(Pirate)

"Everything about you is Illegal," Allissa Hayes spat as she regained her breath from being underwater for far too long for her liking. The sounds of the destroyed ships crackling from fire and weak frames filled the air. Smoke blew in the other direction making it easier to breathe.

The man who just tossed her to the floor of a wet ship leaned in close, his dark eyes and easy smile making it hard for her to focus. He smelled of the ocean, leather, and a touch of rum. He had a scar that traced from the right side of his nose, under his right eye, over his cheek, and under his hair that hid his right ear. It looked old but had passed the time of fading. With a smirk and a wink, he pointed to his chest where his wet clothes stuck to him shamelessly.

"Pirate."

His long braid of stark blond hair fell in front of his shoulder as wisps damp hair danced around his face in the slight breeze. The sound of the waves crashing on the boat while it swayed away from the debris of the short-lived fight echoed in her ears as she scoffed.

"Inbred."

Drenched from head to toe, Allissa rolled her eyes as she tried to pull her legs free of their bonds with her hands still bound together. She bit back a groan as the wind picked up, her clothes sticking to her in a wet tourchur device. Her fingers started to shake with the coming of the fall weather in her vain attempt to free herself. She wasn't about to ask a pirate for help, let alone the one who killed her brother and was smirking down at her. Taking a deep breath, Allissa fruitlessly continued to pick at her bonds.

Sudden foot falls slapped the deck as the burly second in command bellowed with labored breath, "We are not alone, Captain!"

Captain Jae "Scar" Carver tore his attention away from the soaked mouse of a girl at his feet and turned to his first mate. "More of Crowfoot's men? Impossible, we downed all their ships and the others fled. Explain!"

Burrows scoffed, smirking with disdain as he nodded his head out to sea. "Aye. The Commodore and his fleet. Three leagues due east off the starboard bow. Seven there are. Eating the wind like starved dogs as they were."

"The Commodore, eh Burrows?"

Burrows stepped forward, his eye landing wearily on Allissa. "Ya know who she is, right captain?"

Captain Carver let out a breath, nodding as he looked out over the water to find the English ships. "Wouldn't have dragged her out of the water if I didn't."

Sure enough, they were close enough to make out, seven ships in total. Unconsciously, his hand reaching up to tug at one of the many necklaces he wore. Allissa tried to look over the side of the ship but gave up to watch as her captor and target took no more than a few seconds to come up with a plan. With wild eyes that made her gasp, he turned around and looked to her, making her gasp slightly and freeze her vain attempts to escape.

Crouching down to her level, the Captain looked her in the face, his eyes narrowing as he tilted his head ever so slightly. Allissa moved back a best she could with her limbs still tied together but her back pressed against one of the masts, staying her retreat.

Carver pulled out a knife from one of his boots and held back a chuckle at the look of alarm Allissa tried to hide, her dark black hair plastered around her face making her big green eyes bright. Expertly playing with the blade between his fingers, Carver glanced at her, sneering.

"I have a proposition."

Allissa opened her mouth to preemptively refuse but he whisked the knife over to her leg, setting the blade gently on her knee, effectively silencing her.

Captain Carver looked at the blade on her knee as he spoke. "You won't want to pass this up. I won't offer it again." Gently he moved the blade down to the ropes around her legs, the rough material having rubbed holes in Allissa's dress and stockings, making him wonder how long she had been held captive by Crowfoot.

Allissa held her breath as she tried to keep her body from shaking. As much as she wanted to avenge her brother, she didn't like being scared like a witless mouse. Biting the inside of her cheek, Allissa nodded for him to go on.

Carver turned his head to her, his now dry, loose hair falling into his face a bit but his dark eyes still shone off the reflection of the waters. "Help me escape your father and I will tell you what happened to your brother."

Allissa's blood ran cold as she registered what he had just said. Dumbfounded she watched as the pirate cut her bounds around her legs and ankles. Her mind couldn't wrap around the fact the very pirate she had planned on turning into her father was the same one who just offered her the very information she felt deprived her of closure from her brother's death. And all she had to do was help the pirate evade her father and his very determined crew.

Pulling off the rope from her body, Carver then turned to her hands. But before he cut those too, he met her eyes, his hand holding hers as he waited with his little knife hovering. Rising his eyebrows, he leaned forward a bit, whispering.

"So? Do I toss you back into the water for your father to retrieve and you go wondering for the rest of your life if-"

"Yes," Allissa said breathlessly. Nodding as she sat up, thrusting her bound hands into his face, Allissa spoke quickly, "Yes. I will help you escape my father but on the honor of your pirate code I deserve answers for my brother's disappearance."

Captain Carver smirked, cutting her bounds easily and helped her to her feet with a strong hand under her arm. "Then on the honor of this 'pirate code' you speak of, please do your part and lead this pathetic bucket of ropes and nails away from your oh so merciful father."

Allissa looked around the ship while rubbing her raw wrists, startled to see it wasn't as large as she had assumed it was. Off the starboard bow, she noticed her father's fleet, now only two leagues away but gaining ground. Stepping away from Carver, Allissa looked off the side of the boat to gauge the freeboard.

"Funny you should call your pride and joy such a distasteful name." She looked back to her approaching father. "How fast can she go?"

Carver laughed as he put away his knife and came to join her at the shipside. "Eight knots on a good day."

Allissa made a face as she turned to him, shaking her head. "You have the worst ship for a pirate."

"Doesn't that make me the best pirate? Not all seamen can own a Dreamfair like your father." Carver chuckled as he looked out and stared down at the incoming fleet. Glancing at Allissa, he leaned toward her, tossing the bit of rope in his hands from her wrists into the waters below. "Perhaps it's a good thing she's not mine then. This," he patted the railing like an old dog, "is the Daisy. I commandeered her from Crowfoot a while back and find it utterly satisfying taking on his crew with a ship he deemed a dingy and used for hauling leftover crew and supplies."

Allissa stared at him as she tried to decide if that was hilarious or terrifying. But she was thrown out of her thoughts as the ship suddenly rocked and crewmen screamed. Carver grasped her upper arm to keep her steady as they looked around. Off the portside bow was two ships, but they weren't English. They looked beat up, but that didn't seem to affect their accuracy in firing cannons.

Burrows shouted from the other side of the ship. "Crowfoot won't leave well enough alone!"

Carver looked down at Allissa who turned to him with a mixture of worry and surprise. Carver laughed then let go of her arm but not before winking and whispering, "Pirate." He left her to walk around his ship, the cannons splashing around the ship, far too close for his liking. "Come on men, save the cannons for a real fight and get her ready to sail back home as if she were being nipped at her heels."

Burrows grunted as he tossed a couple of cannon balls to the side. "She is bein' nipped at 'er heels, ya lunatic."

Carver smiled as he clapped his friend on the shoulder and looked around. "Then this shouldn't be so hard, hmm Burrows?"

Allissa rolled her eyes again as she followed him, her mind already working on how to get them out of this precarious situation. Crowfoot was already attacking, her father was almost upon them, and this ship was truly a bucket of scraps. But she was Allissa Hayes, the daughter of William Hayes, well-decorated commodore and seamen who raised his only daughter to master the sea before she could master the dining room.

Coming up to the pair of men but not before glancing back at her father and grasping a cannon to steady herself, Allissa spoke over the bustle of the crew moving the Daisy out of harm's way.

"You won't make it out alive like this."

Carver turned to her while Burrows giving her a dark glance. "Doubt the captain and get yourself thrown overboard."

Allissa stood her ground. "He needs me or else he wouldn't have made a deal." Ignoring the skeptical look in Burrows eyes she turned to Captain Carver. "Have the men turn her south, we will fight the wind for a moment but as soon as my father becomes at least," she looked east and her heart dropped, "a half a league closer turn her toward them. They are going against the wind and their speed will push us past them once we catch the wind."

Burrow's brows raised and Carver smirked. Before Allissa could interpret exactly why they were staring and why they weren't hurrying to do as she said the ship rocked with another hit. Water sprayed her as a small section of the ship fell into the water. Burrows called for the men to hurry up and relayed her message to them. Carver pushed her behind him as he faced Crowfoot. The old pirate screamed angrily from the front of his battered ship, blood dripping off his left arm that hung limply at his side.

"SCAR CARVER, YOU DEVIL FOOL!"

Carver chuckled, "I knew you would come back for more. I told you what an honor it would be for you to die by the hands of such a crafty captain."

"YOU DISGRACE THE PIRATE NAME!"

"I wasn't aware we had such reputations to uphold."

Allissa watched as they yelled back and forth, feeling the ship move into the position she called for. But Crowfoot was too close and his crew didn't look like they were about to back down. Looking up at Carver, Allissa placed her hand on his arm, making him stop and look at her, his dark eyes furrowed.

"Too many pirates scare you, darling?"

Allissa ignored his tone and nodded to Crowfoot and his two ships. "We need to ignore them. My father will deal with them once we leave but right now the Daisy can't take much more."

Carver turned to Crowfoot who was still yelling obscenities and demands. With a nod, Carver turned to Allissa, his body blocking her from Crowfoot's view. His eyes were hard but calculating as he looked her over. Allissa stood up straighter and lifted her chin. That made him smile.

"Alright, darling, what do you have planned for my poor dingy of a ship?"

Allissa blinked then nodded. "Yes. Well, keep her steady and wait for my signal. Where is your ship if this one isn't worthy of a pirate's name?"

Carver smirked. "I'll tell you where she is the moment we are out of danger."

"You are going to have a lot to tell me once I save your skin."

Carver crossed his arms over his chest, leaning against the sad excuse of a staircase that lead to the ship wheel. "Who pulled who out of the water?"

"I didn't ask you to come save me."

"I don't hear a thank you."

Allissa narrowed her eyes as she fiddled with her hands behind her back. "You don't want to hear it once I get the information I need then turn you in to my father."

Carver chuckled. "You won't want to turn me in once you hear what I have to say."

"Right, because by that time I will be charmed by your personality and handsome face so much so you would have to leave me on a raft kicking and screaming so you could go about your swashbuckling life."

Carver raised his brows. "My, you know just what I was imagining."

Allissa rolled her eyes and refrained from getting up in his face. "Don't you like whisking away women and kissing them under starry skies before abandoning them on remote islands while to disappear into the moonlight?"

Carver took a step forward, his voice lowered, "Wouldn't you like that."

Allissa hardened her gaze. "In your dreams."

"Most likely."

The ship shook again and Allissa stepped away from Carver, her heart beating so fast she feared it was going to burst. Clearing her throat she turned to see the English fleet nearly upon them, the forms of the crewmembers bustling about slowing coming into detail. At the helm, she could see her father, his tall frame dwarfing those around him as his feathered hat waved in the wind. A ping of regret hit her heart but not before Carver's promise to tell her about her brother made her solidify her resolve to aid the pirates from her father's notorious grasp.

Keeping herself out of her father's view, Allissa made her way to Burrows who was barking out orders that the men quickly carried out. Reaching up she tugged on his shirt, doing her best not to think about the last time it was cleaned.

Burrows turned quickly, his face stern. "What girl? I did what you said."

"And for that I am grateful. Just wait a moment for me to give you the go to drop the sails."

Burrows glanced up at the masts, the poor ship truly worse for wear. "I hope you can do with what ya have. She ain't much but she's kept us afloat this long."

Allissa smiled, not missing the slight endearment in the first mate's voice. "Don't worry, Burrows, she will make it out in one piece."

"Darling, whenever you are ready," Carver called from the ship's wheel.

Allissa ignored her rushing heart at her new nickname and turned to him. "Just a moment more."

The ship shook from one of Crowfoot's blasts but the crew did their best to ignore it. The ship felt silent as they awaited Allissa's command. Keeping her eyes on her father's ship, she held her breath until she couldn't any longer, the Dreamfair close enough to start firing and let out her breath with a shout.

"NOW!"

All in a matter of moments the ship came alive, the sails dropped, Burrows bellowed orders and the ship rocked as it sailed effortlessly past her father's fleet. Watching them pass Allissa stood and froze, her eyes catching her father's. Almost in slow motion, she watched him leave, his face once sturn, slowly turning to shock. She turned away from him and raced up to the Captain and waited until she could hear the English started to take down Crowfoot and his remaining men.

Carver turned to Allissa, his eyes taking in her clenched fists and watery eyes. Turning the wheel to Burrows to joined them, Carver walked up to her, his hands behind his back. The crew cheered as they made way to their real ship, the Daisy creaking a sigh of relief.

Carver cleared his throat before he spoke. "Well done."

Allissa jumped and nodded, wiping away tears that had unknowingly fallen. "Don't think I did that for you."

Carver chuckled. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"Quite." Allissa afforded him a small smile. But she dropped it and eagerly turned to him. "My brother. What do you know? Why did you kill him."

Carver's eyes widened and he took a step back. "Now? You wish to know this now?"

Allissa nodded eagerly. "You promised and I don't plan on waiting any longer."

He shook his head. "You aren't going to like it."

"What could be worse than Devon being dead?" Allissa's dark hair waved in the wind, making her hold it back as she stared up at him with confused eyes.

Carver looked out over the water and didn't hesitate. "Devon still being alive."

Allissa dropped her hand from her hair and swayed on her feet, her eyes clouding over as she struggled to breathe. Carver reached out and caught her as her knees buckled, holding her to him as her body started to shake. Allissa growled deep in the back of her throat and pushed him off of her, sending herself to the floor of the ship. Shaking her head she ignored Carver as he called out her name and reached out to help her up.

"Lies," she hissed.

"I have no reason to lie to you. You have my word, your brother is still alive."

Looking up at him she glared, her jaw set and her fists clenched. Pointing at him with a shaking hand she nearly yelled at him. "Stay. Away. From me." Allissa turned her head away from him and let her angry tears fall as she tried to stand.

I understand that pirates have a crude sense of humor and find pleasure in ruining others' lives for the sake of personal gain...." her voice wavered as she closed her eyes against the reality of the situation, "But why would you lie like that?"

Carver let out a frustrated breath, shaking his head as he went up to her and helped her onto a crate, despite her attempts to shove him away. Allissa dropped her face into her hands, too shocked to sob.

"Do you find pleasure in toying with women and their emotions?"

"I may be a pirate and do a few unlawful things, by your standards, but I would never stoop so low as to toy with a woman's emotions." Carver came to crouch before her but kept a reasonable distance in fear of her lashing out. "Except for the occasional woman I leave on remote islands."

Allissa looked up from her hands and stared the pirate that crouched before her, slightly touched at his attempt to make her laugh, to which he almost succeeded. His dark eyes seemed less calculating and more...patient. His braid moved in the wind, his hair tossing lightly, but just enough for her to follow the rest of his scar to his ear. Or what was left of it. Puckered and mangled, his right side of his face suddenly gave her a different look into the life this man led. Looking away, Allissa bit back the questions about his scars forming in her mind as she let her questions about her brother whisper past her lips.

"Then tell me what happened to him," she glanced at Carver, her eyes pleading, "why has he not come home if he truly is alive."

Carver let out a breath and nodded, standing only enough to pull over a barrel of fruit to sit on across from her. Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands in front of him, his braid in front of his shoulder. Looking up at her, Carver held her gaze, unwavering, as he spoke.

"Devon was eager to find me. He had saved me from the noose once before when I was wrongfully convicted for a pirate crime I had not committed. At least that particular one. He didn't think it was anything special, but as I am sure you know, when you help a pirate they are in your debt." Carver chuckled, shaking his head as he picked at something on his pants, "Your brother was convinced he wouldn't ever need to count on a pirate for anything. That is until his little sister asked to see a one oneday."

Allissa's eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her hand. But Carver continued, his eyes smiling.

"He said he had been looking for me for a while and needed a favor. When he mentioned you and showed me a picture of the two of you and I saw the look in his eyes, I suddenly found myself half angry." Carver's face fell as he held Allissa's gaze. "I was jealous of him and his little perfect family. I was mad that the petty use of my favor to him. But mostly I was frustrated he came to me on that day of all days."

Carver let out a quiet curse. "He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time."

Allissa scooted forward, clutching her dress in tight fists. "I don't understand."

Carver reached up and moved ahead from her face before clearing his throat and continuing. "I had a debt to settle with some fellow pirates; Crowfoot, Dilly Sam, and Widower Reed. Sam had found the picture of you and Devon dropped on the deck. He made an unsavory comment about you and Devon nearly clipped him. But he didn't know there were other pirates. Reed mistook Devon as a crewmember of mine and decided to discipline him. I let him have a few hits but Crowfoot and Sam joined in.'

Carver looked away, not able to keep going as he watched tears well up in Allissa's eyes. "Devon was taking the beating well. Until he got a swing a Crowfoot and it landed. Sam pulled a pistol and shot. Devon went down but not before I stepped in. I played along, letting them believe your brother was of my crew and that beating him up was well enough for my debt along with the awfully large amount of gold I gave them. Widower Reed made Devon a threat, one I know to this day he would follow through with if he had the chance. Soon enough they were gone leaving me with a wounded son of the Commodore who had saved me twice now."

Carver smiled wistfully, glancing at Allissa before finishing his story. "So I helped him hide. He stayed on my ship for a few moons before he fell in love with the daughter of a merchant at one of the ports we regularly visited. For a year he worked for me to pay for a home and life with that girl all while sending money in small amounts to you and your father. Several times I had to fend off Reed and his men when they got too close. Knowing the pirates for who they were Devon didn't want them to find you and hurt you. So he kept his distance. Your brother would make for a wise ship captain if he ever left that girl of his."

Allissa stood and smacked his arm, making him jump and grab at his stinging wound. "Why didn't you ever tell us? Why did he let us go on believing we lost him all those years ago? Couldn't you have just sent us a private message or something in code?"

Carver stood, shrugging. "He never asked me to."

Allissa through her hands up and growled. "Men!"

Turning away from him, she started kicking crates and barrels cursing like a sailor and making promises to kill Devon with her own hands. Carver couldn't help but smile as he watched the little sister that loved pirates stomp around a pirate ship and yell at its captain.

Allissa was interrupted by Burrows joining them, is face only slightly happier than the few times she saw him. He turned to Carver and thumbed to the front of the ship.

"She's waiting for ya Cap'n."

Carver stood, his spirit suddenly lighter after what he told Allissa. "Thank you, Burrows. Tell the crew to dock the Daisy and transfer everything. Don't forget to alert the shored crew that we have returned."

Burrows gave an odd look to Allissa before nodding and leaving to yell at the other men. Alissa turned to Carver and nodded to the ship on the shore just less than a league away.

"Is that your ship?"

Carver went to sand the railing, his elbows on the damp wood. "My Darling."

Allissa joined him, her eyes narrowing up at him. "Do you call all women 'darling'?"

"Just the important ones." He winked at her to which she rolled her eyes as he continued. "Her real name is Darling Blue Jay."

Allissa laughed, taking Carver by surprise. She sounded like summer wind chimes his mother kept outside his window when he was young. Thankfully Allissa started talking before his memory could run him captive firm the present.

"That's quite a mouthful for a pirate ship."

Carver glanced at her, scoffing. "She's known by Darling only to me and the crew. And now you of course. Everyone knows her as Blue Jay."

Allissa waved her hands about, wiggling her fingers. "Oooo, the dreaded pirate ship Blue Jay. Strikes fear in the hearts of all those who hear her name." Allissa laughed.

Carver just stared at her, a ghost of a smile on his lips as her dark hair moved in the wind and her eyes squinted with her wide smile. Tugging on his braid, he turned to face her, leaning his side on the railing.

"Why is it I find my pirate life questioned at every turn?"

Allissa turned her face to him and held his gaze with her soft green eyes. "I suppose you aren't what I expected when I imagined "pirate"."

Carver leaned forward a bit. "Apparently I was for your brother."

"Apparently."

Suddenly curious, Carver leaned forward some more, their shoulders nearly touching. "Are you disappointed?"

Allissa looked up at him, her short frame suddenly grossly apparent. But she didn't shirk away. Instead, she got a good look at him and nodded. "Disappointed isn't the right word." She looked away and continued as she stared off at the Darling Blue Jay as she drew closer, her dark wood a stark contrast to the light sand and bright palm trees of the island it was docked at. "Pleasantly surprised may be too generous but after everything you have told me I can't help but find myself just that," she turned back to him, her face lit up in a small smile, "pleasantly surprised."

Carver had to remind himself to breathe as he looked down at her. When he heard there was a girl going around the ports asking about her brother Carver tried not to think about Devon and the possibility it was his little sister. It had been nearly five years since he helped Devon escape and the last two he had been successful in not constantly wondering if his family was free from the other pirates.

But Allissa had taken matters into her own hands. Crowfoot happened to be at the same port and had remembered her face from the picture. Just as Carver feared. But he couldn't do anything until Crowfoot was out in the open waters. It was Devon who had taken The Daisy so it was only fair to Devon for Carver to save his sister in her brother's commandeered ship.

When they came up to Crowfoot, she was bound and tied to the front of the ship, screaming and kicking but not crying. She had gotten free of her gag and was merciless with her threats and curses. Carver did his best to avoid taking down Crowfoot's lead ship before taking her down but the front of the ship fell into the water making Carver have to go after her. Since being on his ship, she didn't show a single sign of fainting or cowering in fear. Instead, she bickered and bossed him and his first mate around like this were her ship.

All at once he knew why Devon was so set to please his sister; Allissa was charming in every way but probably made his life a living Hell talking about pirates all the time. Still staring at her, Carver suddenly found himself wanting to give her the very thing she wanted.

"I'll take you to him."

Allissa froze, her smile slowly dropping. "You will?" She whispered.

Carver cleared his throat as he turned to the seat, the Daisy docking next to the Darling Blue Jay. Suddenly Captain Carver was nervous but he didn't take back what his irrational brain blurted out.

"As soon as Darling is ready I will take you home. Gather a few things," he turned to her with a stern glance, "a few things, mind you, and I will retrieve you when the moon is at it's highest."

Allissa just stared at him. "Why? Why are you doing this?"

Carver shook his head and let out a breath as he left the side of the ship to disembark. "Just be thankful and stop asking so many questions."

Allissa rushed after him, only to reach out and stop him with a hand on his arm. "I don't want to cause any more problems. My brother wanted to do something for me and he disappeared."

"Don't get all sentimental. I see this more as doing something for Devon. It's been awhile since I had seen him too."

"When did you last see him?" Allissa smiled eagerly.

Carver pretended to think. "Two months ago?"

Allissa smacked his arm. "Yes, oh how very long." She then stomped off, her hair bouncing behind her, her ripped dress whipping in the wind.

Carver shook his head and chuckled, clearing his mind for his new mission. He, too, wasn't completely sure as to why he was helping the Hayes siblings but he would do it all again if he had to.

~~~~~~~~~

Allissa stared up at the stars as she stood on the deck of the Darling Blue Jay. Carver stood at her side as the ship came to a slow stop at an abandoned port on the other side of the bay from her port town. He walked down the gangway first then, with ease, Carver took her by her waist and lifted her onto the port deck.

She turned to go but Carver kept a hand on her waist, stopping her. With a quizzical look, Allissa turned to him, her body well aware of his hand and how close they were.

Carver spoke quickly, not wanting to prolong her stay and get himself into any trouble. "Tell your father whatever you need to convince him to let you leave on time. I won't wait."

Allissa nodded. "Three days from now. When the moon is at it's highest."

"And please pack lightly, I don't have a whole cabin for just your dresses."

Leaning in a bit, Allissa whispered loudly, "Good thing I keep a few trousers. Perfect for running away with pirates."

Carver looked at her with an unbelievable stare. "You are enjoying this aren't you?"

She laughed again and nodded, making his small smile grow. "Far too much than I'd like to admit."

Letting out a breath Carver looked around before looking at her again. "I will flash a blue lantern off this cost. Look for a little dingy, Burrows will bring you aboard." Finally, he let her go and took a step back. "I have most of everything planned so please just do your part and get here on time."

Allissa gave him a small smile and nodded. "You don't need to worry about me." She turned to go, walking off with sure steps.

Carver was ready to turn and just leave her there, confident she could find her way back home when she suddenly turned around and rushed back to him. Before he could ask her what she wanted, he felt her hands on his shoulders and a soft touch on his cheek, right under his scar. Shocked Carver just stood there while Allissa smirked and took a step back.

"Thank you, for everything. I forgot to tell you earlier but I just thought it should be the pirate who gets kissed under the stars on the beach this time."

And with that she was gone, her figure disappearing into the night. In a slight daze, Carver returned to the Darling, looking out to make sure she was off the port. Ignoring the stares of his crew, Carver called for the ship to head back home to prepare for their long journey to see Devon. Burrows joined Carver at the helm, his face eerily grumpier in the lantern light.

"She is going to drive you insane."

Carver let out a barking laugh. "She already has."