New chapter! Hope you guys enjoy. If you think I need to change the rating for blood and gore, please tell me. Anyway, review, ask questions, etc. :)

"Captain! There's an approaching ship!"

Kirkland cursed. "Location?"

"12 degrees of starboard and approaching at about 12 knots. It is flying the flag of Black-eyed Jack."

Kirkland smirked. "He picked the wrong ship today. Everyone to their battle stations."

I stopped, trying to determine what my battle station was when he approached me. "Miss Jones, please get below deck, there is about to be a battle."

I looked up at him, a smirk on my lips. "And miss all the fun? I just kicked your ass, and you expect me to hide like a weakling?"

"Your brother would not be pleased if you got hurt."

"I won't get hurt," I said, somewhat rudely. "Let me give these pirates a taste of my blade."

Kirkland sighed. "Do as you will." Then the battle began. "Sadik, hard to starboard!"

The ship leaned dangerously as Sadik held the tiller tightly to the right. "Ready the guns!"

There was a flurry of activity as men loaded the guns and I marveled at the speed and discipline with which they performed their duties. This ship was a polished war machine, contrary to first appearances. Kirkland waited until we were broadside of the other ship and then yelled, "Fire!" There was an explosion of sound as all 20 guns fired at once. The other ship flinched as the cannon fire thudded into the wood, leaving gaping holes in the sides and deck.

"They're comin' aboard, Captain!"

"Cheeky blighters! Prepare for battle!"

I drew my sword as the other ship fired grappling hooks onto our deck. I knew enough about naval tactics to know that the other captain was making a gamble. He knew he was outgunned, so he was hoping he could overwhelm us, take our ship by force, and come out on top. I smirked. He obviously had never met me. The first boarders arrived and the real battle began.

I drew my pistol and fired it at the boarding pirates, feeling satisfied as they fell into the water below. When I emptied the chamber, I cursed my luck as I had not time to reload. I quickly transitioned into hand to hand and sword combat, realizing how easy these men were to kill. They were worse, even than Francis, knowing nothing more than charging and screaming at their opponents, leaving their vital areas wide open.

I stabbed, slashed, spun, and danced through the hordes of men, laughing at their inability to retaliate. I beheaded more than one pirate and with my hair flying free in the sea breeze, I am sure I must have looked like a warrior goddess. Evidently, the attacking pirates seemed to agree and quickly fled, screaming something about a banshee, and demon warrior. They cut the ropes and fled, their ship limping away.

I tread carefully around the fallen bodies, doing my best not to slip, and found that none of the crew were injured very badly, and none of them were dead. I smiled. I wiped my sword on a dead man's shirt, and sheathed it, then began cleaning up. The other men were helping as well, and soon, the deck was cleared off. There was still some blood, but that was soon rinsed off. Then I looked down at myself and grimaced. I needed a washing.

I left the deck and went to my cabin, which I shared with Alfred. It was not my ideal choice of lodging, but it was better than sharing it with one of the other men. After all, there were a limited number of cabins on this ship.

I rinsed my hands, which had been coated in blood, and then changed into a clean pair of clothes. I scrubbed the blood out of my old ones and hoped it would not stain. I hung them out to dry.

I sat down on my bed and thought about the day. I lay back and raised my hands above me, looking at them critically. The door opened and I heard Alfred's familiar footsteps approach the bed.

"There is blood on my hands," I said, almost curiously.

Alfred looked at my hands and smiled. "No there's not, you've cleaned them already, Amy."

I looked away from my hands and turned to him. "There is blood on your hands too, Alfie. It is just so strange, I have killed before, but never so coldly, never so easily. I never even knew any of their names, I did not even memorize any faces." I turned back to my hands, feeling my eyes start to burn.

"Amy, you're fine. You're safe, and you did what you had to."

"Is that what pirating is about? Is that what life is about? If that is the case, I do not care to experience any more."

"Amy, don't do this."

I sat up and looked at him. "Father committed suicide. Was it because of our mother? Or was it because of the blood he shed in the war? Was he haunted by the color red?" I was staring at my hands which were coated in blood, sticky, and warm.

"Amy, stop this. Look at me, Amy." Alfred grabbed my hands. I looked at him, shocked. "Look at your hands. There is no blood. No blood. Yes, you will always remember, but it doesn't have to destroy you."

I looked away, tears threatening to fall. "Amy, look at me!" He took me by the shoulders and shook me. "Look at me. I'm here for you, and if you don't want to, you don't have to kill anymore. You can stay down here during battles, no one will blame you."

I shook my head, tears starting to spill down my cheeks. "I can't, can't let you guys risk your lives while I hide in safety."

"Other women do."

I snapped. "I am not 'other women' and you know that, Alfred."

He sighed and stroked my head. "I know, I know, Amy, but haven't you ever wanted to just be a girl, just once, without worrying about protecting yourself, about training yourself, beating the men in your life?"

I buried my head into my brother's chest, refusing to answer, because it was the truth. Sometimes I just wanted to be that doll that I pretended to be. I just wanted someone to hold me and view me as their greatest treasure. But, I would never admit that, and my character would not allow me to be a doll for very long.

The image of Kirkland rose unbidden to my mind. I remembered the way his lips felt on mine. My face heated up and I buried deeper into Alfred's chest. He stroked my hair and said, "Amy, it's alright. I'm always going to be here for you. If you need anything, I'm here. And so is everyone else on this ship. We're a family, and we will protect you, and will do our best to help you. Okay?"

I nodded and pulled away. "Thank you, Alfred."

He smiled. "Amelia, that's what family's for."

I smiled and hugged him, then said, "You can go now. I am sure Captain Kirkland requires your assistance on deck."

He nodded and left. I lay back on deck and thought about Kirkland, thinking it strange I thought of him when I thought about wanting someone to protect me.

A note about Amelia' occasional lapse in grammar. When she is frustrated or her emotions are running extremely high, her grammar degrades and her language gets worse. And she does it occasionally to tease people, especially Arthur. Don't worry, next chapter the romance starts developing.

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