A/N: Sorry for the lapse… I don't have an excuse…

Ars Amatoria Romance Theme Challenge

Time Frame: after "Pirate in Pink"

Helm

Mack

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There she stood, Rosie the Bold, standing at the helm, wet hair, black against her olive skin, flapping in the salty breeze. She barked out orders to the crewmen as the storm raged around them. She spotted him. "Best ye get down below. A ship in a storm is the worst place for a lubber to be."

He shook his head defiantly. The radiant beauty at the wheel shrugged her shoulders at his response. "Suit yerself. Get them sails tied back! Quickly man! Do ye have sand in yer ears, ye swab?" She gestured to a nearby crew mate. "Take the helm Orin, while I see what's the matter with Jonesy."

"Jonesy!" She screamed as she approached the pirate, who wasn't movie. "Are ye trying to get us killed, man?"

Jonesy turned around and looked into the eyes of Rosie the Bold, his own eyes filled with hate and loathing. "Aye, it seems as if ye've discovered me plot. I was intedin' ta kill ye in a different manner, but this storm gave me an idea. I've made sure this boat will sink, ye can be sure of that."

"What have I done to make ye so hateful of me?" Rosie asked, stepping closer to the man.

"Oh it's not ye; ye've been quite nice to me since ye rescued me from the sea. Nay, I was sent by someone else."

"Spit it out, man! If I'm goin' to Davy Jones Locker, I'll go knowing him who arranged it."

"'Twas Blackbeard who discovered ye were the child of his sworn enemy, Brownbeard."

"For revenge on me father ye'd murder a whole crew? What were ye thinking, man? Ye'll be drowned too!"

Jonesy smiled serenely. "Aye and its right glad I am of it."

Rosie the Bold raised an eyebrow. "At any rate, spare me crew and passenger." She sent a swift look at Mack, who was listening intently.

Jonesy shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

R-I-I-I-P-P! The sail tore off, leaving a bare mast and rigging. A huge wave rose.

"Me father will avenge me!" Rosie shouted as the massive wave overtook the ship.

The next thing Mack knew he was in the freezing water. He grabbed onto a passing piece of plank and held on for his life. Looking around frantically, he searched for her. When he didn't see her anywhere, an overwhelming grief came over him. "Rosie!" He shouted in vain, his salty tears mixing with the already salt-laden water.

"Rosie!"

-----MACROSE-----

Mack woke up with a start. His dream had been so vivid. He looked around cautiously to find the eyes of the entire team on him. Will, amused, Dax confused, Ronny interestedly and Rose – was she blushing? He sat up quickly. "What'd I miss?" He joked.

"You were reading your 'Adventures of Brownbeard' again and drifted off to sleep. Then all of a sudden you started screaming Rose's name. Well, 'Rosie', close enough," Dax explained with a shrug.

"Oh yeah, I was having a dream about Rosie the Bold." Mack explained vaguely.

"Team, I think I have a possible lead to the next jewel!" Mr. Hartford interrupted as he rushed in.

-----MACROSE-----

"An art gallery?" Dax said, scratching his head as they entered the store.

"Mr. Hartford believes a jewel is depicted in one of these paintings." Rose explained. "Let's split up and if we see a jewel try and find out more about it from the artist.

Mack wandered over to a corner and began examining the paintings. He stopped and stared went he saw one of them. He couldn't take his eyes off of it.

"You like that one?" a man asked him with a sneer. "It's not even pretty. There are mistakes everywhere!"

"I think it's beautiful." Mack said as he picked up the painting. Mack paid for the picture and arranged to have it sent to his home. He would be mortified if the other Rangers saw what he was buying.

"You bought one?" Ronny asked curiously as they left the store. "I didn't know you were interested in art."

Mack nodded slowly, slightly embarrassed at his friend's questions. If he told them which one, they'd figure it out. He didn't want them to do that, especially Rose.

"Well I'm glad our trip wasn't a complete waste. I didn't see any jewel." Rose said as she climbed into the jeep. "Did you?"

"No." He answered honestly and awkwardly. Once he'd seen the picture all thoughts of jewels and crowns had left his mind. Some Red Ranger he was.

Rose was driving, and Mack closed his eyes – his mind's eye seeing the picture he'd bought.

A lone pirate, set against a blazing sunset, her long black hair blowing in the gentle breeze. The face of Rosie the Bold shone with pride as she rested her hand lovingly on the helm.

-----MACROSE-----

A/N: Um… so none of you have guessed what was different about Chapter 9 yet. I'm disappointed!