Guess who actually uploaded the next chapter quickly! I had his one at the ready, but as it's summer I'm going to try and keep the updates consistent. You can follow my tumblr for updates at prongswhatthefuck. Thank you - and, as always, please R&R!

CHAPTER 2

Lily surveyed the small shack that apparently passed for a room on this ship. There was a modest bed with questionably clean sheets and a nightstand adjacent to it. The one suitcase she had fit neatly under the bet and there was a decent view from a port window in the back. Overall, it would be perfectly tolerable for her brief stay with Captain Potter and his crew.

Truly, she felt a small bit of remorse for her attitude towards the captain, but really it for for his own good. The less he knew about her and her goings, the better they'd all fare. It's a shame really, he seems like a nice enough bloke. Perhaps she could have a little fun on board without revealing her journey or past. After all, she'll see this man for only a short time and then she'll never come across him again. Lily pondered the weight of her actions towards him as she changed into a clean shirt and breeches. She resolved that the next time she saw the captain, she'd be a little more friendly towards him.

Her cabin was located at the back of the galley, near the kitchens. Far enough away so that she shouldn't bother anyone extensively. Lily poked her head out her door and grabbed the first man who walked by.

"Excuse me, do you know where the captain is?"

"Ah Miss Lily. Yes, the captain gave me your orders. I'll show you to the first of them," he beckoned her to follow him. "I'm Remus, by the way."

She smiled at him and shook his hand. "What is it exactly that he has in store for me?"

As Remus climbed the stairs leading to the bow he showed a soft smile fighting back laughter. "Apparently you insulted James' deck and suggested a mopping. He thought that a deep cleaning would suit the ship better. So…" Remus picked up a bucket of soapy water and a sponge. "You'll be cleaning the deck with this."

"You're joking."

"Afraid not. It's best not to insult the man's ship; he's very protective of her,"

Lily took the bucket and trudged her way to the front, water sloshing around wetting her boots and calves, and began scrubbing.

The sun was well past high noon by the time Lily took a break. She left the bucket where it was and went in search of lunch from the kitchens. Gaggles of crew men passed her on her way back, and she supposed them to have just finished taking their lunch. Hopefully there'd still be some left; sailors were always throwing up from sea sickness or drunkenness, leaving the food supplies even further dwindled.

A large man with arms as thick as her thighs (though not nearly as hairy) cleaned pots at the back. Lily cleared her throat, prompting him to stop the tune he was whistling and face her.

"You must be Lily," he said with a thick accent, though she couldn't quite place it. "The Captain told me you'd be coming down to help. Have you had anything to eat?"

She shook her head and he immediately grabbed a copper bowl and mug and served her cold gruel and a helping of rum.

"I'm sorry it's cold, you usually have to fight your way for a warm serving. But I think I could work something out for you, seeing as how were going to be working together."

"That's very kind. But I warn you, I'm not a great cook."

"With the ingredients we have, you don't have to be. It's as easy as throwing things in a pot and leaving it to stew for a bit. I will need your help prepping though."

"That I can do," Lily smiled at him. She finished her gruel but passed on the rum. "I should get back out there. Captain has me scrubbing the whole deck…"

"He's just being an arse 'cause you insulted his ship. He'll get over it in day's time, you'll see."

"What is it about this bloke and his ship?"

"Captain Potter loves his ship, his friends, and the sea. Insult one you won't be in his good graces for a while. But he likes you, so I wouldn't worry too much."

Lily called her thanks over her shoulder, muttering just how much she cared to worry about Potter as she headed upstairs.

She scrubbed for a few more hours until it was dark. Lily had just the steering deck left to clean and James was conveniently on duty for the hull. The better option would be to grab dinner and finish her work tomorrow, however, the crew was all below deck and the pettiness inside her told her to keep cleaning - and should he chance to see the hard work he was forcing her to do then so be it. He'd just see how well she was handling the routine work of a sailor at sea.

When she'd climbed to the hull, he hadn't ackowleged her in the slightest so she continued scrubbing. Eventually she ran out of areas to scrub that weren't around his direct vicinity. Lily swallowed her pride to wash the floor next to the captain's feet. Some soapy water may or may not have been spilled on his boots during that proximity.

"Oy!" James cursed.

"My apologies, Captain. It won't happen again," Lily smiled sweetly up at him and feigned innocence.

"What are you even doing up here? Didn't you have dinner?"

"I was going to get it after I finished washing your deck with only a sponge and dirty water."

"Well you're not doing a very good job at it. There's mud all over the place."

"What?" Lily shot up from the floor to survey the deck from his point of view. Throughout the course of the day, the remnants of dirt from all the crew member's shoes had undone all her painstaking work.

She turned to James with her mouth agape. "I swear I scrubbed them! I don't know what happened…"

James chuckled as he watched her flounder for an explanation. "It's okay, Lily. I know you did. This is a pirate ship after all, floors can only stay clean for so long."

There was a moment of silence as each contemplated their situations. After a brief period, Lily spoke first.

"Why do you care about this ship so much?"

James took his gaze off the horizon to meet her eyes. "I built this boat from scratch. I've been working on it ever since I was a lad."

"That's pretty impressive," mused Lily. She really asked the question to offend him and his irrational love of an inanimate object, but his answer had been surprisingly sincere.

"Even considering you never apologized for insulting my ship, I told you something personal about me. I think that deserves a last name."

Despite her prior resolution to evade giving this man any information about her, she told him.

"Evans."

"Lily Evans; has a ring to it." grinned James.

"Don't make me regret telling you that." She warned him with a finger wag as she picked up her bucket and sponge to go back downstairs.

"You won't. Goodnight, Evans." He called after her.

She turned to look over her shoulder at him. "Goodnight, Potter."

Lily quickly turned around to hide the blush that stolen its way to her cheeks and made way for her cabin.