noses brushing. 'But if Winner had changed his mind surely he'd have told me?'

'Well… I am more approachable and your representative.' Relena reasoned.

'Hn.' There was no denying that. 'It doesn't mean the Maganacs will stay. If they leave we'll still need to recruit. At least a couple more men.'

'You don't think they'd stay?' she pulled away curiously to get a better look at his expression. 'Even if Quatre did?'

The captain sighed. Just when he had been about to kiss her. 'They were searching for Quatre, that's how they ended up on the Peacemillion. Now, they've found him and made sure he's alive and well. What reasons would they have to remain? They're freedom fighters, community men, not selfcentred pirates.'

'Aye, but they worship him, Heero. They are devoted to Quatre.'

'Aye, and – if he were captain – it'd make absolute sense for them to remain, but here they answer to me and I've barely won their trust least of all any kind of devotion.'

'Maybe not, but surely they respect you? Quatre'd trust you with his life.'

'Before…' Heero paused, the words sticking to his throat. Before…what? Before her? Before Lowe's return? Before she left him and he made a complete arsehole of himself? Relena seemed to read his mind – the disgust he felt at his lack of self-control creasing his forehead – for she frowned and made to reach out for him but he raised a forbidding hand and stood, putting some distance between them. 'Relena, I—'

'Don't.' she admonished. 'Don't you dare go back on us now. Heero, you made a mistake. Surely you're entitled to a few? Much like everyone else?'

He had his back to her, but he forced out a bitter smile. 'When I make mistakes people die.'

'It was my mistake long before it was yours. I should've gone with you. I should've crawled out the window and gone with you the moment you showed up, but I decided to remain, I wanted to say goodbye to my brother and… It was my mistake and people died.' She was trembling by the time she finished, shaken by the emotions her sudden realisation had stirred.

Heero looked horrified. It took him a long time to find the words. 'You're the best person I know.'

'And yet… My choices influence other people's lives as well.'

'Relena…' he stepped forward somewhat cautiously, afraid that his words might have somehow broken her. He often forgot just how strong she truly was.

'Quatre wouldn't have come back if he had not forgiven you, if he did not understand that people make mistakes – that you make mistakes – and that we learn from those mistakes. This is a second chance, Heero. For both of us.' She had made her way to the cupboard, on the other side of the cabin, and when she turned around tossed something straight at him. 'I thought you had decided not to waste it.'

In his hands the small leather pouch weighed close to nothing. A reminder, he had told her. A reminder of why they had to stay together… Because being apart would cause more suffering. Because entire islands might end up cursed and the strongest ships might end up sinking, their whole crews sent to Davy Jones' Locker. 'You're right.' He said and waved a hand, dismissing the whole sentimentality thing as he returned the pouch to the top of the cupboard. Then he paused and met her eyes. 'Did Winner really say he was staying?'

Her smile was answer enough.

XXX

'So, Winner, why the change of 'eart?' Howard finally asked, after two entire weeks of avoiding the subject, and motioned the barmaid for a new jug just as he emptied the old one into his mug.

'Ah…' the blonde man – who was in the process of lowering his own wooden mug – faltered then blushed lightly as his gaze happened upon Dorothy. She was arguing with Duo again, certainly over some unbelievably trifle matter. Funny enough, it was what made her happy, provoking, meddling and arguing. He could see just how excited she was. 'A number of things.' He mumbled, waving his hand dismissively.

'It's 'cause of me he stayed!' the braided man suddenly leaned on him, throwing his arm over Quatre's shoulder. 'Ye can't live without me, can ye, matey?'

'Well, someone does have to stop him from making an even bigger fool of himself.' The blonde woman immediately remarked.

'Ye callin' me a fool, that it?'

The barmaid replaced their empty jug and Howard thanked her with a wide flirtatious smile. She paid him no heed. 'Ah…' he sighed. 'I don't think these African women like white men much…'

'Would ye like white men if they took ye away from yer family, sold ye like a piece of meat and forced ye to work for free? Well, neither would I.' Hilde frowned at him when the old pirate filled her mug to the brim.

'I think ye need a lil' more rum.' He justified, turning back to Quatre. 'Ye know, ye didn't really answer me question, lad.'

'Leave 'im be, Howard.' Trowa cut in, feeding the parrot some ham. 'His reasons are his own.'

'And are yer mates stayin' too? Or will Bart'n need to go deckhand huntin' with our beloved captain?'

The lookout did not take the bait, but sent a glare the old man's way to show just how he felt about the implication. Quatre sighed and shook his head. 'Rashid and Auda are staying, but the others… Heero should probably be recruiting.'

'Have ye told 'im that? 'E won't be too pleased…' Duo finally decided to stop bickering and focus on his drink.

'I admire what they do…' Hilde cut in, her broody mood still ongoing. 'What they fight for… It makes me wish to stay and help meself.'

'I know.' The blonde man smiled sadly, sympathetically. 'But I don't think fighting for the cause is necessarily the main reason why they'd choose to stay… Ahmad and Abdul have family, wives and children. If they come with us, it might be years before they see them again.'

No one could argue with those reasons.

'Have a lil' more rum, lass.' Howard pushed a full mug towards the black haired woman.

'If I didn't know ye, Howie, I'd say ye were tryin' to kill me.'

Chuckling, he grabbed a full jug from a passing barmaid's tray. The woman feigned not to notice and the old pirate sagged. 'Back home them servin' girls make these huge incredulous eyes at ye and let out these angry squeals…' he sighed again. 'Ain't the capt'n showing?'

'Ye wanna place bets on who can get 'im drunk?' Duo's smirk was as wide as could be.

'Just to feel a wee bit more at home, aye?'

They had been betting forever, but no one had ever succeeded. 'Well, if we're doing this then I'll bet on Relena. She's the only one who can do it. Though I doubt any of ye can convince her to try.'

'I can.' Dorothy smiled haughtily, her confidence so thick they could almost see it.

'Eh?' the braided man turned to Quatre. 'What's she know that we don't?'

'I doubt he'll come.' Trowa interrupted soberly. 'Relena's been keepin' him busy.'

'Jealous, Bart'n?' Duo leaned over the table with a teasing smirk. 'Ye know she makes it even more certain he'll come...'

'Duo!' Hilde smacked him on the arm however half-heartedly. 'Don't be crass!'

'Wha'? Was merely statin' the truth!'

'Oh, gods be merciful!' Dorothy sent him a disgusted look that would have immediately sent them into another row had Heero and Relena not walked right in.

'Speakin' of the devil…'

'Shut up, ye blabberin' baboons! Place yer bets! Quick! 'Fore they reach us!' Howard leaned forward as he lowered his voice. 'I say I'll do it meself.'

'He's surely been practicing….' The black haired woman commented glancing at her twin mugs. 'I'm with Duo. Relena's the only one.'

'Aye.' The lookout agreed.

'There's no other choice.' Quatre added.

'She'll do it.' Dorothy was certain. 'I'll make her.'

'Relena!' Zero said.

'Ahoy!' the first mate reached them then, smiling as she petted the parrot. 'Enjoying yourselves?'

'As long as they keep the spirits comin'.' The grey haired pirate waved an empty jug at one of the passing barmaids. 'Feels awful nice not to worry 'bout coin.'

'Would ye like a mug?' Hilde offered, trying to get rid of her spare.

'Oh, no.' the blonde woman waved her hand. 'We're here to look for new deckhands. Ahmad and Abdul are going home…'

'Ye can start come morrow.' The braided pirate told her dismissively.

Heero joined them then and raised an eyebrow. 'We're not askin' for permission, Maxwell.' Then he turned to Relena. 'I got us a more secluded table.'

'Actually, Miss Relena, can we talk?' Dorothy was beside the first mate before anyone had seen her move, her arm wrapped around the other woman's. 'Womanly business.' She added for the captain's sake.

'I'll be right over.' Relena promised him with a smile, and he left with a derisive snort aimed Dorothy's way. He was not the only one suspicious. 'What are you up to?'

'We want you to get him drunk.'

'Who?'

'Heero.'

'What?! Why?'

'Oh, come now, Miss Relena. Don't tell me you don't wish to see what drunk Captain Flawless's like.'

The first mate bit her lip. Now that Dorothy put it that way… She did wish to know what he was like… She wished to know what he was like happy and sad and angry and amused and bored and… 'Are you sure this is a good idea? You've seen him lose control before.'

'Those were different circumstances.' The tattooed woman waved away her concerns. 'Haven't you? In… different circumstances?'

'Dorothy!' Relena felt her cheeks burn with indignation.

'So? Howard's trying too.'

'Howard?'

'Aye.' She whipped her head around. 'And he seems to be gone already.'

'He cannot make Heero drink.' Dorothy's lips formed a victorious smile at the first mate's possessive tone. 'Howard must be drunk himself by now.'

'Don't let him fool you. He should not be underestimated.'

'Are there any rules to this thing?' she asked finally making it clear she was taking part in the dispute.

'Nah.' Duo waved at her. 'No rules. Just kick Howie's fat old butt, eh?'

'You sound very well acquainted with Howard's behind, Maxwell.' Dorothy smirked at him and, as they dissolved into another bout of bickering, Relena set off to find her table.

XXX

The Peacemillion's captain refused a mug of whatever it was the ladies were serving and watched as they backed away humbly and without protest. A nice change from the Caribbean wenches that held onto his arms trying to push liquor into him and whatever else they could surreptiously slip into their velvetly voiced offers. He was surprised to suddenly find Howard occupying the seat he had saved for his first mate. A not so very nice change that.

'Ye put out word yet, Capt'n?' the older man asked, making conversation as he poured Heero a tankard of what was most probably rum.

'Ye offering to?'

'Nay. Just thought to meself that our lovely first mate could do that while she's at it.'

Heero's eyes narrowed fractionally as he fought the urge to remind the goofy pirate he had no right to tell his first mate what to do. It was an unreasonable feeling, born strictly out of his newly discovered possessiveness towards Relena, and he was already learning to separate those from the more constructive feelings, the ones he should actually pay heed to. 'Aye. I've told the owner.'

'Mmm…' Howard seemed particularly troubled that evening, but the reasons why were impossible to tell. He glared at the captain's tankard. 'Are ye havin' children?'

For a fraction of a second, Heero was unable to control his reaction and was quite certain the clever old pirate had seen his eyes widen in panic-stricken horror. There seemed to be a very amused smirk hidden behind the grey moustache. He coughed, seizing the tankard, took a long draught and cleared his throat. 'I'm sorry. What?'

'After ye an' the lassie get married, o' course.' Howard explained, pouring the captain another round.

'What was that about marriage?' Relena finally arrived.

'Nothing.' Heero frowned then scowled as he turned to the grey haired pirate. Though Dorothy had unintentionally – or not – gotten them engaged to be married, he had not yet had the heart to talk to the blonde woman about it. 'That seat wasn't meant for ye, Howard.'

'Oh, aye, Capt'n. Apologies. Have the chair, dearie. I'll fetch meself another.'

'Is he going to help?' the first mate questioned when Howard was gone.

Still frowning, the captain shook his head. 'He wants something. Perhaps by the end of the night he might find the guts to tell me what it is.'

'Any candidates yet?'

'Nay, but we've earned a few glances. If we could recruit a single slightly-decent deckhand it'd be enough.'

'Mmm…' she seemed thoughtful as she peered into his tankard. 'What are you drinking?'

'Rum…apparently.'

'Isn't there anything else? You could… Introduce me to some other distillates, couldn't you? So I can find one I actually like to drink.'

'Drinking can be dangerous.'

'Aye, but it can also be fun…with moderation.'

She was leaning close, smiling eagerly, and it was just so hard – now that he finally could – to keep his hands off her… To deny her anything. 'Fine, but not here and not tonight.'

'Why must we recruit? Why not Duo? Or Howard? They're so charismatic.'

'It ain't 'bout charisma, lassie.' Howard finally returned, dragging a chair behind him. He took a seat at Heero's other side, leaning so close the captain felt the need to glare at him. 'They must see the man they're gonna follow.'

'But we'll be just at the counter. I'm sure anyone can see Heero quite well from there.'

'Aye… But what if he's a lookalike? They need to talk to 'im, dearie. Tremble under the ice-cold authority of 'is tone.'

At that, Heero raised an eyebrow. If that had somehow meant to be flatterring he failed to see how it was so. 'If they wish to exchange words with me, send them over.' He said simply already pushing away from the table.

'Oh, but, Capt'n… Will it really look good for ye to be seen…' but Howard could not finish. It was not right for the captain to be forbidden his fun, forbidden to show any trace of humanity, of vulnerabilty. Besides, Relena was not actually a weakness – though she might seem so to an outsider – but an asset. He waved his hand. 'Go. Enjoy yerselves. I'll handle the recruiting.'

Surprised, they could only nod.

XXX

'What're they doin'? What're they doin'?' Hilde twisted her head as far as it would go, but still could not get a sight of their captain and first mate as they stood by the bar counter.

'Well, Howard's apparently given up…' Duo, who was sitting sideways on his chair, managed to get better glimpses in between passing groups of customers.

'A good thing 'e was the only one to bet on Howard.'

'That ain't good.' Trowa shook his head sadly. 'Neither of us will make much coin in the end.'

'We don't need coin.' The braided pirate shrugged, twisting and turning in his seat as he tried to stretch his neck enough to see over the heads of a newly arrived cluster of sailors. 'We bet just for the hell of it.'

'Duo!' the black haired woman punched him in the arm. 'What're they doin'?'

'I dunno! They're standin'… An' talkin'.'

'Tipplerer's there.' Quatre commented. 'They seem to be talking to him.'

'Talkin'? Not drinkin'?'

'Nay. Wait… He's pouring now. No, Relena. He's pouring Relena a mug.'

'What?' Dorothy spun on her seat. 'Did Heero turn the tables on us?'

'Bastard.' Zero said.

'Just don't call 'im that when he's around.' Trowa advised the parrot with a frown.

'Bastard.' He repeated, walking around the table until an empty peanut shell caught his attention.

'What's she doin'?' Duo urged Quatre on.

'She's pushing the mug towards Heero.'

'Oh…' they all nodded in silent approval.

'I bet he'll figure 'er out and turn the game against us anyway.' The lookout tapped the coin he had laid on the table earlier before adding another to the pile.

'Mmm… I'm with Trowa.' The blonde man said and made his own contribution to their humble pot.

'But ye just said…!' the braided man pouted for a moment then stretched his neck again, trying to glimpse their captain and first mate. 'Nah… I think Lena'll make it. He'd never suspect her.'

'Of course, she'll make it.' Dorothy added haughtily. 'You men are nothing but mouldy in our capable womanly hands.'

'Arr!' Hilde seconded it.

Behind them, the newly returned Howard laughed loudly.

XXX

He smirked inwardly when she pushed yet another mug towards him under the silly pretense that it was only polite for him to accompany her in her drinking. The bets on who could get him drunk had been going on ever since Lowe's first – and failed – assassination… So he knew better than anyone how to recognise its ever changing contestants and how to make them run around in circles. Relena had only made his counterattack all the much easier by proposing that little tasting session and. though he certainly would not mind seeing her drunk, or maybe even getting intoxicated with her, he would rather do it in private, as far away as possible from his crew's prying eyes.

Turning the mug around in his hands he studied her expecting features, wondering how to procceed. Should he pretend? Let her win? Or should he make her an undeniable offer? Bring her to his side and give his nosy crew a lesson? Or maybe… He leaned closer, allowing himself a small smile at her sharp intake of breath and only stopped when their faces were parallel, a hair's width apart. 'Ye really think ye can get me drunk?'

His low dangerous tone was like velvet against her ear, and Relena was pleased her blush could pass as a token of shame. 'When did you find out?'

'Ye never argue, but ye did so with Howard. To think he actually managed to fool me long enough to make me empty a tankard…' Heero was surprised to find himself amused at the old seadog's nerves.

'I got him to do your work for you… Willingly.' She turned her head enough for their eyes to meet out of their corners. 'Shouldn't I get something in return?'

'I suppose ye wish me to let ye get me drunk?'

'Would it really be that bad? Have you ever got drunk?'

At that he pulled slightly away and leaned against the counter, his eyes focused on the mug he kept turning round and round. 'Once.' He said. 'Per Lowe's sadistic wishes.'

Relena hesitated briefly though he sounded more thoughtful than actually pained by the memory. 'What happened?'

'I honestly don't remember.' He shook his head, frowning in obvious annoyance at himself. 'Woke up in a brothel though… Apparently, someone saw it fit to steal everything and anything I had with me.'

She let out a relieved puff of air having kind of expected him to say he had woken up naked and in some random woman's arms. Not that she was foolish enough to think she had been his first, but at least – as long as he did not outright say it – she could continue pretending as much. 'And never again?'

'Nay. Never again.' At last, he turned back to her and there was something in his eyes, a gleam she could not quite place. 'Ye won't like me drunk self. At least not in a public setting…'

'You never touch me in public… I wouldn't really mind it if you were a little more affectionate.'

'I've a feeling affectionate doesn't quite cover it.'

'Were none of the others present that day? No one saw what happened?'

'If they were, they were too far gone to remember any of it themselves.'

'Well…' the first mate seemed to run something over in her head before turning back to him. 'I stand by my words. I know you've got a reputation to maintain, but surely…'

'Perhaps…' Heero knew – from the quiet tone she used – that his distant behaviour whenever they were in public did indeed bother her, even if only a little. It sent his mind back to his earlier idea. Getting drunk had somehow never spoilt any pirate's reputation and what one did whilst under the influence could be easily overlooked. 'Just for one night.'

'What?' Relena had clearly not expected his compliance, but she did not protest when he threw a hand around her waist, pulled her closer and touched his forehead to her temple.

'There's only one thing…'

She shivered, feeling his breath caress her skin. 'Yes?'

'Don't brag about it too much.'

Her smile was not as compliant as he had expected it to be.

XXX

'I'm teelin' ye'! He was drunk! I saw it with me own eyes!' Duo waved his hands in front of him. He was beginning to feel annoyed by Auda's scepticism.

The Arabian man still did not look convinced. 'Never seen a man look so well disposed after a night of heavy drinking.'

'But 'e kissed 'er! Right there in the tavern! Ye should've seen it!'

'It's Relena.' Trowa said quietly, arms crossed. For once, he was on the braided man's side. 'She's like a drug… Keeps 'im going.'

'Ye mean to say she kissed the drunkenness out of him?' Hilde decided to join the conversation suddenly too puzzled to remain quiet.

'We should try that!' Duo beamed excitedly at her. 'Or maybe ye could… Ye know…' he leaned closer and whispered something in her ear.

'Eh?!' the black haired woman pulled away, blushing furiously.

'We cannot know that ain't what they did.' The braided man argued. 'What if it works?'

'Back to your posts! We're setting sail!' the first mate walked hurriedly past them.

'Already?' Duo questioned. 'Ain't it a little early to be settin' sail?'

'Early?' Relena paused, glanced up at the sky and chuckled. 'Duo, it's the middle of the day!'

'Late, then.' He amended. 'Midday's sun's not good for sailin'.'

'Aye.' Howard approached, followed closely by their two new recruits. 'Lad's right. Ye sure those're yer orders?'

'Well, we…' she blushed lightly, but went on regardless and even managed to keep a straight face. 'We meant to sail first light, but got a little side-tracked…'

'We decided to wait until ye had all recovered from last night's indulgences.' The captain descended from the quarter deck to join them.

The braided pirate elbowed the quiet lookout, entertained by their new crewmate's obvious nervousness. Trowa gave the smallest of smiles though he was not usually one to find amusement in others' discomfort. Howard stepped forward. 'Ahoy, Capt'n! These are Bones and Shivers. I've already given them the tour so they can start workin' right 'way.'

'Hn.' Heero nodded. 'Make sure to keep an eye on them.'

'Aye, aye, Capt'n. But are we really settin' sail so soon? Why not wait 'til sunset?'

'It matters not to me.' He shrugged. 'If the rest of the crew's in agreement ye may rest a while longer and we'll set off as soon as the lamps are lit.'

All present seemed pleased with the suggestion and the captain turned to leave. 'Wait!' Hilde suddenly held out a hand, frowning in confusion. 'But… Where are we goin'?'

To everyone's surprise – except Trowa's – Heero smirked. 'To rescue Chang.' He said and the other two mirrored his smug expression. 'From ennui.'

'Ha!' Duo too was suddenly smirking mischievously. 'I want to see the look on the bastard's face when 'e learns Lena's taken 'is place.'

'Bastard!' Zero's voice echoed from somewhere around the ship.

XXX

It took them longer to make their way back than it had taken them to reach Africa, even after the whole ghost incident… The seas were exceedingly calm and no one on board the Peacemillion seemed to be in any hurry to reach dry land again. More often than not, they dropped anchor for a few hours only so the crew could get some rest. One of the new recruits – Shivers – turned out to be an unbelievably good cook and the pirates almost made it a routine of sitting around their newly organised sleeping quarters sharing tales as they enjoyed a hearty meal.

It was all so peaceful and familial and heart warming that Relena felt almost sorry when Trowa announced their imminent arrival. She made her way from the forecastle, where she had been chatting with Hilde and Dorothy, back to the quarter deck slowly as if somehow she could make the ship also reduce its speed. Heero need only give her a brief sideways glance to know something was amiss, she saw it in the way his hands tightened on the steering wheel.

'What is it?' he asked after a moment, eyes straight ahead.

'It's nothing.' She waved a hand dismissively, suddenly feeling silly and embarrassed, but when the silence between them began to stretch she could not hold back. 'Doesn't it feel like a dream?'

He blinked. 'What does?'

'This whole voyage… I mean, ever since we left the haunted island, everyone's been so happy.'

'Hn.'

'Duo and Hilde are quite pleased with their new cabin and – I suspect – Quatre and Dorothy as well. Howard enjoys having his own subordinates…'

'Aye. While he sits 'round leadswinging.' The captain remarked, but there was no true anger in his voice.

'I think Trowa and Rashid have become friends! I saw them playing cards the other day, though they were so quiet I could not make out what game it was… Auda has stopped feeling sick and the new recruits seem more at ease around you. Though you could stand to be a little nicer, Heero. I have a feeling Shivers might've gotten that moniker partially thanks to you.'

'I am nice.' He informed her coldly, but the first mate's smile only widened. 'This ship's starting to look more like a village than a ship.'

'Are you worried about what Chang will say?'

Heero snorted. 'I already know what he's going to say.'

'You think he'll want to come back?'

'Depends on how well he's adapted to his new life.'

She sighed and squinted. The pier was still too far to be seen from anywhere but the crow's nest, but she could imagine it growing closer and closer. The wind seemed to have picked up, against her wishes, and she wondered if the dream would come to an end once they had reached the shore. 'You think he'll take my place? Chang, I mean.'

'He can't take yer place.' Heero's conviction was touching and a little shocking.

'Why not?' she questioned out of sheer curiosity. 'Didn't I take his?'

'It's hard enough sharing a deck with Chang… I'd never share a cabin with him, least of all a bed.'

The captain was deadly serious and yet it was the candidness in his annoyed tone that made Relena burst out laughing. He turned his head fully to her then, his eyes slightly wider and every line in his face softer. It still surprised him that she could find him funny in any way, and how warm her laughter always made him no matter how many times he might have heard it. Before he could think twice about it, Heero reached out, lifted her hand in his and gently led her to the helm.

'Heero…' she exhaled when he placed her fingers on the steering wheel and turned her head to look at him. He smiled and it was a smile like none she had ever seen before, its tenderness so raw it made her ache.

'She's yours.' The captain said before she could find her voice. 'Until we dock, she's yours to command.'

Relena took in a shuddery breath when her eyes ran over the vast expanse of sea ahead and the pier that remained to them but a tiny dark bump in the horizon. It was a monstrous responsibility. 'You'll stay with me?'

He laid a hand on the small of her back. 'Always.'

XXX

'It's yer turn to open the tavern.' Sally pointed out from her side of the bed not even bothering to roll over and look at him.

Wufei glared at the back of her head as he usually did whenever she felt the need to remind him to do anything, then groaned his acquiescence and sat up. He pushed a few light brown curls away from her face, impressed at how fast she could fall back asleep, but then she had been up until dawn kicking out the drunkards and it was only midmorning. It bothered him to think she had done all those things by herself for so many years… And, nevertheless, sometimes he wanted nothing more than to be back at sea. But it had been over a year and the Peacemillion had yet to return to Tortuga, besides he knew how much Sally cared for and loved The Scroll and Talisman… He could never ask her to abandon it all. Not for good and certainly not for his sake.

So he got up, dressed and made his way downstairs to tidy up before opening hours. They tended to keep things somewhat in order even as they served the customers, or rather tried to keep them in order for there was always something out of place. That morning, however, he found a lot more than only a few jugs and mugs left behind. Duo Maxwell sat at one of the tables, leaning so far back his chair stood solely on its hind legs, his booted feet were on the tabletop, resting beside a bottle of spirit. His smirk was as wide as Wufei's eyes felt.

'Ye broke into our tavern?!' the Chinese man crossed the distance between them so fast the braided man nearly fell in his desperate attempt to regain his feet.

'Ye were asleep! Wha' was I supposed to do?'

'Wait 'til the tavern opened like any other person, ye dimwit!'

'Come, come, Chang… We're family!'

Wufei's narrowed eyes revealed exactly how he felt about that statement. 'Where're the others? Hidin' somewhere?' he glanced warily around the saloon. 'Ye gotta pay for that bottle by the way.'

'God, how I'd missed ye!'

At the nostalgic sound of the braided man's sarcasticly cheerful tone, the Chinese man let out a defeated sigh. 'When did ye get back?'

'Just this morn.'

'And where are the others?'

'Well, ye know Heero. He was all uptight about us not showing here too early and then Howie suggested we rest a bit first, 'cause we had pulled an all-nighter to get 'ere even though no one seemed to be in much of a hurry. But how could I go to sleep when I knew I could have a drink at me favourite tavern instead? Spirits on board ended months ago, but the captain didnae 'ave the heart to buy us any more. In fact, forcin' us to sail all this way without hooch to boast morale's a really heartless thing to do… What a bastard.'

'Bastard!' another voice echoed and Chang was not sure what bothered him most. The fact that he had failed to notice the green parrot earlier or the fact that Duo just would not shut up.

'Maxwell.' He cleared his throat, cutting in before the braided man decided to resume his diatribe and made him lose his remaining sliver of patience. 'Ye failed to answer me question. Are the others on the ship then?'

'Aye, aye. They're on the ship, but they should be here soon enough. Capt'n wishes to know if ye want back in, after all…'

XXX

'Nay.' Wufei shook his head as he sat across the Peacemillion's captain. Around their table, the crew stood tense and quiet, but their expectations did not affect the Asian men's staring contest for it was drowned by the chattering and singing and clinking of bottles throughout the tavern. 'I don't wish to rejoin… I must.'

Heero did not even blink. 'Must?'

'Aye.' The Chinese man nodded gravely. 'I haven't been gone two years and ye've already let the skirts take over.'

Behind him, Hilde scowled angrily and fiddled with the handle of her cutlass, but Duo patted her shoulder, tittering, and it seemed to calm her down somewhat. Dorothy had a dark smile on her face and Relena – who stood behind their captain, therefore right in front of Wufei – sent a cold look their former first mate's way. 'I don't see what their gender has to do with anything.' Heero was calm, serious. 'They're as capable as any other crewmember. Some even more than the average… And if ye really are intent on rejoining, ye should know we might have another woman on board by the time we next set sail.'

'Another woman? It's a wonder yer ship hasn't sunk yet… And where do ye mean to find this other woman?'

'Barton.' The captain said simply, trusting the Chinese man to take his own conclusions.

'Ah… So the women aren't the only problem. I can see ye let Barton turn the ship into a zoological garden…' Chang nodded at the parrot on the lookout's shoulder. Trowa's eyes narrowed, but he made no other move. 'Now ye're lettin' 'im bring a whore onto the ship?'

'She's a barmaid.' The green-eyed man took a step forward. Heero raised a hand to stop him.

'Regardless of what she does for a living, this lass might soon be joining us. If ye're going to sail with us, ye should be aware of that.'

'Also I…' all eyes fell back on Trowa and he cleared his throat. 'I might've… Kind of… Rescued a monkey on the way here.' Despite his pink cheeks he somehow managed to keep a straight face.

The captain turned back to the Chinese man, his face completely blank. After a brief, pregnant, pause he shrugged. 'We've a new policy of helping those in need.'

At that, Chang snorted and, to everyone's shock, smirked rather widely. His eyes rested for a moment on Relena's hand which had discreetly alighted on Heero's shoulder and which for some reason the captain had not bothered to shrug off. 'I see…a lot has changed. But will there be a place for me on board the new Peacemillion?'

'You can regain your post as first mate.' The current first mate offered, and Wufei could not hide the momentary widening of his eyes. 'Heero and I…' she paused as if expecting a protest. It never came. 'Heero and I like to spend our breaks together and we're conscious of how bad it actually looks for both captain and first mate to be away from their posts at the same time, so… If you do come back – and the crew's in agreement – you can have your post and title back.'

'Ye're welcome to bring Sally as well if that is what ye both wish.' Heero added and, after a moment, the corner of his lips twitched upwards. 'If three women weren't enough to sink our ship, I doubt a couple more will.'

The Chinese man snorted.

XXX

Though the crew was all at the Scroll and Talisman, the Peacemillion was alight with burning lamps, its deck reflecting the warm orange glow. Relena paused for a moment as she reached the edge of the gangplank and took it all in. The richness of the wood, the darkness of the cloudless night sky, the sparkling stars and the salty breeze. It was a beautiful night and somehow she knew she would find him at the forecastle, eyes lost in the sea and the sky as the drunken singing and bottle smashing and cheerful music that marked the nights in Tortuga carried on in the distance.

'Why didn't you join us at the tavern?' she wrapped her arms around herself suddenly chilled by the wind. 'We were having so much fun!'

'Someone must look after the ship.' Heero did not move. 'What did ye think of her?'

'Who?' Relena had stopped by the mast to turn up the light of the solitary lamp that hung there. 'Trowa's lass?'

'Aye.'

She walked the rest of the way and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the captain, trying to see whatever it was he could see. 'She's sweet. Perhaps a little too sweet for all of this, but… Time will tell, I suppose.'

'Hn.' He finally turned to her then and – noticing her crossed arms – pulled her closer. Relena obliged, wrapping her arms around him underneath his overcoat, trying to gather more warmth. She felt him take a deep breath, inhaling against her hair before resting his head against hers.

'Heero?' she asked after a moment, when she had grown so warm and cozy her eyelids began to feel heavy. He was so soft and wieldy against her himself she feared he might have fallen asleep, but the way his hands slid up her back at the sound of his name informed her otherwise. 'Where will we be sailing now?'

'Anywhere we want.' He said simply, slowly, as if it took him an enourmous effort to speak.

Relena ran his answer through her head again and again, trying to decide whether she should reveal to him where she wanted to go. At last, she decided not to. It was too soon for him to face her brother again… The man who had arrested them and put them all through so much. No, she decided, those wounds were still too fresh. She tightened her hold on him until her arms burned and ached in protest, but Heero did not complain even though she could feel his breaths grow shallower under the sudden restraint. 'I wanted to see the place where you were born… Does your mother still live there?'

'I heard she'd died.' He was sufficiently distracted by the strangling hold she had on his ribs so his voice sounded completely neutral despite the weight of the words. 'I'd rather not go there again. Ever.'

'I understand.'

He sighed and closed his eyes. His body responded to her proximity, it sought hers like a moth sought a flame, but his mind was elsewhere. 'Relena?'

'Yes?' her voice came out so soft he barely heard it, her hold on him growing lax.

'I never did ask ye if ye wanted to marry me and yet somehow we got engaged…' the captain had been turning that fact in his head over and over for an awfully long time, wondering if that was what she wanted. He felt her smile against his shoulder.

'It matters not to me whether we get married or not… As long as we stay together.' She said simply and yet a part of her knew her mother would have been horrified, but that realisation only made her smile widen further. Relena felt rebellious, immune to law and custom, like a real pirate.

'Hn.' Heero quietly agreed.

She pulled slightly away then and gave him a long chaste kiss. 'You said "anywhere we want"?' her smile turned playful at that.

'Aye.'

'I know a place where we can go right now…' she gave him a meaningful look as her hands slid from his back to his waist.

'We can't.' the captain frowned and she could not tell whether he was displeased or frustrated or irritated or just extremely annoyed. He seemed to read the question on her face though for he quickly resumed. 'The monkey's in there.'

'Oh… Really?' Relena's eyes sparkled and – before he knew what was happening – she was dragging him with her to the quarter deck. 'I want to see it! Or is it aggressive?'

Heero had the distinct feeling she did not really care about the answer and would walk into the cabin one way or another, still… 'Nay.' He answered, but she had stopped and seemed to be waiting for him to elaborate. 'He's got a... A hair obsession.'

'As in pulling and biting hair?'

'Combing. Probably searching for lice.'

That seemed to be enough and she restarted walking, picking up pace. 'Does he have a name?'

'It's likely. Though I fear Trowa's forgotten to mention it.' At that, the captain could not help but snigger. Relena halted again to look surprisedly back at him. 'I do, however, think we should rechristen him Maxwell.'

'A monkey with a hair fetish?' her smirk mirrored his. 'Sounds just about right.'

'That's what I thought.' He said and followed her laughter all the way back to their cabin.

A.N.: Phew! So this is it, mateys! Time to drop the anchor and lower the gangplank so we can get off the ship. It's been two years since I wrote this story and revising it felt like coming home, in a way. I still can't believe how good this turned out to be and how long. I'm sorry if I got carried away with all the pirate lingo but I had so much fun writing this story I just could not help myself. Thanks again to all those who have reviewed and followed and favourited this story while it was being posted and also to those who are doing so now, reminding me of how special this story is for me. 'T was a pleasure sailin' with ye! P)