Yay, updatage. I wrote this last week while I was in Florida and I just now got the chance to upoad it, sorry about the wait. I got the next 2 chapters handwritten and just got to type them up, and you are going to kinda be left hanging this time so don't kill me :P

Stephen was soaked through to the bones, exhausted, and irritated. His entire body felt like it would collapse from the strain he had put on it running his ship, but it was all in a day's work for a man of the sea. He would never let it weigh him down. He never complained and wouldn't start now, although his fool of a bosun, Stewart, was about to make him murderous if he didn't lay off. Stephen would never admit it openly, but despite the fact that he wascautious of anyone and everyone, Stewart and Alec were probably the closest to friends he had ever had. They tolerated his ill temper and dismissed his threats to kill them on numerous occasions in a stride that let him know they didn't doubt that he would do so in a heart beat, but knew that he didn't have anyone else to really talk to. And so Stephen tried to keep his temper down to a mild shimmer every time their agitation with Vanessa surfaced, because on some level within his being that tried to remain civil, he realized that they knew that his feelings for Vanessa were growing. They were aware that since Stephen had her to talk to and tend to him, their lives became expendable and worthless, and they were not in favor of being killed in one of his bursts of anger because of it.

Stephen was as afraid of his feelings for Vanessa as they were, though he only dwelt on it when he had a moment of privacy - a moment which came very rarely on a ship. The most horrifying thoughts were that for the first time ever he actually cared about what others thought of him, and he wanted to be a good man. Though those delusions were nothing more than a pleasant wish, and he well knew it. He was too far gone to be a true gentleman. Though he may dress as one and demonstrate the manner of one in public, Stephen Bonnet was a pirate, a criminal, a murderer, a pervert, and an complete asshole. Anything one could think of that was remotely vile, it was him. And remembering it only cause his temper to increase drastically at the moment.

It was no surprise to him that he had blackened Stewart's eye when he had mouthed off at the order to see Vanessa safely bellow deck when the storm had engulfed them. The upper deck was no place for a woman while the waves slammed into the ship, making even he have trouble keeping balance. Not to mention, the ship's veering side to side as though it would capsize at any given second.

Stephen gave the order, but Stewart had scoffed that she could see herself down to her owncabin and he was needed more on deck than below. Now Alec was having to take his shipmate to his cabin where the could remain safely passed out from the blow. Vanessa had gone with them, after scoldingStephen for being a complete ass. They could all go swiftly to hell for all he cared, in fact, he'd throw them all a ball when they met him there.

The wind was howling around them, and the lightening was terribly close. Thunder boomed as though thewrath of the old Gods was being thrust upon him. Stephen wouldn't be surprised if they did come for him. Surely the Christian God would sneer at him with disgust andspit onhis soul if their paths were to cross. He may know his scripture, but it wasn't going to do him any good in the long run. Danu was the only deity Stephen still had complete faith in; only she hadn't seemed to abandon him yet, and for that he was grateful. Without sheer luck, he'd have been hanged a long time ago.

A wave struck the ship causing him to nearly topple yet again. A yell came from the other side of the ship near the cargo hold. It took some time to make his way across the toiling ship, but he made it. A water cask had spilt open when a violent wave had struck it moments ago. Gallons of water pooled to ankle-deep when he made his way in to help salvage what cargo he could.

The gunpowder was soaked. Stephen cursed. Danu apparently held a grudge against him afterall.

He was in deep concentration at the work at hand when he heard the next shout.

"Fire!"

The ship went in a complete panic. Stephen bellowed to men left and right to fetch pails, and to calm down. If they were panicked it would only make matters worst. First of all, the fire was in the lower deck, thankfully on the furthest point away from his cabin where Vanessa would be safe and could still get out.Danu waslaughing at him now, for ashis luck would have it the rain was falling softer now, and the storm was nearly past them. Damn.

Stephen saw Alec run up the ladder and scan the men on deck, most likely scanning for him. "Aye, Alec, over here, man!"

Alec looked to him, but relief did not cross his pale features. Stephen felt the dread coil in his belly like a large snake.

Alec made his way to him. "The fire, Capt'n. It was my fault, aye. A wave slammed me into the wall as I was leaving Stewart's cabin and I dropped my candle and I guess the daft fool had spilt a drink outside his door, for it went up like it were the gates ter hell itself!"

Stephen didn't move, didn't react. There was more to this, Alec wasn't to the worst of it yet, he could feel it.

"Stewart and Vanessa were inside. She was tending to the blackened eye ye gave 'em. I couldna get back in, the flames were too high, Capt'n. I'm sorry!" Alec pleaded, but to mostly empty air, for Stephen was down the ladder without a moment's thought of what he was about.

He heard her screaming before he made it to the fire. It had engulfed most of the corridor itself, and before long would spread into the rooms and burn a hole into the side to let the water in. The Freya was going to sink.

"Vanessa!" Stephen bellowed. The flames were vivid orange, and the heat was unbearable.

"Stephen! The fire is in the cabin, but only blocking the door. The window in here is too small to fit through, and Stewart is still out cold."

"Just stay put, darlin'. We are gonna get ye two out without cookin' yez.." Stephen said and slammed the door open to the nearest cabin on his right. He yelled back out for men to bring the ax they kept on board. Before long he was hacking through the wall of the cabin, yanking panels of wood out with his bare hands in order to squeeze his large frameinto the room that was adjacent to the room Vanessa and Stewart were in.

Stephen swung the ax in a daze. He knew nothing other than he had to get them out. He had cared for absolutely no one other than himself for so long, and was in no mood to give up the woman that had warmed him in more ways than one the past few months. When he made a decent size hole, Stephen dropped the ax and stepped into the room. The fire was growing, but had yet to reach this side of the cabin. He hadVanessa in his arms and was half up the ladder before his senses came back to him. Turning, he saw Alec was behind him with Stewart slung over his shoulder like a limp scarecrow. Coming back to his senses he ordered hismen to try extinguishing the fire, but he knew it was useless at that point.

Above deck the storm had passed, but the fire could not be extinguished. They were going to sink.