Stormy spared no glance at William as she quickly made her way back to the cabin.

I must see him now. He needs me. He protected me and now it's my turn to help him.

Her mind raced, and her heart fluttered.

James lay in the bed the sheet pulled up to his waist. The white bandage around his chest stood out against the tanned muscled body of his. A dark spot in the bandage proof of his injury. His face was relaxed as he slept, with only a paler look.

Stormy paid no heed to the big sailor as she crossed over to the bed. She didn't even hear him close the door when he left. She ran her fingers through his hair, and caressed his cheek.

"St...Stormy...." He whispered her name and nuzzled her hand, just like Buddy usually does. She looked over her shoulder at the closet. Buddy poked his nose out to reassure her he was still there.

"Everything will be ok now." Stormy said this to herself.

He is so handsome and hasn't shown anything but kindness, even if it was in a rough way. She shook her head he won't die like this, he can't.

Buddy wined and crawled on his belly half way out of the closet, his eyes watching her. He licked his lips and lay his head on his paws, as his eyes moved from her to the bed.

"St..Stormy...I'll protec..." His head tossed as if he was still fighting. His words left unspoken.

She reached out and touched his brow. "Fever? Already it can't be." She looked around and found a bowl of water and a rag on the table. She quickly started dabbing his face like her mother use to do for her when she was sick. Her hand was shaking as she patted his face and neck. His skin burned and her heart wrenched as he called her name over and over.

She stayed by his side for two days and three nights. She watched over him and tended him. She only let Borak near him to give medicine or help change bandages. She only dozed and took very short naps in the chair. His fever broke on the third night and he stopped calling her name on the second night. Now she sat watching for him to wake. The sun was rising and her strength was slowly ebbing away. She hadn't eaten much and he had only been able to swallow a little broth. She laid her head on the bed and held his hand. The last thing she remembered was a soft sigh just before sleep claimed her.

Captain James woke when he felt something take hold of his hand. He looked down to see Stormy passed out sitting in a chair her head on the bed. She looked thinner then before and she had dark circles under her closed eyes. Her hair was in a rough bun with a few strands curled around her ears.

Captain James let go of her hand and stroked her hair removing the pins holding it in place. Her hair was soft and even though it was a dull brown at a distance up close it had a beautiful multiple color tint to it. He rested his hand on her head and closed his eyes.

The door slowly opened and Borak walked in holding a tray. Captain James looked up and smiled at him as he saw the tender look Borak gave the sleeping girl.

"She is so small when she sleeps." He moved his hand back to hold hers.

"She has been by your side for all this time. Captain she wouldn't let anyone in but myself and that blasted dog. Who by the way is still standing guard by the door."
Borak set the tray down on the table next to the one that was brought in the night before. Only nibbles gone. He shook his head. "She hasn't been eating much either."

Captain James looked at her with a worried look. "You should have made her rest at least tie her up and force her damn it. You should know she can make herself sick doing this."

"Hard to do when she has been holding your pistol and threatening to kill any one of us who dared to disturb you." Borak helped Captain James sit up and handed a cup of tea with a special herb to ease pain.

Captain James chuckled and then grimaced as pain shot through his chest. "That sounds just like her. My own personal storm."

Borak cleared his throat, "Captain if you don't mind I have a few questions regarding Stormy."

"Lay her in the bed first and I'll answer your questions if I can." Captain James face had turned serious. He bet he knew just what questions Borak was gonna ask.

When Stormy was tucked into the bed still sleeping Borak started in with his list of questions. Some for himself other from John and William. All three had one question in common.

"How do you feel about Stormy, and what do you plan on doing with her?"

"Out of all those questions it seems this one is the most important to you Borak." Captain James looked over to Stormy who was sleeping deeply. "I think I care about her a great deal. I still don't understand what I feel, but it is impossible for me to see a future without her in it. All I want to do is protect her and keep her with me at all times. Is that wrong of me?"

Borak shook his head and laughed. "Captain you love her don't you?"

"Hmmm... is that what it is then." He chuckled "I guess I do then I love the little lady and I don't mind her dog being around either."

That was all Borak needed to know William would be heart broken, but it made him feel better knowing she wouldn't be used and dropped at some port along the way. He has grown fond of her the past three days. William was a love sick puppy ever since he'd seen her. John has also grew attached, after her loyalty to taking care of the Captain kicked in. She has a heart of gold and a temper as strong as a hurricane. Her beauty was also a key in how every man on board felt about her. She was their Queen now.

She could order them to walk the plank, and Borak bet each and everyone of them would do it willingly. Her smile is true sunshine. A pirate queen suitable for a pirate king.

"She is special Captain, don't hurt her." Borak said and shoved a spoonful of broth in James' mouth.