AN: Merry Christmas! I hope that you are all having a wonderful holiday! This is my little gift to you, the conclusion of the story! I am considering writing an epilogue however, so maybe around the new year…. In the meantime, please enjoy the finale and have a wonderful Christmas!
/
Charlotte stood at the helm of the Devil's Mermaid, her face turned up towards the bright sunshine of the Caribbean, the wind blowing her hair back away from her face. Taking a deep breath of the salty sea air, she smiled to herself letting the joy of being back on the ocean wash through her. Two weeks ago, she had been gathering her crew and purchasing the ship she was currently guiding through the crystal blue water. Now, she was half way back to Nassau and Charles.
The crew that she had gathered had been a little difficult at first, but after the one fight in the tavern and then one more on deck before they set sail, the rest of them had fallen in line underneath their female captain. The first mate, Seth, was an older man who oddly enough had been an acquaintance of her father. This made him a valuable ally and Charlotte suspected the main reason the crew was behaving so well. Although, she knew that it also had a little to do with how well she was paying them.
To ensure loyalty, Charlotte had paid the crew an advance including the promise that the first ship they took would be split entirely amongst the crew. Between this and the fights she had won, Charlotte's crew worked diligently and with little incident. As she gathered her crew, Charlotte had taken what time she had left to study up on how to captain a ship. Her father had been instrumental in this training and had answered any questions that she had.
Charlotte had been a little sad at saying goodbye to the Admiral, but she knew that her heart belonged to Charles and that she would never be truly happy without him. So, she had studied, recruited, and planned until she was ready to set sail for her true home.
They had not seen any potential prizes on the voyage so far and Charlotte hoped that they would come across one soon. Although taking a ship would slow them down, the crew needed to know that she would hold true to her word. At sunset that day, a Spanish merchant sailed in to their path and Charlotte gave the order to take the ship. She felt a thrill at being the one to order such an action and easily fell into the role of pirate captain. The merchant was roughly the same size as the Devil's Mermaid and put up a bit of a fight, but Charlotte's crew, though new to her, were seasoned sailors who followed her every order as if they had been doing it for years and soon captured their prize.
Once the enemy was secured either by death, a place on the ship as one of her crew, or tied up, Charlotte began instructing her men on what to salvage before they put the ship to the torch. The merchant had been heavily laden and it took a few hours to haul everything from it over to the Mermaid. It was dark by the time the cargo was secure in her hold, but the crew was pleased with the prize.
Over the rest of the voyage, Charlotte took two more merchants of equal size filling the hold to bursting. She couldn't believe her good luck on her first trip as captain and her excitement grew as the drew nearer to Nassau. She alternated between joy and terror at the thought of seeing Charles again. Joy because she knew that she loved him without a doubt and terror because she feared he might have moved on. It had been almost a year since she had forced him to leave her behind to save himself and she knew she wouldn't blame him if he had found someone else, although the thought was almost soul crushing in its pain.
After three weeks, Nassau came in to view as the sun began rising on Charlotte. Her heart sped to an almost painful pace and Charlotte could not get the treacherous organ to behave. Her eyes searched each ship at harbor, desperately seeking the familiar outline of the Ranger, but to her disappointment it was not there. She let out a shuddering breath trying to calm her nerves. She would just have to go ashore and find someone she knew to ask for information about Charles. Surely, he was here and just currently out capturing ships.
She gave the order to weigh anchor and to begin hauling their cargo ashore. Charlotte would go first to make contact with the harbor master to see where they could take the goods once they were unloaded while Seth stayed on deck to supervise. Charlotte wrung her hands nervously as two of her sailors rowed her to shore. She could not stop the anxious thoughts running through her head and hoped to see someone familiar on the beach.
Her luck held as the first face she spotted was Billy. As she stepped out of the boat onto the beach she called out to him, speeding up her pace, "Billy!" He turned at the sound of his name then stared at her in stunned silence until she flung her arms around him, laughing. She felt him return her embrace then push her back to look at her, "I can't believe you are here! Jack said you weren't ever coming back."
Charlotte smiled, "It didn't look like I would, but I could never give all this up!" Billy grinned back down at her, "I'm glad. Silver and Flint will be glad you're back as well." Charlotte nodded, "I'll speak to them as soon as I get my ship unloaded, but Billy, can you tell me where Charles is? I don't see the Ranger in the harbor." Billy shook his head, "He's never here long. Since he came back from South Carolina without you, his crew keeps a deadly pace." Billy's eyes darkened, "They were always ruthless, but they've taken it to another level. No one is given quarter and nothing is ever left after he takes a prize. His crew only stays ashore long enough to spend the gold they earn on whores or drink and then they are gone again. Vane never steps foot off his ship."
Billy said the last part as he looked in to Charlotte's eyes, conveying to her he knew how much her absence had affected Vane. Charlotte swallowed hard, her heart aching for Charles, "Can you have someone let me know the minute the Ranger is spotted?" Billy nodded, "Of course, where are you staying?" Charlotte shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know where anything is so I'll need to find lodgings and a place to sell my cargo." Billy's eyes widened at the mention of cargo, proving he hadn't heard her the first time, "You have cargo?"
Charlotte beamed up at him, "I'm Captain Kings of the Devil's Mermaid, and yes, I have a hold full of cargo from three merchants that needs to be sold." Billy chuckled, "I never doubted you'd be a successful pirate. Come on, follow me and I will show you where to send your cargo and where you can sleep." Charlotte followed Billy down the beach to a building not far from the harbor. There she informed the man of the goods she needed to sell and arranged for payment upon receipt. Once done, she instructed the sailors who had come with her to row back to the ship and inform Seth. When they were gone, she followed Billy to the tavern which had rooms available for rent.
The bar below was busy with pirates, as were the streets outside. Nassau was not only surviving, but thriving under the new leadership of Silver, Madi, and Flint. Charlotte was pleased to see such success after so terrible a battle. Nothing remained of the damage that had been inflicted on the town. New buildings had sprung up everywhere and the town was flourishing. Before securing a room, Charlotte and Billy sat down in the tavern to share a drink and to catch up on all that had happened in the past year. Charlotte explained everything that had happened to her in South Carolina and Billy talked of the difficulties the pirates had encountered while rebuilding their home.
Shipping had been a major concern as they no longer had the Guthrie's name for safety, but Silver and Madi had worked out a system that had thus far been working flawlessly. "They are a wonder together," Billy marveled, "The things that they work out and problems they solve… I'm just glad they are running the island now." Charlotte nodded as she took a deep drink of her rum, the alcohol flooding her system, allowing her to relax more than she had in a year. "Silver always struck me as intelligent as well as Madi. I can see them both being successful leaders," she said relaxing back in to the chair.
Billy nodded, "They have been good for the island." They spoke for a few more hours before Charlotte got to her feet, "I should check on my men and see how the unloading is going. Once they are done, they will want their payments and orders." Billy stood with her, "I'd go with you, but I have my own duties to see to. If you want, I'll meet you back here in a few hours and we can have dinner." Charlotte smiled, "I'd like that, Billy. I'll see you tonight." Charlotte walked out on to the busy street, making her way back to the building where her cargo was being unloaded.
When she arrived, the last of the cargo was being brought in and she made her way to the clerk in charge of tallying up her total. "You've quite a large haul, Captain Kings. You can collect your payment in the office." Thanking the clerk, she motioned for Seth, who had come ashore with the last of the cargo, to follow her to the office. The payment was larger than she had imagined and as the coins were counted out, Charlotte had to keep her mouth from dropping. Accepting the heavy bags with a nod, Charlotte strode out of the building richer than she had ever thought possible. Even with paying the crew, the profits were sizeable.
She handed most of the coins over to Seth, "Take this to the crew and tell them they have two weeks here on shore. After that I will update them on our plans." Seth nodded as he accepted the money, "What are we staying on shore for so long, if I might ask Cap'n?" Charlotte considered the man before saying, "We are awaiting the Ranger and her Captain. I intend to ask him if we might join forces."
Seth shook his head, "But we've done well enough on our own. Not to mention the Captain of the Ranger has been said to be quite mad, not to mention vicious. Why would you…" But Charlotte cut the man off, "You will cease repeating those rumors immediately Mr. O'Malley. While Captain Vane is vicious, ruthless, and merciless, he is not nor has he ever been, mad. I'll be staying at the tavern should you or the crew need anything. Otherwise, I will see you in two weeks."
When the first mate nodded to her, Charlotte left him to return to the tavern. It was only mid-afternoon so she purchased her room for two weeks then went to the room to sleep. Her anticipation at seeing Charles today was wearing thin, and the sleep deprived night she had was beginning to catch up to her. Knowing she had a few hours before she would meet Billy, she lay down on the bed to take a nap.
/
Later that evening, refreshed from her sleep, Charlotte made her way down to the tavern that was somehow busier than before. The sun had set a few hours ago, and luckily Billy had already grabbed a table in the far corner of the room. Charlotte pushed her way through the loud sailors, slapping roaming hands away as she went. When she finally made it through the press of bodies she sighed with relief as she landed in her chair.
Billy laughed good naturedly at her and Charlotte smiled back, "It's a bit mad in here tonight, but there's nowhere better for a meal," Billy shouted to her, though he sat right next to her. Charlotte nodded, replying, "It's alright, I'm still tired though I slept the afternoon away so it's nice to be close to my room." The rest of the meal was spent in relative silence as neither wanted to shout to be heard. After an hour of the deafening noise, Charlotte told Billy she would go back to her room. Billy nodded and told her, "I've told people to let you know as soon as the Ranger is spotted."
Charlotte smiled, shouting back her thanks. Billy stayed below until Charlotte opened her door then waved at him. He knew she could defend herself, but it never hurt to be cautious. Billy and Charlotte fell in to the pattern of taking dinner together every night and soon the two weeks had passed with no sight of the Ranger.
Knowing her crew was beginning to grow antsy at the lack of activity, Charlotte found Seth the next day and ordered him to round up the crew so that they might set sail to take another prize. She hoped that she could capture another ship and return before she missed Charles. As she stood on the beach ordering supplies for her trip, a boy came running up to her across the sand.
"It's here, Captain! It's here!" he exclaimed as he came to a halt in front of her. Charlotte looked to where he was pointing and could just make out a ship sailing towards the beach. Even at this distance, Charlotte knew it was the Ranger just as the boy had said. She had pictured it thousands of times in the past year and there was no mistaking it for another. Her heart hammered in her chest and she took a deep breath trying to steady her nerves. Somehow, she managed to finish her order, then walked to find her first mate.
When she found him a short while later she told him of the arrival and asked him if he knew what to do. "Yes Cap'n. I'm to row out to the ship and ask the Cap'n if he'd like to join us," the man said although he looked green around the gills. "Yes, and the Captain will say no at first but you keep asking until he asks to see me," Charlotte said, gripping the man by the shoulders. He bobbed his head, "Yes, Cap'n."
Charlotte hoped she wasn't asking too much of her first mate. She could tell the man was nervous and with good reason. She hoped Charles wasn't quick to kill her emissary before she could make it to his ship. It was several hours before the Ranger dropped its anchor and she watched Jack and Anne come to shore with the first of their cargo. Charlotte felt a little bad about hiding from her friends, but she really wanted to see Charles before anyone else.
She watched as Seth approached Jack and Anne with his request to see Captain Vane and saw their skeptical looks. She knew they would accept, if for no other reason than curiosity and she was rewarded a short time later as the three rowed back out to the Ranger. Charlotte had originally planned to wait on the beach, but as Seth began climbing on board, she couldn't wait anymore. She walked to her own dingy where two of her own sailors sat waiting for supplies and told them to row her out to the Ranger. Butterflies the size of sparrows did summersaults in her stomach as she grew closer to her destination. She would see Charles in just a few short moments.
/
Charles sat behind his desk, his feet propped up on the corner of his desk and a drink in his hand. More than a drink really, an entire bottle. Which had been full this morning, but was now on its way to half empty, and he still wasn't drunk. These days it was taking more and more liquor to get him properly drunk and the pile of bottles in the corner from just this trip were proof. He expected a quiet day as his crew should be busy unloading cargo, so the knock on his door had him scowling.
"What!?" he barked at the offending noise. The door swung in admitting Jack, Anne, and a third person Charles didn't recognize. "Who the fuck is this and what do you want?" Charles ground out as he planted his feet firmly on the floor. The man looked as if he wanted to be anywhere else but where he was, but Charles saw him inhale a deep breath to answer. Before he could, Jack spoke up, "This man is O'Malley, first mate of the Devil's Mermaid a new ship to Nassau. Has a question for you, we thought you might find interesting."
At this, Jack motioned the man forward and he began what Charles suspected was a rehearsed speech. "My Captain is new to the profession and has heard of your ruthless reputation. Captain Kings requests that we join forces so to speak, so that we can each benefit from the other." Charles considered the man during his speech and marveled that anyone would be stupid enough to request his assistance. The new captain must be an absolute idiot to know Charles' reputation and still send his first mate to him. Charles scoffed at the man, "What the fuck would I need you for? If your Captain knows my reputation, he should know I have no use for anyone else. Now I suggest you get the fuck off my ship before I gut you."
The man paled visibly, but remarkably spoke again, "Begging your pardon Captain Vane, but my Captain said you'd refuse at first, but insists we'll work well together. We brought in cargo from three separate merchants on our first voyage." The man shook under Vane's glare, but soldiered on, "My Captain said if you'd speak directly, you could work something out." Vane clinched his jaw, fighting his instincts to run the man through, but his curiosity was also pricked. Whoever this new Captain was, was remarkably stupid and brave. A combination Vane couldn't help but wonder who it belonged to.
Leaning back in his chair, he glanced at Jack and Anne who flanked the man, before looking back to the first mate, "Where is your Captain now?" The man seemed to relax a fraction, indicating to Vane that he expected his answer. Now Vane knew he had to meet the Captain that had guessed his reactions correctly. "Waiting on the beach for a signal from me," the man replied. Charles raised an eyebrow at the man when he continued to stand there, "Well?" The man stood frozen until Charles barked out, "Send your signal!"
That sent the man scurrying out the door. Jack and Anne stood waiting on Charles as he stood from his chair. "This should be interesting," he said as he passed them on his way out the door. They fell into step behind him as Jack said, "I can only imagine." They walked out on to the deck just as the first mate came skidding to a stop at the side of the ship where he needed to climb down.
Someone was climbing up on to the deck, but Charles didn't recognize them and only figured it out when he heard the first mate exclaim, "Cap'n!" So, this was the man with a death wish. Not only to send his first mate to Vane, but to dare to come himself without invite.
Charles began to stride down the deck as he drew his sword from his side. He had no intentions of using it, at least not yet, but the imbecile had to be taught a little fear. Charles was halfway down the staircase when the Captain took off their hat letting loose a very familiar waterfall of chestnut waves.
Charles' steps faltered then halted all together when bright green eyes locked on to his blue. He vaguely heard Anne and Jack shout, and his sword clatter to the deck as he stood staring at what had to be an apparition. She couldn't be here. She just couldn't, and as many times as he had seen her on this deck in the past year, he couldn't make himself believe that this time it was real. Until she said his name.
/
The boat ride to the Ranger was the longest trip she had ever made, Charlotte was positive. It seemed as if an eternity passed before the little boat bumped up against the ladder and she was climbing back on to a ship that held her destiny. She was shocked to find her first mate at the side of the ship as she crawled over and he began jabbering in her ear. She only heard the words Captain Vane as Seth pointed over her shoulder and then she was swinging around to face the man she had crossed an ocean for.
He was striding to her with his sword drawn, but Charlotte wasn't frightened. As she removed her hat, she watched his steps slow until they stopped completely, not five feet from where she stood. She inhaled deeply, willing herself to be patient as his blue gaze took her in from head to toe. When she saw the disbelief in his eyes she called out to him, willing him to believe she was here. "Charles…" it came out in a whisper, emotion choking her voice, but she took a step towards him without realizing it, pulled to him by the same invisible thread that had hooked her from the first day.
/
Charles didn't know how he made it to her side, couldn't recall his feet moving, but suddenly Charlotte was inches away, her face turned up to his in expectation. Her soft touch on his cheek, rough with his beard, jolted him back in to reality. Quick as lightening, Charles reached out, crushing Charlotte against him. She clung to him as his mouth plundered hers, responding just how he remembered.
Picking her up by the waist, she took his hint and wrapped her legs around him without breaking their kiss. Charles only took his mouth from hers long enough to climb the stairs, but Charlotte used the opportunity to kiss her way down the side of his neck and across his cheek before her mouth found his as he opened the door to his quarters. They had left a deck full of people speechless, but Charles knew Jack would figure everything out and he really didn't care about anything or anyone besides Charlotte right now.
They made it to the bed, Charles laying her down and breaking their kiss only to trail his lips down her neck to the open v of her shirt. Charlotte sunk her hands in to his hair urging him to hurry and Charles couldn't agree more. Gripping both sides of her shirt at the v, he split the garment in half with one might tug. Her pants soon followed so that she was left in only her boots as he hadn't allowed her time to take them off.
Charlotte had been busy as well and Charles soon found himself shirtless as her hands roamed his torso. Unable and unwilling to wait even a second more to be inside her, Charles barely unbuttoned his pants before he was sliding in to her heat. As he seated himself as deep as he could, his eyes locked with hers once more and he breathed, "You're really here aren't you?"
Charlotte smiled up at him, "Yes, Charles. I couldn't live without you."
Charles answered her by pulling back then thrusting deep again. He buried his head next to her ear as he whispered, "Good." Charlotte would have laughed at his reply had he not taken the opportunity to increase his pace. Their lovemaking was fast, neither willing to slow the pace, eager to reach their pleasure in the other's arms.
Hours later, when all their clothing had come off, and they lay limp, sweaty, and exhausted against each other did Charles speak, "How is it that you're here Charlotte?" Her head lay on his shoulder, her naked leg thrown over his own and her hand drawing lazy circles on his chest. He felt her smile in to his shoulder and he squeezed her tighter against his side as she told him about the Admiral and the account her mother had set aside in her name. She told him about buying her ship and recruiting her crew and her voyage back to Nassau.
Charles listened intently, silently marveling at her tenacity, and thanking whatever god would listen that she was here. As she finished her story, he stroked his hand down her arm and across her back, reminding him of another story he wanted her to tell. He continued to trace the raised pattern on her otherwise soft back as he asked, "Who did this?" He could tell Charlotte was less inclined to repeat this story so he pulled her on top of him so that they were nose to nose. Her bright green eyes stared back at him so that he felt her gaze all the way to his soul. His hands continued their path across her back as he urged her again, "Tell me Charlotte."
He watched as she bit her lower lip, clearly concerned about telling him and he vowed to himself that he would remain calm. "The lashes on my back were Teach," she paused here as Charles' hands tightened on her hips. "Everything else is Anderson," she continued as Vane's hands moved once more, taking in every scar. Charles reply rumbled up from his chest in a growl, "Teach is dead." To Charlotte this wasn't a surprise as Billy had told her what had happened the night she was sold, so she stroked Charles' face as she replied, "Thank you."
Charles didn't acknowledge the comment, instead he flipped her on to her back kissing her deeply. When they came up for air, he slid in to her waiting core as he whispered against her mouth, "You said something about a partnership, Captain Kings?" Charlotte smiled in to his kiss, his lips crushing against hers as he began to move within her. She couldn't get enough of him, probably never would she thought as she matched his thrusts. "I did, Captain Vane," she managed to get out between pants. Vane was quite capable of making her see stars despite their hours of pleasure already and she could feel the climax building deep within her as his pace took on a stronger rhythm.
Charles thrust his hand into her hair, tugging forcefully until her neck was arched back exposing her to him, where their eyes would remain locked as he increased his pace even more, until he was slamming in to her. Charlotte came undone around him as he growled in to her ear, "On this ship. I only accept the deal if you remain with me." Charles couldn't stop his own release as Charlotte screamed her answer, "Always, Charles!"