Yay! I already have another chapter up. Read and Review please.

Catherine readied herself for another punch as the men moved closer. She stumbled back until her back was against the wall. Without thinking she screamed as loud as she could. One man stepped forward and slammed her head back into a wall. This cut off her scream as her head swam. She slid down onto the ground.

Somewhere in the distance she heard her name. Maybe. Maybe not. She wasn't sure anymore.

So this is how it ends? No revenge for Maggie. I'll never get to kill the albino. There's no doubt they'll kill me after they do who knows what to me. I'll never see Arthur again.

This last thought surprised her a bit. But she knew it was true and it bothered her more than anything else. Yes, there was no doubt in her mind now. No matter what he had done in the past, no matter what was going to happen to Antonio, she knew she loved Arthur. She loved him more than anything or anybody.

Her eyes filled with tears as the men came even closer. She closed her eyes and let the tears stream down her cheeks.

Suddenly, she heard another set of footsteps come into the alley. She heard the sound of a man panting. Her eyes opened a bit when she heard a sword being drawn.

"Get away from her!" the angry blonde man shouted.

"Arthur?" she mumbled.

The two men looked around at the armed man. One stepped forward not thinking about the sharp blade in the shorter man's hand. Arthur swung the sword and plunged it deep into the man's chest. He fell with a short cough and lay bleeding on the ground. With another quick blow the other's neck was sliced open and he fell dead near his friend.

Catherine looked up at her savior through tear filled eyes. He looked back down at her, and then dropped his sword with a clang. Arthur dropped to his knees in front of the girl. She sat up a bit and hugged him tightly. Surprised, he hugged her back. She sobbed into his chest, clinging to him.

After a few minutes, her tears quieted. She looked up at him with a tearstained face. She blushed a little pulling away. He let go of her and stood up. Then he offered her his hand. She took it and stood up beside him. He reached down for his sword. He wrapped one arm around her and led her out of the alley. She quickly wiped her eyes as they made their way back to his ship.

It was slow going, but eventually they made it just as the sun was rising in the east. Arthur carried her up the ramp, and ignoring the glances from his crew carried her below deck. He looked down and saw that she was asleep.

Arthur carried the girl to his office and laid her on the couch. He kissed her forehead gently and left the room making sure the door had locked. Then he walked up to the deck where the crew was bustling around readying the ship for the morning voyage. He stood and watched for a few minutes.

"Excuse me, sir?" he heard a voice behind him ask.

The captain turned to face a young man who was looking up at him almost in fear. "Yes?"

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened exactly? To Miss Catherine?" the man asked.

With a sigh Arthur just shook his head. "She found herself in another bad situation."

The man nodded. "She seems to do that a lot."

"Yes…" Arthur trailed off, looking out to the sea.

The young man started walking away before his captain stopped him. "Yes, sir?" he asked turning back around.

"I appreciate that you care."

The man nodded. "We all do."

Arthur was a bit surprised by this but let the young man go without questioning him farther. The sun had risen fully in the sky and shined down at the pirate as he thought about what the young man had said. Surprised and confused he walked back below deck to his own room and fell asleep.

The next morning he woke up and ran up to the deck looking around for Catherine. She wasn't at her usual place by the railing. Just as he was about to go to the office to wake her up, he saw her walk up from below deck. He walked over to her quickly. She just stood there and stared at him. He looked down at her, not completely sure what to say or do. Then she handed him the key to the brig.

He looked down at the small metal object in his hand.

"What are you giving this to me for?" he asked in confusion.

"Well, I don't need it anymore." She said looking down sadly.

"Ah… I see." He slipped the key into his pocket. After a few minutes of silence between the two he asked, "Are you alright?"

"I am thanks to you."

She still didn't look up at him but he could hear the gratitude in her voice. He smiled a bit. This was the first time she had really shown any kind of thanks for anything that he did.

"Of course, love." He said.

Catherine turned to go back down to the office. Arthur looked after her before following slowly. She went into the office and left the door open for him to come in. She walked to the back of the room and looked at the map that was hung there.

Arthur walked over, and stood beside her. Finally he looked down at the blonde girl. She glanced up at him and blushed a bit before looking back at the map.

"What are you looking at?" Arthur asked.

"I don't really know." Catherine answered. She stepped forward a bit and traced the shape of Italy on the map. "I don't know what to expect. I don't know what to do."

Arthur watched her for a few seconds. "Catherine…" He paused until she looked back up at him. "You don't need to worry about anything. I'll make sure nothing else bad happens to you."

"I don't need you to!" she snapped and looked away. "I can take care of myself."

"I'm not saying you can't." Arthur defended himself. "I'm just saying it's okay to accept a little help sometimes." He hesitantly reached out to grab her hand.

She looked down at their hands for a few seconds before trying to pull away. Arthur then tightened his grip.

"Catherine, please listen to me!"

She looked up at him again. "I don't know what you can say that's going to make any difference." She blushed a little and tried to pull her hand away again.

"Give me a chance!" He finally let go of her hand but took a step closer to her. "All I want to do is help you."

"Why? Why do you seem to care so much?"

"Because…" Arthur trailed off not exactly sure how to answer.

"Because why?" she basically shouted at him.

"Because I love you!" he shouted without thinking.

His breath caught in his throat as he realized what he had just said. Catherine just stared up at him with an unreadable expression on her face. His face heated up with a dark blush.

For a few minutes they just stared at each other. Finally Catherine looked down. Arthur sighed and let his shoulders droop.

"I'm sorry…" he said frowning. "I don't know where that came from."

"Yes you do." She said. "You've been trying to tell me for months."

Arthur's face lit up bright red again. "How did you know that?"

"Antonio told me."

"Oh…" Arthur looked to the side. "Well, what…"

"What?" she asked a bit harshly.

Arthur flinched a bit surprised at her tone. "Do you l-" he stopped, unable to finish the question.

"I…" he heard her trail off uncertainly.

He looked back over at her. She had her hands clenched tightly into fists and was glaring at the floor like it held all the answers. After a few seconds her eyes flashed up to meet his. Her face softened a bit at his half hopeful half nervous expression.

"I do…" she whispered.

Arthur just stared at her, his face morphing into a mask of surprise. "R-really?"

Catherine nodded and blushed darkly. Arthur realized his face must have been just as red. A few more seconds of awkward silence passed.

"So…" Arthur started. "What now?"

Catherine shrugged and looked back down at the floor. They fell back into silence. Arthur looked away uncertainty plaguing his thoughts.

I thought it would all just fall into place when I told her. Well I hoped it would. But now I'm still just so confused. She's not saying anything. Well I'm not either but… What is there to say?

Suddenly he reached out and pulled her into a tight hug. She immediately tried to pull away from him. He only tightened his grip.

"Arthur! Let go!" she almost yelled struggling against him.

Finally, he loosened his hold on her and she pulled away pushing him back in the process. He stumbled back a bit surprised and looked at her again. She glared at him.

"Catherine…" Arthur started.

"No!" she said. "I can't do this! Not right now! Not ever!"

"Why not?" Arthur snapped suddenly feeling his temper flare up. "What's stopping you!?"

"It feels wrong!"

"What does!?"

"I can't be happy anymore!" Tears filled her eyes but she held Arthur's gaze.

"Why not?" he asked, his voice softening a bit.

"Because of Maggie!" Catherine's voice broke on her sister's name. The tears spilled over and ran down her face. "She's dead and it's my fault! It would be wrong for me to ever be happy again. I'm sorry but I just can't do this! I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you." She looked away starting to sob.

Arthur stared at her for a few minutes unsure of what to say. Finally he whispered, "It's not your fault Catherine. It can't be."

"You don't know. You weren't there."

"There's nothing you could have done to save her." Arthur stopped until she looked up at him. "I've known Gilbert for years. We've even been on the same crew together. Trust me, you couldn't have saved her."

Catherine stared at him for a minute then shook her head. "You just don't know what happened."

"Well how can I if you've never told me?" Arthur asked.

Catherine shrugged.

"Well, why don't you tell me?"

"Because…"

"Because why?"

"Because I don't know why!"

"Catherine…"

"I don't want to talk about it!"

"Please. I just want to help. You might feel better if you told someone."

Catherine just stared at him for a few moments. Arthur looked back at her expectantly.

Finally, she sighed and said, "Fine… I'll tell you if you think you just have to know."

Arthur nodded and grabbed her arm, pulling her over to the couch. He sat down with her next to him and waited. She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath before telling him what happened that night.

Arthur listened without interrupting even when she broke down crying again. He just waited for her to continue. After she was through he just nodded.

"Catherine love, it still wasn't your fault." Arthur said.

"But if I had just…" Catherine trailed off.

"No." Arthur shook his head.

"I shouldn't have provoked him."

"You couldn't possibly have known what would happen."

"I know but…"

"Catherine you can't keep blaming yourself. I mean, do you really think Maggie would want you to punish yourself for something that wasn't your fault?"

Catherine shook her head. "No she wouldn't."

"Then why do it?"

"I don't know."

"Then stop."

Catherine looked up at him with tear filled eyes. Arthur held her gaze for what seemed like an eternity. Finally she broke it by hugging the pirate tightly. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. Arthur's thoughts ran together as he tightened his hold on the girl.

Is this really happening? Yes it is. How long have I waited for this to happen? It feels like forever. She finally said she loved me! And she does. I can tell she's telling the truth.

Eventually, she pulled away and wiped her eyes. Arthur watched her until she looked back up at him.

"So, to Italy?" Catherine asked with a hopeful expression.

Arthur smiled. "To Italy."

His smile faded, however, when he saw her face drop into a frown. "What am I going to do?"

"What do you mean, Catherine?" he asked confused.

"I don't know if I can do it. I've wanted revenge so bad but I don't know if I can go through with it. I don't think I can kill him."

Arthur listened to her ramble on for a few more seconds. "You don't have to do anything you don't want to do."

"I have to kill him! For Maggie!"

"No! Killing him won't bring her back. But if it will offer you some sort of peace, I'll help you do it. But if you can't, it's fine."

"No. I have to."

"No you don't…"

"Yes, I do! You don't understand!"

"Catherine…" Arthur slowly reached out to brush some hair out of her face in a soothing manner. She responded by slapping his hand away. He flinched back a bit surprised.

"Just get out!" she screamed at him.

"I just want to help."

"I don't want your help!" She stood up and walked over to the door. He stood and followed her.

"Catherine, listen to reason."

"Get out…"

Arthur felt his shoulders slump as he obeyed and slowly walked out the door. The door slammed closed behind him. He jumped a bit surprised at the loud noise. Then he slowly made his way up to the deck.

Well that went bad in a hurry. I don't understand what happened. Why can't she just see that? I love her. All I want is what's best for her.

Suddenly someone bumped into him and he stumbled back a little. "Hey watch it!" he shouted.

"So sorry, sir." Mumbled a member of the crew as he flinched back a bit.

"Just watch where you going next time!" Arthur shouted.

"Yes, sir." The shorter man said starting to walk off again.

Arthur watched him for a minute before turning his attention to the small strip of land behind them. His home. He was leaving again. He always felt a twinge of sadness when he had to leave London. Then he suddenly remembered Catherine down below in his office.

I ripped her from the only home she's ever known. And for what? A small chance she MIGHT get revenge on somebody I don't even know I can find again. I was wrong. I should just take her home and go after him myself. Bring him back to her! Yes! No… She would never go for the idea. She barely trusts me as it is.

Arthur shook his head to clear it of these thoughts. Suddenly, he heard a warning call from the crow's nest. He looked out toward the sea and saw a large ship making its way toward his. His eyes looked over it. Even from this distance he could recognize it. He felt his legs go weak as one thought entered his brain.

Allistor Kirkland.

Catherine heard a commotion from the deck and ran up to find out what it was. She saw Arthur walking around frantically, ordering his men to propel the ship faster, ready the cannons, prepare for a fight. He looked utterly frazzled.

She'd never seen him quite like this before. Something wasn't quite right. She ran over to him a deep concern in her heart.

"Arthur." She tried to get his attention. When this didn't work she shouted at the top of her lungs, "ARTHUR KIRKLAND!"

He jumped a bit and looked over at her. "Catherine, what are you doing?"

"What's going on?" she countered his question with one of her own.

"See that ship." He paused until she nodded. "It's preparing to attack us. You have to get below deck. Now!" He started shepherding her back to the stairs leading below deck.

"No. If we're being attacked, I want to help." She planted her feet on the wood and refused to move another inch. She stared right into his bright green eyes.

Was that fear she saw there? Yes it most certainly was. What was he so afraid of?

"Catherine, you don't understand." He said. "That ship. I know the captain. He's bloodthirsty. Awful. You have to stay away."

"I can fight."

"I know but… It's not safe."

"I'll be fine." She patted the hilt of her sword. "I've got my weapon. I can help, Arthur."

Arthur shook his head. Catherine nodded. They stood staring at each other for a moment. Finally Arthur brought his hand back and slapped her. The shock of it made her take a few steps back. Then he grabbed her arm and dragged her down below deck to the brig. She stared at him shocked and confused.

"Arthur what are you doing?"

He opened the door and shoved her inside. "Maybe next time when your captain gives you an order you'll listen." Then he slammed the door and locked it.

"Arthur let me out!" Catherine ran to the door and started beating on it with the slim hope he might open the door. "Please Arthur."

After a few minutes of futile begging, she slowly backed away from the door and sat down in the corner. She felt a few tears come to her eyes and spill over her cheeks. Her face hurt where he hit her.

I don't understand what I did. He's never acted like this before. An order? He's never ordered me to do anything. I'm so confused. I just don't get it. He's acting just like him… But that can't be. Arthur's nothing like him. Besides for his temper… But why would he just get mad for no reason like he used to. I don't want Arthur to become like that monster. It just can't happen.

She tried wiping her tears only to have them replaced with even more. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. Worry and confusion plagued her thoughts as she watched the door, waiting for Arthur to come get her.

Arthur ran back up to the deck just in time to see the ship pull up beside his own. Men boarded his own ship and started fighting with his crew. Arthur drew his sword and plunged into the thick of the fighting. Blood splattered everywhere as men fell to the deck.

Suddenly, Arthur was ripped off his feet and thrown back onto the wood. He looked up to see a tall man with fiery red hair and bright green eyes. "Allistor…" he said fear flashing in his eyes. He felt himself being ripped to his feet again.

"Stand and fight!" he heard the man yell.

The man. His brother. He was back again. Why couldn't he stand up to him?

Arthur shakily raised his sword. Metal clanked on metal as Allistor attacked him. Arthur fought back. He was the superior swordsman but fear caused his hand to shake. Allistor got the upper hand and soon knocked the sword out of the younger man's hand.

Arthur dived for it as he felt his brother's sword slice into his upper arm. His hand found the hilt of his weapon and turned it hitting his brother in the wrist. Allistor dropped his sword surprised.

Arthur raised his sword and pointed it directly against his brother's throat. "Call off your men!" the victorious Brit ordered.

With a harsh glare directed at the younger man he shouted out the order to stop fighting. Slowly the brawl around them came to an end with Arthur's crew smiling triumphantly. The clanking of metal sounded out as the enemy crew dropped their swords.

"You've gotten better Arthur." The red head said.

Arthur just nodded.

"What are you going to do exactly little brother?" The man's Scottish accent was thick with a hint of teasing under it.

Arthur glared for a minute before turning and walking away. As he sheathed his sword he yelled over his shoulder, "Kill them all."

He quickly walked below deck, the sounds of a massacre behind him. He almost ran toward the brig and paused in front of the door to dig in his pocket for the key. He had been so nervous before about what would happen to her if she stayed on deck. Now he was just worried what she was going to think of him now.

How am I going to explain my way out of this one? Is she mad? Probably… I can't believe I actually hit her like that. I could've handled that so much better. Well what's done is done. I hope she won't kill me for this one.

He unlocked the door and walked inside. It was worse than he could have imagined. She had fallen asleep on the floor of the brig curled into a ball. She had tearstains on her face. A bruise was starting to form where he'd slapped her. He quickly crossed the room and dropped to his knees in front of her, gently shaking her shoulder.

"Catherine…" she heard her voice being called through the fog that surrounded her mind. She slowly forced her eyes open. The face looking down at her was fuzzy for a few minutes before he slowly came into focus.

"Arthur?" she mumbled, a bit confused.

"Yes, love. It's me." He answered.

Catherine suddenly sat up and pushed him back. Then she scooted back a bit glaring at him a bit nervously.

He didn't attempt to move any closer. They stared at each other for a few minutes before she shakily stood up and walked around him. He stood and followed her until he realized she was trying to go to the deck.

He grabbed her hand pulling her back. "No Catherine. Don't go up there right now."

She struggled to get away from him. "Let go of me. I'll do what I want!"

He tightened his hold on her hand. "I will not let you go up there!"

"What are you going to do? Lock me up again?"

"No…" he loosened his hold a bit.

She pulled completely away and ran up to the deck. He followed right behind her until she stopped dead in her tracks.

The deck was still covered in the bodies of all the dead men. They were methodically being thrown into the ocean by Arthur's own crew. Catherine just stared in horror at the scene before her.

"Why?" she whispered.

"Because we had to…" Arthur answered with a sigh.

She turned planning on yelling at him again but her breath caught in her throat as she started to sob. She suddenly hugged him tightly burying her face in his chest. She felt Arthur's strong arms wrap around her as her tears flew freely, probably ruining his shirt.

They stood like that for a few moments before Catherine finally stopped crying. She let go of him pulling away and ran back down to the office. As she expected, she heard Arthur's footsteps behind her.

She left the door open and went in laying down on the couch. He came in and closed the door behind him. She watched him walk over to the desk then back to the door then back to the desk. He paced for a few minutes, obviously thinking about something.

"Arthur?" Catherine asked.

He didn't stop pacing but said, "What is it?"

"Why did you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Hit me? Lock me up?"

He stopped pacing and looked over at her. She stared back confusion in her eyes. Finally he sighed and walked over to the couch. He sat down beside her as she sat up a little.

"The ship that attacked us was my brother's." he said. "I've seen what my brother can do and I couldn't let you see that. And I honestly wasn't sure I would make it out alive."

"So? It would've been better if I had helped."

"No. If we had lost he would've killed the entire crew. Including me. And more importantly you." He reached over to touch her bruised cheek. She flinched back. He slowly retracted his hand.

"I thought if I could keep you below deck he would think you were a stowaway or something and let you go. Especially if you were locked up in the brig." He continued.

"But you didn't have to hit me!"

"No… For that I'm sorry. I just lost control again."

"That's your excuse?"

"I know it's a pathetic one."

Catherine looked away not knowing what to say. Finally Arthur reached over and turned her face back as gently as possible.

"I love you Catherine. I would never do anything to hurt you on purpose." He said.

She blushed and pulled her face away from him. "How could you have not done that on purpose?"

"It wasn't supposed to be that hard…"

"But it was…"

"I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing! It's already done so don't worry about it. Just get out of here."

Arthur nodded and slowly stood up and walked to the door. Opening it, he left slamming the door closed behind him. Catherine laid back down and drifted off into a fitful sleep full of nightmares.