Summary: Babs just can't seem to get away from Minion and it makes her so Angry. She must learn to accept him for the good of the team. Can they be friends? Or perhaps even more?

AN:

This is my first story so be nice in the reviews. Constructive criticism only! I'm super excited to be writing about our favourite couple on the best DnD podcast out there! This starts in the tempest arc because that's where things got really interesting for us Mabs shippers :D

Bold for Perspective Changes

'Italics for Thoughts. Thoughts are always from the perspective of the pov'

"Speech" and text

Chapter 1 – Catch Me When I Fall

Babs

A high-pitched squawk, more reminiscent of a dying swan than anything found in the ocean, reverberated around the deck. Babs noticed more than a few of the crew wince and cast a dirty look to the prow, not for the first time in the last few minutes. 'Can't he be out of the spotlight for one day' Babs thought even as she turned to watch the small goblin make a commotion.

Minion - now doing a decent impression of a chicken - was small, green and staring at one particular seagull with frightening intensity. His bare muscular chest was damp with ocean spray and glistened in the pale evening light. Babs continued to scowl at him even as she felt her face redden.

"You have to admit he's never boring" a voice called out from behind her "and I'm not sure any of us would be here without him". Bab's scowl deepened further as Derek walked up beside her. She had always been quite proud of her scowls – until recently they had been very effective at getting people to leave her alone.

"He dropped us into a pit within 5 minutes of meeting him. He's loud, obnoxious and has absolutely no ability to blend in." The vehemence of Bab's denials surprised even herself. Another high-pitched shout caused winces "and I have no idea how no one has killed him just to shut him up."

Derek seemed to grow increasingly amused as the volume of Bab's protests started to draw attention from the crew of the Tempest. The four-person party had only been 'valued' guests on board for a few days and with a few exceptions were still being given a wide berth. The caution wasn't completely unwarranted as the four of them could more than look after themselves, even with all of their weapons having been confiscated.

"I seem to remember him saving our lives three times the first day we met him, surely worth one small fall?" Babs glanced at Derek – her eyes leaving Minion's bird impressions for the first time. Bab's could never get a good read on her Dragonborn travelling companion. His mood seemed to change with the wind. For now he looked like he was the only one in on a joke.

Pushing down the desire to punch him, Bab's returned her attention to Minion who appeared to be performing some kind of interpretive dance – arms flapping in the air in a way vaguely reminiscent of wings. "I think three times is a bit excessive. He was just pulling some leavers before any of us had a chance to think."

"I suppose you would have jumped into single combat if only he'd given you the chance to volunteer? And I know I'm always glad to have him between myself and whatever we're fighting." Derek's scaled face had broken out in a massive grin.

'Oh fuck off Derek"

"I'll admit he's useful enough in a fight but that's the extent of it."

Minion seemed to be doing his best to back up Bab's point. In fact, the bird cries were now so loud and violent the nearest members of the crew were openly backing away and finding jobs to do in other areas of the ship. Bab felt her irritation with the whole situation rise to nearly unprecedented levels.

"I don't think you're being fair." Derek seemed to be completely unaware of how close he was coming to having Babs strangle him and dump his body over the side of the ship. "If you really thought so poorly of him why would you spend so much time giving him that temporary tattoo?"

Bab's had hoped Derek wouldn't notice the glowing text which currently adorned Minion's bicep. It was an exact match for the engravings on his vambrace (which Minion irritatingly insisted on wearing incorrectly). Babs has applied it earlier - in a rare moment of weakness - upon seeing Minion look unusually small and upset having had all of his weapons forcibly removed.

'But the idiots let me keep my lute.' Babs thought it safer to move onto more pragmatic thoughts rather than dwell on what had possibly motivated her to be nice to Minion.

Derek somehow looked even more pleased at her silence, his grin now showing off his full set of fangs. This combined with his height advantage over Babs gave the impression that he was looming over her. Babs wasn't particularly worried though, from travelling with him over the last few weeks she is confident that, should she need to, taking care of Derek wouldn't be a problem – especially if she was already up close. 'Derek Really likes being behind Minion's shield.'

Focussed as she was on the imminent death of her companion it took Babs a second to realise what had caught Derek's attention. Minion was now bent over the Seagull and was producing a soft sound that now actually sounded like the sea-bird. With a start she realised that the gull appeared to be nodding.

"Truly one of the most fascinating rituals I've ever seen. To think he could get himself so close to the mindset of a bird that he's able to converse with them. He's never boring, truly not one to underestimate." With his parting comment Derek wandered away down the ship. Perhaps finally sensing that this conversation wasn't the safest one for him.

Bab's took a few long slow breaths and slowly unclenched her fist. The effort of restraining herself took all of her self control.

She watched on as Minion continued talking with the Seagull. Gesturing vaguely in the direction of their confiscated weapons. 'About time he stopped moping around and helped us get out of this situation. It's like I'm the only one of us who's aware we're captives on a pirate ship.'

-Beyond the Rage -

Minion

Minion wanted his weapons back. There was a time when he was weak and could be bullied but he'd outgrown that. He was strong enough to look out for himself and strong enough to make sure that his friends wouldn't be taken from him. 'Not again.'

But he was much stronger and much better at doing those things when he had his sword and his awesome massive shield. And he looked badass which helped..

Minion looked down at his arm where his list of accolades currently glowed with a soft yellow light. He could feel the faint warmth of the magic against his skin. Obviously, it wasn't as badass and his awesome shoulder armour, but it was nice to be reminded that he was awesome even without it.

Minion looked up from where he was and saw Babs was watching him. He gave her a wave of thanks and showed off his arm to her. Babs frowned and quickly turned away but that didn't concern was like that with everyone..

'Perhaps she doesn't like waving? No it can't be that….'

With a flap of wings Byrd returned from his trip. It was hard to stay in the mindset of a bird long enough to keep up the conversation but Minion is awesome so he could do a few more minutes. He gave Byrd half of his cracker.

The exact conversation which followed would be hard to explain. Although explaining the concept of a shield to Byrd had taken a few moments she seemed to have picked up on it quickly. Byrd had managed to locate where his weapons were by flying around the ship and looking through the portholes.

Although her description of the room was quite rough it was enough for Minion to know exactly which door to kick down and the slightest sign of trouble. Which wasn't a bad plan; although it did involve killing the entire crew and then somehow sailing the ship without them. For now they'd have to be a bit patient as frustrating as that was.

At that moment, as if timed perfectly, the sound of two lutes drifted out over the deck. It was a calm song with the two skilled instrumentalists playing perfectly in tandem. The first mate – who was awesomely nicknamed Sourtongue - seemed to be in the leading but Babs was picking up the song with barely a mistake. The result was beautiful and haunting. The crew around the whole ship seemed to be just slightly more at ease.

Minion returned to looking at his friend doing what she loved. A rare smile adorned her face as her long blonde hair fluttered in the wind.

'Maybe being patient won't be quite so bad'

-Beyond the Rage -

Babs

The entire deck of the Tempest tilted aggressively to the right. The entire mighty ship couldn't seem to decide which way it wanted to face. The ship didn't really feel like it was being steered anymore. It was at the mercy of the waves now.

'What the fuck am I doing here?'

The crows nest moved most of all. Every time the deck rolled or a wave hit, the crows nest swung like a pendulum. It was all Babs could do to hold on, her fingers freezing and wet from the rain. She wasn't even sure what she was supposed to be doing up here. When the storm hit the man in the nest hadn't lasted long. When he crashed down onto the deck replacing him seemed to be an obvious way to help. It got her away from the waves. Now she had climbed up here, the plan seemed a lot less good.

Babs risked a look over the top of the edge. The rain was lashing down making it hard to see. She couldn't even really see the crew from up here. A bolt of lightning, far too close for comfort, illuminated the scene. Far below she could see that Derek had been swept off his feet and seemed to be clinging to a railing to prevent himself being swept off the ship. Minion and the Captain were fighting with the wheel trying to gain control over the ship. Ron seemed to be giving a speech.

The ship rocked left and the crows nest rocked with it. Babs barely managed to cling on as her body was nearly thrown onto the ship below. Her fingers just about found enough purchase to cling onto the sodden wooden wall.

'Fuck that was close.'

Thunder roared all around, making Babs' ears ring. Risking another look over the side Babs was just about able to make out the shape of a truly massive wave seconds away from hitting. Even from this height it was obvious that it dwarfed the ship and was going to sweep over the entire deck. For a second it looked like the Captain was going to be able to point the prow into the wave to lessen its impact but the vicious currents ripped the wheel from her hand.

Then the wave hit. The ship lurched right, the crows nest with it. Babs' fingers slipped and gravity took her.

Minion

Minion could taste salt. The wave that swept across the ship hit as hard as anything that he'd ever felt. Salt water forced its way down his throat and into his lungs. From above him he heard a terrible scream.

Lightning chose that moment to illuminate everything once again but as Minion saw Babs his vision turned a familiar red. 'There's no way this is happening to my friend'. Minion felt a familiar strength fill him as his vision narrowed down until all he could see was Babs' falling screaming form.

Minion let go of the wheel, his feet for once found grip on the Deck. He'd never reached full sprinting speed as quickly in his life. He reached the edge of the stern castle and he leapt into the air. His calves and thighs flexed powerfully – giving him the height he most desperately needed. As he approached, he caught a glimpse of her panic filled eyes before she collided with his chest.

Luckily Babs was the one person on the entire ship who was smaller than Minion. He was able to get his arms around her and clutch her to him before he hit the ship. The deck below him buckled slightly as he landed.

Babs seemed unsure what exactly happened as she struggled for a moment in his grip. In her panic she had no chance of extracting herself from Minions strong shapely arms. After a moment she stopped and looked up at him. She was soaking wet, her hair hung down her face and her clothes stuck to her skin.

Minion had never seen someone look so beautiful. The blood slowed in his veins and the world no longer seemed so red. Their eyes locked for a moment that seemed both to last eternity and be far too brief before Minion placed her carefully on the deck.

'Time to lighten the mood'

Babs

Babs had never felt so safe in her entire life. Something about being in Minion's arms felt like nothing could touch her. For a moment the Tempest, the Storm and everything else faded away as Babs stared into Minions eyes. He seemed to see her for the very first time.

The moment passed. She could tell he was going to do something to ruin it before he even opened his mouth. He'd just saved her life but she could already feel pre-emptive fury filling her. The grin was an exact match to the one he'd pulled after he'd dropped her in the pit and solved the puzzle room. It was the one she'd come to associate with Minion being pleased with himself.

"Damsel Catcher!" Minion almost didn't get through both words without giggling. Babs was overwhelmed with everything she wanted to say all at once.

'Firstly I'm not a fucking Damsel. People are dying on this ship and all you can focus on are your stupid nicknames.' Rather than say anything Babs turned and marched away to see how she could help on the ship. The storm hadn't stopped in the middle of their little drama. The ship had now turned more into the waves which gave those on deck a moment's respite.

She felt a hand on her shoulder so she turned and without hesitation punched Minion in the face. 'I don't care how if he just saved my life he can keep his hands…' Babs blinked the water out of her eyes and saw Ron standing there stunned with a rapidly blackening eye. Minion still stood 30 yards away where he had caught her – still bloody grinning.

'He probably deserved it anyway' Babs decided. As she felt her face reddened she quickly went to the mast and climbed back up into the crow's eye. More to escape her 'friends' than anything else. This time she tied herself in place.

'Damsel my arse.'

AN:

I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! I really enjoy writing from Babs perspective. I hope I caught her angry exterior whilst showing hints of her softer side! Let me know what you all think in a review!

Mabs 4 Eva