Chapter Eight: Whispers

A/N: So it's been about a year but we're still here! This chapter is a lead-up to big confrontations happening soon ;)

As usual, a huge thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favourited and followed.


"Can I help?" John asked, watching as Gia cleaned about the room in the tavern he'd been confined to. She couldn't help herself – whenever her mind was busy, her hands had to be kept occupied. She was still fuming about Darrien brawling with Flint. The last thing they currently needed were more enemies, especially with things so tense in Nassau.

"No. You sit."

"Sit with me then," John insisted, patting the spot on the bed beside her.

"Alright." Gia put down the pile of folded, clean clothes and sat down. She examined the still-healing stump. "How's the leg?"

"The same as ever." John's tone was morose. She couldn't blame him – it must be frustrating to lose a limb, to have to accustom to life without it. He was in better spirits than many others would be.

"It's looking better," Gia stated, attempting to cheer him. She knew that, were she in his position, she would absolutely hate being cooped up in a room. He shrugged his shoulders in response, before nodding slowly.

"It is better."

She leaned in and kissed him, and he responded with enthusiasm, putting an arm around her and drawing her closer. It had become clear that John wanted this to be something, and she thought she might be alright with that – even if it was just a sexual something for now. Gia peppered kisses down his neck, her lips curving into a devilish smile as he groaned.

"Tease," he accused hoarsely.

She drew back and raised her eyebrows. "I can stop, you know."

"Who said I wanted that?"

"What do you want?" Gia asked, although judging by the lustful gleam in his eyes, she knew precisely what he wanted. John pulled her closer and made short work of unlacing the front of her dress, baring her breasts to him.

"You, of course."

Gia pushed him back against the pillows, straddling his lap as he groped at her. She ran her hands down his chest before they drifted lower still, unbuckling his belt and tugging his pants down. He was already hard, but she stroked his cock a few times anyway, smirking as he groaned and arched into her touch. John hiked her skirt up and Gia lowered herself onto his cock.

It had been some time since she'd had sex. Darrien had been preoccupied with Max, and although Gia was aware there were members of her crew she could have brought to her bed, it just didn't feel the same. She did not trust any of them as she did Darrien, and knew a sexual relationship could give them a head for power.

Gia rocked her hips, savouring the pleasure of riding him. She let her head fall back as John gripped her hips and rocked against her. The bed creaked and thumped against the wall, but she didn't care if anyone heard them. Gia splayed her fingers on her lover's chest, arching back and rolling her hips faster. John seemed rather preoccupied with her breasts, reaching up to grope her every now and again.

"John…" she gasped, raking her nails down his chest. She could feel the familiar heat rising in her body. He bucked against her with more vigour, and Gia cried out as her entire body shuddered. John climaxed moments later with a grunt. She rolled off him and allowed him to hold her close.

"I quite enjoyed that," she remarked.

He laughed breathlessly. "So did I."


Darrien missed bathing. It was an odd thing for him to miss, but it was one of the things he missed when he was sailing. Max had noticed he was often in the bath from when the water was boiling hot to when it turned stone cold when he was ashore. He supposed it was due to how relaxing it felt to just lay in the water. He often found himself falling asleep easily, which had become increasingly difficult as of late.

He glanced across to Max who was sitting on their bed, happily relaxing as well. "How's the baby?"

"The baby is doing well." She smiled over at him, opening her eyes and watching him as he got out of the now cold bath, tugging his pants on. He could see her eyes travel over his body, as her lips curved into a smirk.

"That stare got you into that mess." He teased her with a wink.

"Ah, but I am hardly the first." She grinned, a subtle tease in regards to his child with Gia. The bed bounced as he flopped beside her, resting his hand over the one that was on her stomach. "Not too long to go now."

"Does it excite you?" He questioned her as he pulled her close against him, circling his arms around her protectively.

Max nodded, resting her head against the crook of his neck. "It does, but it also worries me a little. You are concerned."

"Of course I am." Darrien buried his face in her hair, tightening his grip on her.

Max shifted slightly so she could face him better, resting her hand against his cheek. "Don't be."

"I can't help it." He chuckled, kissing across the palm of her hand in a gentle manner. It somewhat surprised her how gentle he was one moment, and how cruel he could be the next. "Had any troubles here?"

"No, all has been well of late." She assured him, stretching out on the bed happily as he shifted beside her to allow her more room to move. "How are things with your crew?"

"Same as always." He smiled at her, raking a hand through his hair and pushing it from his face. He was beginning to think that he would need to trim it soon, before it got too out of control.

Max ruffled his hair as he fixed it, grinning at the scowl that formed on his face. "I hear you fought with Flint."

"He hit first." Darrien defended himself, prompting Max to just shake her head at him.

'You cannot solve things with your fists." She reminded him, stifling a yawn. Her pregnancy was beginning to make her more and more tired. She watched Darrien as he put his hand on her stomach again, smiling down at her. "You're thrilled, aren't you?"

Darrien nodded. He had been exited from the moment that she had told him she was pregnant. "Of course I am. I like children."

"I can tell. You are very good with your daughter." Max had noticed that about him. For someone who acted as tough and macho as he did, he was good with his kid.

Darrien kissed her cheek, pushing a piece of hair out of her face. "You'll be a good mother."


John regarded the residence of Gia's mother with awe. He understood just how much the female captain must trust him to bring him to this place. Although she was not one to say how much she cared with words, this gesture proved she did hold true affection for him. Her crew said they were the only ones to have visited the home of Gia's mother, Camilla Dubois.

"It's a nice place." John's gaze raked over the double-storey house. It was rather plain, but an impressive size, particularly for a woman on her own. Camilla's property was not small – the edge of it was marked by a small well.

"Mama!" A little girl, no older than three or four, ran outside with her arms outstretched and a delighted expression on her face.

"What are you doing running around out here, hmm?" Gia scooped the child up, pressing an affectionate kiss to her cheek. There was an immediate softness around this little girl, a tenderness rare in Gia. There could be no doubting from the big blue eyes and unruly dark hair who this child was – Gia's child.

"This is Siobhan, my daughter."

"Hello." John was a little uncertain how to interact with the curious child. "My name is John."

She grinned. He knew that mischievous look. "Hello."

Propping the girl on her hip, Gia made her way inside without announcement. John saw no sign of Camilla, and wondered if the older woman was out. There could be no doubting that Gia's money kept her mother comfortable, so he supposed she must come and go in this house as she pleased.

"When do I see Papa?" Siobhan whined.

"Soon, love," Gia promised.

"Darrien?" John guessed. He had heard talk about Darrien's daughter, and knowing that Gia had one put together the pieces of the puzzle. The two were awfully close. It did not overly surprise him to know that they'd had a child together.

"Yes, Darrien is her father," Gia confirmed.

John shrugged his shoulders. "I had heard rumours. She looks like him."

"She has my eyes," Gia said proudly, setting the child on her feet. Siobhan looked between the pair of them with wide eyes.

"I make tea? Nana teach me."

"No, no. I'll make the tea." Gia bustled into the kitchen instead. John was so used to see her fierce and outspoken that this was a change. Domesticity did not suit Gia, but she set to the task of boiling the water without complaint. He could not imagine her doing this as a regular occurrence. Despite her upbringing, she was a woman suited to the high seas, and the task of piracy.

"Where is your nana?" Gia asked, looking down at the little girl who followed her around like an eager shadow.

"Markets."

"What have you been doing today?" John asked, attempting to make conversation with the child.

"Cleaning," Siobhan heaved a dramatic sigh. He had to say he understood that – no child enjoyed such an activity.

"Was it fun?"

The girl scrunched up her nose. "No."

He laughed. "It never is."


Darrien looked up from his disassembled gun as he heard the door to his room open. He placed the parts on the table before examining Max, who was eyeing him as she walked into the room. He was clad in only his pants, with his hair loosely tied back as he sat cleaning his guns. "Evening."

"Darrien." Max greeted him, walking over to the table and sitting across from him, watching as he began to put the pieces of the gun back together.

Darrien set the gun back on the table, leaning back in his chair as he watched her. She had been keeping secrets from him for a while now, and it was starting to test his patience. "So. What's happening with the gold?"

Max arched an eyebrow at him. It was the first time they had spoken of it since they'd gone and retrieved it, much to everyone else's displeasure. "We are working to rebuild the fort."

"You're going to store it there? Will it be safe?" Darrien questioned, getting to his feet and pouring himself a drink.

Max nodded in confirmation. "Once the fort is finished, it should be. Why?"

"I want to make sure that I made the right decision getting it." Darrien answered as he sipped his drink, looking out the window, examining the sea. It looked as though it would be calm for a few more days, and he was keen to get back out on the water as soon as Gia was ready to sail again. He was beginning to go stir crazy.

"Of course you did." She assured him, watching as he paced about the room. He clearly seemed agitated, but she couldn't put her finger on a reason as to why he would be. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." He told her, watching as she got to her feet and moved over to him, resting her hand on his cheek. She kissed him softly, smiling as he returned the kiss before pulling away. "I'll see you later."

Max frowned at his words, not understanding why he was suddenly wanting to leave. "Where are you off to?"

"Just for a walk." He told her as he grabbed his shirt and tugged that and his boots on before walking out, well aware of Max staring at him as he left.


Gia paced back and forth in the sitting room of her mother's house as Darrien watched from the lounge, a drink in his hand. Since hearing the whispers of the latest arrival, Gia had retreated to Camilla's house, uncertain how to proceed with the knowledge that the man she both hated and revered was here.

Blackbeard. Edward Teach. Her father.

"Teach is in Nassau." Her voice was sharp. She wished that he could stay away. He hadn't been here in many years, why would he show his face now? Most likely because he knew that Eleanor Guthrie no longer had control of this place. Gia knew that there was no love lost between them. Yet another woman Teach had annoyed.

Darrien raised his eyebrows. "That's why you seem pissed."

"Yes, that is precisely why." Gia wheeled to face him, unimpressed with his ability to take this seriously. "I can't imagine why he's here."

"You should see him," Darrien suggested, causing her to examine him. It was true that she had been considering it – but what good would come of such a meeting? She was still full of bitterness toward the man for abandoning her, and couldn't imagine that it would be a pleasant exchange. Still, she was curious for his reasons for returning.

She frowned. "Why?"

"He's your father." It was as if the words meant something, as if him being her blood relation meant that she needed to keep an open mind about him being in her life.

"He left me, Darrien." Gia's voice trembled and she rubbed her arms. He was one of the very few people she allowed herself to be vulnerable around. "Why should I talk to him?"

Darrien sighed. "He's still your father."

"So he fucked my mother and married her for a couple of years." Her tone was derisive, her eyes flashing with fury. "What of it? I will try, but I make no promises that it'll be a civil conversation."

"It doesn't need to be." Darrien watched as she raked her hair back. "You'll be fine."

"I haven't seen him since I was a child." The idea of confronting him was one she'd dwelled on for many years, but one she'd never assumed would become a reality. What would she say to him? How would she convey how deeply he'd hurt her?

"You don't have to see him but you've clearly been considering it."

She hated that he knew her so well. "I have. I don't know what I'd say."

"You'll figure it out."