Sorry for the delay - I wanted this chapter to be just right :-) Please review with your thoughts and opinions - I love to hear them! Thanks and hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 10

Silver emerged onto deck with a monumental scowl on his face that warned everybody off apart from the unfortunate Morgan who approached him with a cheery

"Alright Barbecue?" Which was met with what could only be described as a growl.

As Morgan backed away hastily Silver put his head in his hands, she would never trust him again that was for sure, but what else could he have done? She could have blown the whole thing and he had no liking for the noose.

"Silver." The captain called and Long John's heart gave a judder as he turned to see the captain standing with Jim – had the boy told him?

"Aye Sir." He answered, playing it safe, the boy ducked his head.

"We need provisions. Gather some men and see to it that we have them." The captain ordered curtly and Jim's eyes grew wide.

"But Sir -" He tried but was silenced by a glare from the captain.

"You mean go to shore, Cap'n?" Silver asked incredulously, exchanging looks with a few of his men – this was if anything too much of a good turn.

"Yes of course Silver now snap to it." Said the captain somewhat grimly, and Jim shuffled his feet.

As Silver gave a sharp salute and began to ready the men for the trip the Captain turned to Jim,

"I will gather the officers together lad, you lay low for a while then join us in my cabin where we will discuss the best plan of action."

Understanding dawned in Jim's eyes as the Captain busied himself with finding the trusted men, the man was no fool. He could see Silver speaking to the crew, gesturing avidly with his hands and grinning widely and it sent a chill down his spine – how could someone so outwardly jolly and kind have such malice buried within him?

He scanned the deck from his vantage point for Scarlett but couldn't see her, he figured she must still be below deck. The thought of her made his stomach clench with guilt, maybe he'd spoken too soon and too harshly before...although she was in with Silver...but then, Jim thought suddenly, she hadn't told Silver that he knew of the mutiny so surely...maybe...

That thought made up Jim's mind and he walked briskly across the deck and down the stairs to the galley.

Scarlett was sat in the same place she'd been since Silver had left her with his final, awful threat. She knew he wasn't bluffing, if he thought it would save his neck he would kill her and what is more he would kill Jim. She couldn't let that happen.

She heard her name and looked up to see Jim standing at the foot of the stairs, she quickly ran a hand across her tear-stained face and gathered herself, getting to her feet and managing to keep her head held high.

"What do you want?" She asked in a frail imitation of her usual imperious manner.

Jim's brows drew together, it was like a physical blow seeing her like this when she was normally so in command, she was shaking and tears had etched lines down her beautiful face. What was more he could see the beginning of bad bruises on her upper arm and left collarbone, it was now his turn to shake but for him it was anger that shook him.

"Who did this to you?" He asked furiously and she turned away to hide the renewal of her tears.

"What do you care?" She replied quietly, trying to keep her voice from shaking. She couldn't talk to him, Silver might see and the possibility terrified her.

"Of course I care. Scarlett?" He said her name in a voice throbbing with emotion but still she could not turn round.

"I would like you to leave." She said, wrapping her arms round herself and stifling a sob, that was the last thing she wanted. She wanted him to stay and comfort her, tell her it was going to be okay.

"Well damn it I won't leave." Jim snapped, striding to stand in front of her. "Not until you tell me what's going on."

She couldn't look him in the eyes, he was so honest, good and handsome. What right had she to want him? To feel the things she did for him? None. She had been brought up by a drunkard and a gambler then sold to a pirate, lived amongst dishonest, brutal men, murderers, pirates, thieves – she'd seen them all, served most of them rum. And she'd given up caring, buried her morality with boys and flirting and pretty dresses, gifts and laughs. What right had she to love this young man?

"I can't." She whispered, both to herself and to him.

"Did Silver do this?" Jim asked as he gently caught her chin in his hands and tilted her head towards him.

She assumed he meant the bruises that must have formed.

"I fell, silly me." She lied with a slight smile. Her jaw ached where he'd struck her.

"Scarlett for God's sake!" Jim yelled suddenly, "I can see that you don't want to be a part of this, you're not like them – you know you're not."

Scarlett tried to pull away from him but he stopped her, pulling her even closer to him so that she could feel his hot breath on her cheek as he spoke.

"You don't have to go with him." Jim whispered and she closed her eyes. Her skin was so pale, it made her look delicate, breakable, as if she were no sturdier than a butterflies wing.

"Yes I do." She said slowly, her eyes still closed.

"I don't understand. Please tell me you're not like them?" Jim asked urgently. He didn't think he could bear it if she was, every time he saw her, touched her his feelings towards her grew more intense and the thought that they'd kissed, the memory of her lips on his was constantly on the edge of his thoughts as was she.

"No. Please believe me when I say I am not like them. I am not willingly a part of this." She said, opening her eyes.

"Then why?" Jim asked persistently. "Whatever it is, we'll find a way round it." He promised.

Her eyes searched his in fear and he could feel her trembling.

"He'll kill you." She whispered, the very words sending a flash of pain across her face.

Jim looked at her, that was the last thing he'd expected her to say – he had anticipated threats against Scarlett's life not his. Why would the threat of his death play a part in keeping her silent unless...unless she felt something for him. The breath seemed to catch in his throat.

"Scarlett, do you -" He tried to speak but was unsure what he wanted to say.

She clasped her hands behind her back, twisting her fingers – no going back now, she told herself.

"I think I'm in love with you." She blurted out then clamped a hand to her mouth in shock – she'd said it!

A slow smile spread over Jim's face and Scarlett winced – was he laughing at her? She'd never told anyone she'd loved them before, had never loved anyone before and she had not been prepared for the immense vulnerability it made her feel.

"Ummm." She said awkwardly, not daring to look him in the face. She who was usually so bold was cowed by the mere thought of looking into his face!

Jim hadn't felt this happy in a long time, the glow her words had sparked in his heart has spread throughout his body – was it possible that this girl he loved, this beautiful, complicated, maddening girl loved him back?

Scarlett felt his hand on the back of her neck and reluctantly met his eyes.

"Scarlett I love you too." He said gently and her smile was the widest he'd ever seen.

Without warning their lips met in an exultant kiss that was very different from the last impassioned kiss they'd shared – this one was soft and tender.

After a minute Scarlett pulled away,

"As nice as this is," She said rather breathlessly, "just what are we going to do?"

Jim came back to reality with a jolt.

"Listen, it will be fine." He soothed her, entwining a hand in her luxurious curls. "The Captain and his men will protect you and you need not worry about me. Silver won't be able to get to me."

Scarlett nodded slowly.

"It will be fine?" She asked, both seeking and giving reassurance.

"Without a doubt." Jim said firmly.

Scarlett nodded and pressed her soft lips to the base of his throat.

"You need to go." She murmured against his skin, "I will tell them I am unwell when they come for me, then after they have gone I will join you."
Jim nodded and they exchanged a hurried kiss before he dashed up the stairs to the Captain's cabin.

Scarlett stood, smiling then hopped up to sit on one of the counters.

Let them come. She thought grimly.

She felt invincible.