Chapter 11: Of Evasions and Celebrations
Author's Note: I-I…. I apologize. I was going to abandon this story, but I reread Celia Reese's Pirates! And I had so many new ideas for it, I had to jump back on the Clexa train:D Not that I ever really got off…this chapter may feel a little slow. I have to set up for the bigger events and fluffy romantic Clexa moments that are to come:3
Lexa's POV
"C'mon gents, let's get the Trikru seaworthy once more!" Lexa stood next to the railing with Indra, hands on her hips, watching the reunited crewmen scurry back and forth to fix the beaten vessel. She turned back to her old friend. "You say Pike has been following you? For how long?"
"Weeks." Indra was obviously weary, but she stood proud and strong, always the fierce captain sworn to protect her crew. "He began trailing us when we left Santo Domingo. We circled around through Mona Pass and tried to lose him in the islands, but he has always been on the horizon. If you look, you will probably see him now." Indra pointed to the crow's nest. Lexa raised her eyebrows and hoisted herself into the rigging. She beckoned for Clarke to follow.
"Who is Pike?" Clarke asked as they picked their way higher up the twined ropes. Lexa had forgotten that Clarke was not a part of her life up until a few weeks ago.
"A dangerous man, a privateer. A hunter. The Navy hires him and his bloodthirsty crew to track down notorious pirates. He has been after us for decades, chasing us back and forth across the Caribbean." Lexa heaved herself into the cramped little nest at the top of the mast.
"And he's never caught you?" Clarke squished in beside her.
Lexa snorted. "He's never even come close. Until now." She raised her slightly charred spyglass to her eye, silently cursing Raven and her reprehensible little apprentices for the millionth time.
"I wonder what changed?" Clarke murmured, almost to herself. Lexa peered intently through the glass, pursing her lips.
"Damn. He is there. And no wonder Indra couldn't shake him-the crew is more than a hundred strong. But those don't look like Pike's men…"
"Could I take a look?" Clarke asked, fidgeting a little. Lexa obligingly handed over the telescope, and used the distraction as an advantage to admire the blonde. She watched the sun play through Clarke's golden locks, and resisted the urge to do the same with her fingers.
Lexa leapt back as the spyglass suddenly slipped from Clarke's fingers. "Hey, watch it! That was almost my foot…. Clarke?" Lexa narrowed her eyebrows in confusion. The girl's mouth was gaped open, her eyes huge.
"It can't be…" Clarke whispered, her face carved into a look of horror.
"What? What did you see Clarke?" Lexa grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her out of her reverie. She was really worried now. She had never seen her like this…had never seen her afraid.
Ocean eyes locked with forest ones. "It's Cage. He's on that ship, those are his men! I knew he would be chasing me, searching for me, but I didn't expect…I mean, to find me so soon…"
Lexa drew the trembling girl into a comforting hug, wanting nothing more than to ease her distress. "Who is Cage?" It was Lexa's turn to ask the questions. But as soon as the words slipped from her mouth, she knew. She already knew.
Clarke choked on her own words, holding tight to Lexa's solid frame. "M-my fiancée."
Clarke's POV
No. No no no no no…. that man was here again. His sinister smiles, his cackles, his screams of rage, they all flooded back to her in a horror-filled deluge. She clutched at Lexa like a lifeline, a solid foundation to hold onto as the man who murdered her friend, her sister, returned to fulfill his promise to kill her in turn. She knew what Cage was capable of. He would hurt her; he would hurt the ones she cared about. He would hurt Lexa.
"No…" Clarke growled aloud. She shook off her fear like a dog shakes water from its fur. There was no reason to be afraid. She had a real family now; it wasn't just her and Costia. And they were pirates, to boot.
"Clarke?" Lexa squeezed her a little tighter.
"It's okay Lexa, I'm alright." She extricated herself from the brunettes' arms, and the captain immediately backed off, blushing lightly.
"I'm so-"
"Don't apologize Lexa. You gave me the push I needed. I am not afraid of Cage. I am enraged by him. He will not hurt the ones I love." Clarke's eyebrows were narrowed, her lips almost curving into a snarl. She was ready to take him on, be it now or later. A slow, sultry smile spread across the pirate captain's face, and she grasped Clarke's shoulder, looking her in the eyes.
"We'll finish him together." She promised. Clarke smiled gratefully, determination sparkling in her eyes. Lexa. She really, really liked this pirate.
"We should get back to the deck Captain, before the sailors wonder what we're doing up here in this cozy space." Clarke winked and slid a little closer to the brunette. She grinned in delight as Lexa scrambled down the rigging as quick as she could. As long as that woman was around, she could never not be her sassy, fearless self.
Clarke followed her down to the deck. Her boots thumped hard against the sturdy wood.
"Well?" Indra paced up to them. "What did you see? Was he there?"
"Yes, along with some unexpected enemies of Clarke's. His men have doubled Pike's crew; that is why they were able to keep pace with the Trikru." Lexa pursed her lips.
Clarke stepped forward. "Even with the help of the Seikru, you wouldn't be able to outrun them. And your ship still needs major repairs before it will be battle-worthy."
Lexa rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Pike won't put into a pirate port, or risk attacking one, even with his new friends. We have a head start on them. If we can make it to Nassau before they overtake us…"
"…we may be able to escape their clutches, for now at least." Clarke finished her thought.
Indra scowled. "So we hide like rats in a hole. How imaginative." She spun one of her pistols in her fingers. "I don't like it one bit. They will blockade Nassau so that we will never have a chance to leave without being caught."
"We will just have to risk that, Indra. There is no other choice."
"There is always another choice, Lexa. I thought Anya taught you better than that! We can fight-"
"And lose most of our family? No. I won't risk my crew's life." Lexa put her hands on her hips and straightened her back, cutting an imposing figure. Clarke immediately blanched at the obvious dominant stance, but Indra only sighed.
"I do not like it. But…. I will trust your decisions, Captain."
"Thank you Indra." Lexa's eyes softened. "Have your men ready to sail by sunset. We will make our dash for Nassau under the cover of night."
"I have my sailors working overtime to patch the ship. We will be ready." Indra turned to Clarke, looking her up and down. Her eyes were passive, but Clarke could tell than she was not liked by the Trikru's captain. "It seems you have had some escapades of your own while we were parted, Captain Lexa. Who is this girl that has been trailing you like a lost puppy?" Clarke scrunched her nose at Indra's condescending tone, wondering if there was an insult hidden in there somewhere.
"This is Clarke." Lexa caught Clarke's eyes and held them. "She stowed away, but showed resourcefulness, so I allowed her to stay on as a sailor. She has proven herself to be quite the hard worker, and we have accepted her as one of our own." A hint of pink colored Clarke's cheeks, and she tore her gaze away from the captain.
"A stowaway? A spy is more likely. How can we be sure she is not just helping her 'enemies' on board Pike's ship? She may be the cause-"
"She has proven her trustworthiness, Indra." Anya stalked towards them, eyes cold. "And I have accepted her. Do not pester them unnecessarily." Clarke beamed at Lexa's mentor. Despite her terrifying demeanor, she was really growing fond of Anya.
"Lexa, Titus calls for you. Perhaps you should go introduce Clarke to the rest of the Trikru people. We will head for Nassau soon, but now is a time for celebration. Go catch up with your family." Lexa smiled gratefully at her mentor and beckoned Clarke to follow. Indra huffed and crossed her arms, but did not protest further. Anya turned to her, and they began talking quietly as the girls headed for the trapdoor.
Lexa and Clarke climbed down into the murky hold. Sunlight filtered through cracks between slats of wood that needed to be tarred. Despite that, there was little to illuminate the hold. "Jeez, I can't see a thing down here…" Clarke strained her eyes to focus in the dim light. "Eeep!" She squeaked as warm fingers wove themselves into her own. Lexa chuckled, and Clarke saw her green eyes glint a little in the darkness.
"Don't worry, I won't let you get lost." It seemed like a fire had started where their hands connected, and it slowly burnt its way up Clarke's arm and spread through her body. She shivered a little at the wonderful feeling of the captain's skin on her own. The slapped herself internally. Now is not the time, Clarke!
They wove their way through the hold, hearing rather than seeing sailors scurrying this way and that, with buckets of tar and carpentry tools swinging and clinking in their hands. Lexa led Clarke through a doorway and into a large secluded area, with a few scattered lanterns sitting on barrels. Many people sat around the lanterns, cupping mugs of rum and talking quietly amongst themselves. A tall, bald man with flowing robes and tribal-like tattoos noticed them.
"Captain Lexa!" He boomed. All of the people looked up curiously, conversations hushed. The silence was deafening. Clarke was glad the darkness hid her blush as all of the eyes centered on her and Lexa.
"Titus. It is good to see you again." Lexa looked around, meeting the gaze of every person. She smiled happily. "And it is good to be home." They all stood and cheered, smiling and laughing and welcoming the brunette.
"Captain!"
"Welcome home, cap'n."
"A drink tah ye, Captain Lexa!" They raised their mugs, clanking them together, celebrating with boisterous laughter and cheer. Lexa went among them, smiling, talking loudly, and introducing Clarke. Clarke shyly said hello to all of the welcoming faces. She was amazed at how familiar and confident Lexa was. She was also quite embarrassed; the pirate had not dropped her hand. When Clarke tried to pull away, she only gripped tighter.
Lexa led them over to the bald man from before. "Titus, this is Clarke. Clarke, Titus. He is, well, our priest I suppose." Lexa pondered her own description of the man.
"Clarke. It is good to meet you." The hulking man shook Clarke's hand firmly. He carried a moldy book under his arm, and his clothes reeked of saltwater. A few piercings protruded from his ears and nose, and the tattoos around his head gave him a slightly frightening appearance. The blonde blanched a little at the ice in his eyes.
"Don't worry." Lexa chuckled. "He may look terrifying, but he is just here to save our souls. Isn't that right?"
"You should not joke about it, captain." He huffed. "Leading the life of a heathen pirate will send your souls to the devil! Each hoard you steal, every life you take, is another eternity of suffering!" His hands swished in the air and his voice boomed above the chatter of the others. Lexa laughed and patted his arm. "We know, Titus. We know." Lexa continued speaking with various crewmen. Clarke looked around. She recognized a lot of people. Finn was chatting it up with fellow swabbies, by the looks of it. Octavia and Lincoln were over in a corner with Indra, who had joined them not too long ago. Jasper and Monty were showcasing some of their inventions to a blonde girl Clarke did not recognize, and Murphy was arm wrestling Gustus (and losing horribly) while a large group of sailors pounded their rum on the barrels and bet gold coins on the winner. Clarke noticed Raven hidden a little from everyone else. A sandy-haired woman was bent over her, tinkering with the brace on her leg as Raven prattled away. A faint blush came over the master gunner's cheeks every time the woman looked up at her.
Clarke thought she recognized the woman from somewhere. She couldn't see her face, but maybe…no. No, it-it wasn't possible! Was it?
"Mother…" she whispered. The woman glanced up and looked around, as if she had heard Clarke over the talking of the sailors. Tears sprang to Clarke's eyes as she recognized the face that had kissed her a final goodbye so long ago. "Mother!" she cried out, tearing her hand from Lexa's and racing toward the woman.
"Clarke?" Abby's eyes widened hugely as the blonde slid to a stop next to her and hugged her fiercely.
"Mom!" Clarke choked, fighting back her tears. She couldn't cry in front of these sailors, even if it was her mother. "I-I missed you a l-lot…" Abby hesitantly wrapped her arms around her daughter.
Lexa stepped towards them. "Abby?" A questioning look lingered in her eyes. "Clarke is your daughter?" Lexa bit her lip as Clarke released her mother to look up at the captain. She wondered at the almost guilty look on Lexa's face.
"Y-yes. She is my daughter. Clarke!" Abby brushed some golden strands out of the blonde's face. "How are you here? How have you come back to me?" she squeezed her in a warm hug again.
"I don't even know, mom. It was everything, it was that whole plantation, Jake, just everything…it, well, it's really complicated." She looked into her mom's warm brown eyes. "I just knew I had to find something better." Abby smiled at her daughter, smoothing her hand down the blonde waves, looking every bit a proud mother. The sailors cheered once more, excited for yet another reason to celebrate. Mugs clinked again, and the rum ran freely.
Clarke and Abby laughed together as they watched a drunken sailor collapse against a stack of barrels, then immediately reach for another mug of the potent drink. Clarke was ecstatic. It was as if Abby had never left; their relationship picked up right where they had left off, mother and daughter once more.
Raven cleared her throat in the background.
"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry Raven…" Abby flushed, returning to her work on the girl's leg.
"It's alright Doc." The dark-haired girl winked at the flustered woman. "I didn't mind the view."
Clarke looked back and forth between them, eyebrows disappearing into her hairline. A knowing smirk flitted across her features, but she knew it'd be best to let them be. She proceeded to change the subject.
"Mom, you're a doctor?" Abby laughed.
"Wouldn't you believe it? After I left your father, I realized that I really wanted to help people. And I'm damn good at it."
"I'll say." Raven piped up. "Worth her weight in diamonds, this woman is. You need to come aboard the Seikru for a season, Abby. We could use a little more of your charm…" she grinned.
"And a little less of yours!" Abby lightly slapped her shoulder. She turned back to Clarke. "Speaking of Jake, you mentioned him. Tell me why you left Jamaica. What did he do?"
Clarke sighed. "It's a long story, but basically, he married me off to Cage Wallace and I ran." Abby's face twisted into disgust.
"Your father was a good man once, but he has been lost to greed. And I knew those Wallace men were evil as soon as I laid eyes on them. How did you escape? And how did you get on Captain Lexa's ship? That's a daring feat in and of itself!" She chuckled.
"I escaped with the help of a friend." Clarke's heart gave a sharp pang of despair for Costia. "But they killed her." Abby wrapped her daughter in a warm embrace. Clarke missed her mother dearly; she missed her comfort, the smell and feel of her. Even a hug healed her heart a little and made her feel better.
"And I stowed away on Lexa's ship while running from Cage. I held onto the side of the ship for hours, so she let me stay, obviously." Clarke gave a pained grin as she remembered the grueling hours spent on the side of the Seikru.
"Ah, ever the resourceful young lioness!" Abby beamed proudly. "I love you, sweetheart."
"I love you too, mom."
"Clarke." The blonde released her mother as Lexa walked up to them. "It is time to return to the Seikru. We should rest while we can and prepare to sail for Nassau." The captain nodded to the doctor in acknowledgement.
"I'll see you soon honey." Abby planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead. For a minute Clarke was desperate to not leave her mother, fearing that she would lose her once again. But Lexa's soft presence and her mother's reassurance washed away her fear.
000oo000ooo000ooo000ooo
Clarke shifted in her hammock once again. The evening sun was just beginning to sink toward the horizon, and scudding pink and orange clouds drifted peacefully across the sky. They had only a couple hours left before they set sail, and she hadn't gotten a wink of sleep. The canvas was just too rough, too scratchy. Her mind whirled with thoughts of Cage, of her mother, of Nassau. Mostly she thought of Lexa. She sighed deeply and climbed out of the hammock. She must be insane.
Ever so quietly, Clarke slipped on her boots and ninja-walked through the slumbering pirates and up to the deck. She slipped easily past Murphy, who was on watch tonight, and made her way to the Captain's quarters.
Lexa's POV
She buried her face into her soft pillow and groaned. Clarke, Clarke, Clarke, that cursed blonde was all she ever thought about. A true siren, leaving her sleepless, restless, plaguing her mind. She could picture her right now, sleeping peacefully, her golden hair splayed over the white canvas. Maybe she would shift in her sleep. Maybe she would speak her dreams aloud. Maybe Lexa could go and lie next to her, curled up into her warm body, twining her arms around her waist, pressing her lips against-
A soft knocking jerked her from her thoughts. She slid out of bed, clad only in her pants and white shirt, and padded over to the door.
A huge blush flooded over her cheeks as she opened it to reveal the very woman who had just occupied her thoughts. "C-Clarke. Ahem. Did you need something?" Lexa stuttered.
Clarke stepped forward. "Yeah. You. Er, your…. bed." She bit her lip. Lexa gaped at her, speechless. "I need your bed, I mean!" Clarke stumbled over her words, blushing furiously. "To sleep. Because I can't, in my hammock, you know? Finer things?"
"Oh!" Lexa hastily opened the door wider, beckoning her in. "Of course! Yeah, sure, totally…" Both girls chuckled nervously. Clarke went over on sat on Lexa's bed, kicking her boots off and sliding under the furs. She breathed in deeply, letting the captain's scent envelop her. Lexa stood awkwardly to the side.
"You can come lay next to me, ya know. You don't have to just stand there." Clarke peered at her from under the covers. Lexa blushed once more. She inwardly cursed herself for being so weak in front of this woman.
"O-Okay." She went over to the other side of the bed and scooted under the covers, sitting rigidly upright, as close to the edge as possible. Clarke sat up as well, pulling out her sketchbook and a pencil. She began drawing the many candles flickering around Lexa's rooms. The pirate captain watched her with interest, a comfortable silence settling between them. She remembered the drawing Clarke had done of her that one day, how it had fluttered down to her from the yardarms, the blonde desperately chasing after it. She put her hand over the spot where it was still tucked into her shirt.
Clarke broke the silence. "Do you do anything artistic, Lexa?" she looked up at the brunette, eyes twinkling.
"The only artistic thing I think about doing is you."
…..
Lexa physically put her face in her hands and groaned out loud as Clarke howled with laughter, almost tumbling off the bed. Why couldn't she just keep her clumsy pirate mouth shut?
"Oh my god! Oh my god!" Clarke was crying at this point, desperately trying to breathe through the fits of giggles that wracked her frame. She wiped her tears away and grinned hugely at the captain. Lexa peeked up at her through her fingers, her face flushed with embarrassment.
"You know Lexa, you are secretly adorable under your tough pirate exterior." Clarke winked at her and patted herself down, looking for something.
Adorable. She had called her adorable. Lexa felt as if she were floating on fluffy white cotton ball clouds.
"Ah, here it is." Clarke produced a flask and took a swig, then offered it to Lexa. "Drink? I think you might need to relax a little." Clarke eyeballed her stiff posture.
Lexa's eyes widened at the sight of the flask. She swiped it from the blonde's hands, examining the tribal swirls on the front and the initials, L.W., on the bottom. "Where did you get this?" she whispered.
Clarke furrowed her brow. "I found it on the beach at my father's plantation, in Jamaica. Why?"
"This is mine." Lexa looked over at her, sea-green eyes huge. "I lost this to the sea years ago. To think that you were the one to find it…" she trailed off, rubbing her thumb across the markings.
"How do you know? I can keep it, right?" Clarke gave the brunette her best puppy eyes. Lexa smiled.
"Of course you can keep it, hehe. I know because of the initials on the bottom. Lexa Waters. And this…." She set the flask down and pushed her right sleeve up past her shoulder. Clarke leaned forward and gasped at the tattoo, identical to the swirls carved into the silver. "Anya did it for me. The tattoo and the engraving." Lexa murmured. She sucked in a breath as Clarke reached out and traced the ink on her bicep, her fingers leaving fiery trails along her skin. She closed her eyes and relished the feeling. Clarke continued tracing the tattoo as she spoke.
"You know Lexa, you make being an artist hard."
The brunette opened her eyes and looked at the blonde, bewildered. "What? Why?"
"Because I could never create something as beautiful as you." Clarke gazed at her, her eyes unfathomable. Lexa bit her lip, eyes sparkling. She finally relaxed her stiffness, shifting herself closer to the artist and snuggling down into the furs. Clarke did the same. They twined their fingers together between them, cerulean orbs locking with sea green ones. "Goodnight Captain."
Lexa squeezed Clarke's hand. "Goodnight ai niron, ai gona."
Author's Note: I love my lovelies. Review:3 I won't abandon this story, I promise. Not this time. Will update sooner rather than later. Stay tuned. I'm so excited to be writing again!
P.S Meanings of those^ last words in the next chapter. Don't look them up and spoil it for yourself
