Present Day

The closer they got to Nassau, the clearer the water became. The Ranger sailed into the bay and dropped anchor. Jackie could only stare at the scene before her. Five years going on six- a quarter of her life- was forever and yet no time at all. The scattered boats along the shoreline, the tree line made up of palms that sprouted when the town started, the fort that stood out against the sky- it was all the same. She was frozen to where she stood on the quarter deck so she tried instead to focus on the crew operating below her.

"Jacquelyn." Charles was the only one who could divert her attention. He stood with his legs shoulder-width apart and his hands resting on his belt, elbows cocked. It made him look more imposing- like his muscles were too big for his arms to rest at his sides. "We should talk."

"About what?" Jackie gulped as the pit in her stomach grew.

"The men want you to join the crew."

That he had to be fucking with her was her first thought. "No one's said anything to me."

"They know that you avoid Nassau," Charles explained. "They thought you'd be more likely to say yes if I were the one to ask you."

"I don't know why I'm so scared to set foot on that sand," she deflected.

"Your father's not there. He left after you did and now Eleanor is running the trade," he offered the information in hopes it would give her comfort.

"That's why," Jackie laughed without humor. "She's gonna give me shit."

"Jacquelyn," Charles said again. "We really do need another rigger."

Jack and Anne had found the perfect vantage point to watch their captain sell Jackie a place on the Ranger. "She said yes," Jack commented.

"'Ow do you know?" Anne furrowed her brow.

"The corners of his mouth twitched upwards," Jack explained. "That means he's happy which means Jackie said yes."

Anne snarled. She was probably the only one on the ship that didn't want Jackie to stay. "'E don't treat 'er right, Jack," Anne complained, her eyes never leaving Charles.

"I don't really think that's any of our business," Jack said, but trailed off when he noticed Anne's glare.

"I know what it's like to be trapped in sumtin bad," she reminded him of how he had found her. "If I can keep another girl from that- I damn well will."

Charles placed a hand on the back of Jackie's neck and with a little pressure, guided her to where the boats were being prepared to bring the crew, cargo, and supplies ashore. At the edge, Jackie stumbled, unable to bring her feet forward any further. Charles slid his hand down her arm to her wrist. "Come on," he urged gently. "No one will tell Eleanor you're here." He was able to get her onto the boat, but she sat in silence while the burly Hamund rowed.

On the beach, the crew immediately divided into practically equal thirds: those headed to the tavern, those headed to the whorehouse, and those who stayed on the beach to pitch their tents before getting drunk. Separate from them was the captain's group which included Jack and Anne who would see their cargo to Eleanor.

"Try to stay out of trouble til I get back," Charles said when Jackie elected to be a part of the beach group.

"Aye, captain," Jackie smirked.

Once the three were on their own, Anne declared that she wanted to talk to Charles despite glares from Jack.

"So talk," he ordered her.

"You don't treat Jackie right," she said while they walked.

Charles scoffed. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know you 'urt 'er and I know it ain't right and I know if she's scared she won't do nothing about it." She moved in front of Charles to challenge him for an answer.

"It's none of your business," he growled. "She's not scared, but if you're so concerned- how about you talk to her." Charles pushed past her and she fell in line behind Jack.

"Great, now you've pissed him off," Jack sighed. He knew an angry Charles Vane was an unstable Charles Vane.

‡‡‡‡‡‡‡‡

The man who made a pass at Jackie was a foot taller than her and the few teeth that were not missing were completely blackened.

"Try that again you fucking cunt!" Jackie drew her sword and as a natural reaction, the man drew his.

"Stupid bitch!" He yelled and raised his weapon above his head.

Before he could begin the downswing, Jackie barreled into him, shoulder first. She caught him off guard and off balance and he fell backwards into the sand. He took his blade and, reaching across his body, stabbed at her legs. He succeeded in piercing clean through her calf. Jackie yelped and gripping his sword, pulled it from her leg. The man was able to recover to his feet in that time and Jackie attacked. She cut across his chest since he no longer had a weapon to defend himself.

"Do you have a problem with one of my crew?" A voice behind Jackie asked, stopping the fight.

She looked over her shoulder at Charles and grimaced. "I don't need your help," she barked while her accoster ran off.

"No, but you'll need my help getting the sand out of that," he motioned to her leg that was bleeding profusely. "I thought I told you no trouble."

"I tried, but he started it!" Jackie tried to explain.

Charles put an arm around her back and other behind her legs, effortlessly scooping her up into his arms and carrying her bridal style to the tent. Putting her down inside, he gave her two options: "You can either take your pants off or I can cut the seam to the knee," he said.

"Get them off." Jackie began shimmying out of her pants as quickly as she could because she had no second pair.

Charles helped by pulling from the ankles. Once removed, he began cleaning the wound by digging out the sand and washing it. It hurt worse than the initial injury now that her adrenaline had worn off and she yelled.

"You just like making me scream," she laughed in pain.

"Trust me, if I wanted to make you scream there are more pleasurable ways to do it." Charles finished tying the bindings and kissed the top of her knee.

"Want to try it?" Jackie grinned. "My pants are already off."

Charles leaned forward, pressing their foreheads together, teasing her. "I'll make you a deal. Get some rest and when it won't hurt you to wrap your legs around my waist, we'll fuck until you can't walk."

Jackie lied back and curled onto her side, begrudgingly accepting the deal. Charles laid beside her even though it was still earlier and the sun would not set for another couple hours. He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her completely. On the ship, she had insisted on sleeping below deck with the crew, but now that he had her he planned to hold on.

Charles slept soundlessly beside her, but Jackie had just woken to the quiet outside the tent. She loved the beach at night and the empty silence told her it was late. So late, in fact, that everyone else was either asleep or passed out from drinking.

"No," Charles murmured, not quite awake, as Jackie tried to wriggle free.

"I'll be right back, I promise." She kissed him. "I'm coming back."

He acquiesced with a mumbled "be careful" and rolled over.

She limped out of the tent towards the ocean. A full moon lit Jackie's path for her, guiding her around bodies and shells alike. The sand changed beneath her bare feet, turning damp and cool. She dug her toes in and let the wake reach up and kiss her.

"Jackie?"

"Hello, Anne," Jackie greeted, but retained her position at the edge of the water.

"Are you alright?" she asked. "Not your leg- I mean with the captain. I understand what it's like to be frightened."

"Frightened?" Jackie scoffed. "Wait, you think he's beating me? Anne, he doesn't hurt me. I mean, he's a bit rough, manhandles me a little, but he does it because I like it.

"You like it?" Anne asked.

"It's basically foreplay." she shrugged. "Goodnight, Anne." Jackie limped back to the tent leaving Anne dumbstruck.