Lily woke up the next day with a smile. Yesterday she had gotten new clothes and off the ship for a while.

Lily then fingered the Medallion she wore on her neck. Most of all, she was happy that she finally understood the importance of the Medallion.

She got out of bed and headed to a trunk that James had lent her to put her clothing in. She got out the cream and burgundy striped dress, a cream apron, and the cream cap. She washed off a little and tied her hair back in a low ponytail and pinned down up in her cap.

After she finished dressing, Lily walked out onto the deck. She smelled the ocean air and smiled. She was in a good mood today. She had new clothes, she felt refreshed, and James and she were on good terms –wait, why would that make her happy?

She remembered how they had almost kissed and her heart sped up. Did she want to kiss James? How could she? While they were being nice to each other, he was still a pirate.

But isn't that what she had always wanted? A handsome pirate to take her away? Well James was certainly handsome. She remembered Madame Truscott's words. Were they really destined lovers? How absurd! Potter hated her at points! Then, she thought back to what Sirius had said. Did James fancy her? Well, she certainly didn't fancy him. Not one bit. No matter how kind he could be or extremely handsome and caring of his crew and the way his eyes had flecks of gold and green…

Oh bugger.

"Lily," she heard the object of her musings call.

Lily turned around to answer him, "Yes, James?"

"I was wondering if you would like to start our dueling lessons?"

"Oh!" Lily said, delighted, "Of course!"

"Well, if you will follow me, I'm sure that we can get you a sword and then we shall start."

James led her to the middle of the deck where the crew wasn't working and handed her a wooden stick. Lily looked at it oddly.

"Um, James, I'm not sure if you've noticed this, but this isn't a sword. And you call yourself a pirate," she teased.

James just chuckled. "We don't want you getting hurt, so we need to wait until you are comfortable with this wooden sword, and then you can… upgrade." Lily nodded at the explanation.

"Now, the first thing you need to learn is how to block, or parry, the blow. To do so, you will hold your sword like so," James said, positioning himself and showing her how to hold the sword. Lily looked at him and copied his motions. "Good, now, when I thrust at you, you will block my thrust using that movement. Do you understand?" he said, picking up a wooden sword while saying this.

"Yes, I think I do," she replied.

"Alright, are you ready to start?" he asked, positioning himself in front of her. Lily simply gulped and nodded.

He lunged and Lily blocked it. Her arm shook from the power of the blow. After three more lunges and blocks, Lily started to feel confident when –

"And you just got yourself killed," James said, holding his "sword" to her chest.



"But, I thought -," she stuttered.

"Rule number one, Miss Evans, never get too confident or you will find yourself with a wound." Lily nodded.

"Now, let's try again."

The pair had been practicing for over an hour and Lily was sore and tired. She hadn't gotten past five blocks until she was hit and she was slowly getting frustrated.

She started missing more and more hits and that only angered her more. After she was thrown to the ground once more, she laid there for a while and groaned. She was hot and swore, and her dress was in the way.

She tried to get up, but was tripped by her skirt and fell on her bum once more. James burst out into laughter as he looked at her sprawled out with her skirts to her knees.

Lily got up again, blushing furiously as she straightened up her skirts. "James Potter! Weren't you ever taught to never laugh at a lady in distress?!"

"Yes Miss Evans, I was. However, like I've said before, you are no lady," he said, smirking.

"I'll have you know that I am the epitome of lady-likeness," she said, straightening her back and giving him a curtsy.

"Oh yes, then you must pardon me, Miss Evans," James said, playing along as he bowed and kissed her hand. Tingles ran up through Lily's arm at his kiss. She blushed slightly and dropped her hand. James looked mildly embarrassed and an awkward silenced passed.



"Lily," James said, breaking the silence. "You need to try not to become frustrated. Once you put negative emotions into your fighting, it will decline your skill. Anger and frustration can make fools of the best swordsmen."

Lily sighed and nodded, "I guess you're going to want to start again?"

"No, I think you have earned yourself a break. However, tomorrow, you can't wear those skirts. You only get tangled up in them and you will need free legs in a fight."

"What do you propose I wear then? I can't very well go without clothes!"

Not that I wouldn't mind, James thought. Bad James! "Miss Evans, I'm sure that one of the men or boys will lend you a pair of breeched. Here, I'll just make an announcement and –."

"James, no, you really don't have to. I don't want to take away their clothes. In addition, I don't really think your crew would like me using their breeches. They aren't too pleased about me being on board," she said, looking at her feet.

"Alright, I'll just let you borrow a pair of mine then. They may be a little big, but I'm sure you can tailor them to fit. Wait right here and I'll go fetch them for you," James said. He dripped the wooden sword and went down below to his quarters.

When he returned, he had a pair of brown breeches that were well worn and bleached from the sun.

James saw her eyeing them and grinned sheepishly. "I found my smallest pair. They also happened to be my oldest, so they aren't in the best condition. I'm sure you will manage."

"Thank you James. I guess I will see you tomorrow at the same time, of that is alright with you of course," she said, blushing.

James couldn't help but admire the way the blush spread delicately upon her cheeks.

"Yes, until then, Lily," he said, smiling and walking away.

Lily watched him go and walked back to her cabin. She examined the breeched and sighed. She had a lot of work to do.

The next morning she got out of bed and pulled on a clean shift and some stockings. She grabbed the newly tailored breeched and slipped them aver her waist. She stuffed the rest of her shift into the breeched and slipped on some shoes.

Lily walked over to the mirror at herself. The pants showed off the slimness of her legs and looked slightly scandalous to her. Never mind not being allowed to show her ankles, her mother would have a fit at the thought of her showing an entire leg! Even better of a reason to do it, she thought, grinning.

She braided her hair into one long plait and tied it off with a bit of string. Looking at herself in the mirror, she nodded in satisfaction as she walked out of her cabin.

As she walked to the place where she was to have her lesson, she saw the crew look at her in amazement. They must have been surprised that a lady would boldly prance around in breeches.

She held back a smirk as she walked up to James. He had his back turned and was talking to Sirius. As Sirius caught sight of Lily, his eyes visibly widened and mouth dropped. James wondered what had done this to Sirius.

"Sirius, what in the -," James turned and his mouth dropped in surprise.



Lily looked absolutely alluring. Her eyes were sparkling in the sunlight and her hair was in a messy braid, thrown over her shoulder. She was wearing her shift and he could see the outline of her body. The breeches clung to her legs and James could see her perfectly tapered legs and ankles.

Lily cleared her throat and James shook himself out of his reveries.

Clearing his throat, James spoke, "Good to see that you are ready to start."

"Yes, let's hope I'm not tripping all over the deck now," she said, grinning.

"Yes, shall we start?" he asked.

"Of course. En guard, Captain." Her sleeve slid down her shoulder slightly, revealing her milky white shoulder.

This was going to be hard, James thought.