Greetings, fellow human beans! It's been...too long. Far too long. *sighs* Got a lot going on IRL that I don't want to bore anyone with, just the biggest thing is that it's been a struggle to find time and energy to write. But I had most of this done and it just took me far longer than I had hoped to join it together. I'm really, truly, very sorry for having neglected everyone for so long, but just know, I'm still working on this story best I can, and I hope you appreciate the swaggering Spanish as much as I did whilst writing him. (P.S. please forgive me if there's any weirdness in this chapter, I kinda forgot to read the previous one to get back into the rhythm, sorry!)

Again, so very sorry about how long it's taken for this, I can't even believe how quickly five/six months have flown by, but I hope the contents of this chapter help makes up for it and helps cheer people up some. Thank you so much for hanging in there. Stay safe, everyone, best you can.

The dining room was filled with a volume of sound that made me cringe. Boisterous sailors were a level of noisy that made me want to run to my room, but I didn't know which one was mine yet.

Luckily, I quickly spied Lesaro standing with a few other officers, each talking to each other with a calmness that was at odds with the loud chattering of the rest of the room.

Weaving my way over to the table was almost a hazardous undertaking, what with dodging excited swings of tankards and the occasional body falling from a chair at a friendly push. Lesaro looked up just as I came closer and gave a short word in Spanish to his companions before clasping my arm and leading me towards a table with half-eaten food in a quieter spot against the wall.

I followed with a sigh of relief, eager to be away from the noisy sailors. "I take it everyone's happy to be back on land?"

Lesaro scoffed as he gestured for me to sit, only to frown and reluctantly took his own chair when I shook my head. "Eager to drown themselves in drink, more like. Though most often being ashore is an occasion to celebrate."

I grinned down at him. "And here I thought you would take advantage of the occasion to relax some!"

He gave me a look that told me exactly what he thought of my comment, then his expression lightened. "How did you enjoy your outing? Did Teniente Ramirez give you any – problems?"

"He was a perfect gentleman," I told him, not wanting him to think I needed a different escort. Ramirez was a good sort, for all his intents to mess with Armando. At the thought of his name, my hand drifted down to my pocket before I caught myself.

I glanced around the room as a distraction from the contents of my pocket, and did a sharp double take when I saw who was lurking in one of the darkened corners of the dining room, separated by unlit candles and the shadows cast by the geometry of the walls.

Familiar dark eyes, wreathed in shadow, were locked on me.

I blinked, surprised to see him dining in the hall with so many others, rather than a private dining room.

He held up a wineglass towards me in a salute, a gesture of acknowledgement.

I tilted my head, unable to resist a shy smile in return, then ducked my head quickly. His stare held the same intensity that it had this morning, the heat of it burning away the cold aloofness in my memory.

Clearing my throat quickly, I asked, "Is there a room for me? Or should I return to la María?"

Lesaro smiled slightly at my attempt to pronounce the warship's proper name with the Spanish inflection, and inclined his head. "There is. Supper and a bath should both be waiting for you. How is your leg?"

I had subtly shifted my weight off of it, but even with only one eye, the man's vision was keen. I gave him a rueful smile. "It's okay. Aches a little. I just overstretched it. I'll be right as rain in the morning."

His eye narrowed at me a little with doubt, but he didn't challenge me on it. With a heavy exhale, he shook his faintly and muttered something in Spanish.

"Did you say something?" I asked sweetly, able to make an educated guess on what he'd muttered.

Lesaro shot me a look, then dug in his coat pocket. "Here is your key. The room number is thirteen-"

We both stopped as something tugged on my shirt.

I jumped in surprise, then looked to see it was another Spanish sailor, one I didn't recognize.

Lesaro asked him a brusque question in Spanish, but the lanky man only bobbed his head and held out something towards me. I recognized my cherimoyas and surmised Ramirez must've sent him after I'd forgotten to ask them back. I smiled and took the fruit. "Gracías."

The sailor gave me a smile full of missing teeth and shuffled away.

"Ramirez did a little shopping with me earlier," I explained at Lesaro's curious look, unable to resist a quick glance over to the dark corner, drawn to it now that I knew he was there.

I was startled to see he was still staring at me.

Seeing he had my attention, he lifted his hand, and as I watched, crooked his finger twice, summoning me to his side.

"Guillermo?" I managed, swallowing on the thick lump in my throat. "Can I leave these with you real quick?"

Lesaro had noticed my predicament and smirked faintly. "But of course, Isabeau. Do not tempt him into anything - indecent, hm? After all, we officers are expected to be on our best behavior."

I glared at him as I started walking away. "You're not helping, Guillermo."

The irritating lieutenant merely smirked wider and went back to his meal, quite content to let me be eaten alive by his captain.

My breath stuttered in my throat at the image he made, pure temptation incarnate. And like I was a hapless sailor to his siren's call, I was drawn over to where he sat, half concealed in the shadows. His uniform was impeccable as always, not a hair out of place in his bun, and it made my insides melt as he gave me a lazy blink, like some great cat lounging after a filling meal.

"Buenas tardes, señorita," Armando purred, his melodic voice bringing to mind the deep baritone of the cello's music.

"Hola." I cocked my head slightly and gave him a deliberately light grin, trying not to let him see just how much he affected me, though I was pretty sure it was too late for that. "Dining alone, Capitán?"

"For the moment." He looked up at me, his expression unusually relaxed, and I wondered what had him so at ease. "How did you find your excursion?"

The token felt like it was burning in my pocket at his words.

I tensed as a particularly loud burst of laughter came from behind me and instinctively moved closer to his formidable presence as I searched for an appropriately neutral term that wouldn't upset him. "It was…educating."

His mouth quirked in wry amusement. "A tactful answer."

I grinned at his response, then took a closer look at his face, seeing a surprising lack of strain in his features. "How was your day?"

His easy expression closed slightly. "The usual inanities of docking at port."

He leaned forward to lift his wine glass and take a swallow, fixing his dark eyes back on me as he swirled the rich liquid in languid circles. "I would much rather talk about you. I haven't seen you since this morn, después de todo."

Uneasy at his scrutiny, I stuck my hands in the pockets of my dress, once more aware of how uncomfortable it was to wear such heavy clothes after a sweltering day. Not to mention the shoes weren't exactly comfortable either. My fingers brushed something hard and I froze, kicking myself for forgetting so quickly.

I wasn't sure if it was dark enough to hide my sudden blush, but I wasn't taking any chances. "I'm…alright. It's busy enough here that no one seems to notice the little things I can't hide yet."

"Hm." He took another sip, giving me a measuring onceover. "The dress does much to disguise your…oddities. How does it fit?"

I tugged at the neckline, annoyed with how much my boobs seemed to be on display. "Horribly."

Armando chuckled, then tilted his head towards the seat across from him. "Curraré should be a few moments more yet."

I gracelessly sank into the seat, knowing it was more of a flop, but I was just relieved to be off my feet. They were starting to hurt just as much as my leg was. I never knew it was possible to miss a pair of sneakers so much. "Why do shoes have to be so freaking painful."

"I don't know what you speak of, señorita." His eyes glittered with mischief. "My boots are quite comfortable."

I shot him a glare. "Then let me borrow them for a while. You can have these torture devices I'm wearing."

A crooked smile tilted his mouth. "Perhaps you wish to wear my uniform as well?"

Shivers tingled down my spine at his words…and at the image they produced of me wearing his clothes. I couldn't help but defensively toss back, "I think I'd look a fair sight better in it than you do."

A complete lie, but he was messing with me on purpose, and it was making me flustered. Unfortunately for me, he was feeling playful this evening.

His smile faded to a thoughtful expression. "Indeed you would. However, you would need my sword to complete your appearance, I think."

I blinked, not sure how to respond to that. I wouldn't even know the first thing about handling his sword, and I certainly didn't want that dangerous weapon anywhere close to me.

"Of course, your hands are small, and you would need both to hold it." He tilted his head, his eyes dropping to my hands as he gave them a considering perusal. "Perhaps the hilt will even be too thick for your fingers to close around."

I opened my mouth, feeling confused, then closed it as he shrugged, taking a nonchalant sip from his wine before continuing, "But it will be harmless enough in its sheath. If you wish, however, I could teach you how to hold it properly."

Suspicion flickered at his words, along with the feeling that I was missing some very important subtext. I narrowed my eyes at him as I tried to figure out if he was messing with me, or if he was just making idle conversation.

"Well, as I don't have any intentions on learning how to fight with a sword, I don't think I need any teaching," I said slowly.

Black brows lifted slightly as he looked at me. "Are you certain? Pity. There is much pleasure to be had in swordplay. If one's opponent is skilled enough, that is. But perhaps you are right. After all, it takes a patient teacher to learn it well, one who has had many years to learn many lessons, and who is willing to give his pupil his full attention."

His words were innocent enough, but now I was almost completely certain he was implying something completely different than sword-fighting.

I stared at him warily as he took a bite from his plate, his expression blank as he waited for my response.

I decided it wasn't worth the effort of trying to pick apart what he was saying and shrugged. "Maybe sometime in the future, I'll take you up on the offer. Not sure I want to even hold a sword, though. It's more than a little daunting."

His eyes gleamed with mischief even as he looked surprised. "Oh? But you have already held my sword, cariño. Was it not impressive enough for you to remember?"

Confused, I tried to figure out what he was talking about. When had I ever held his sword? I'd only seen it once out of its scabbard, and certainly had never held it.

Wait. Was he...even talking about the actual weapon? But what sort of innuendo could he be using his sword for-

Sword.

I'd held his sw- that ass!

Armando saw the instant it connected in my head and winked at me.

Winked at me!

"You absolute shitnugget!" Face beet red, I grabbed a roll from the table and threw it at him, making him toss his head back and burst into laughter as it bounced off his chest.

Grumbling under my breath about men and their 'swords', I huffed and pushed out of my seat, my cheeks burning with mortification at how easily I'd been played.

"Lo siento, cariño, por favor, do not leave me just yet." Still chuckling, Armando reached out and caught my wrist, tugging me back towards him.

I resisted out of embarrassment and spite, but he simply kept up a gentle, unrelenting pull until I was dragged between his knees.

He ducked his head, still smiling, to meet my gaze, trying to rearrange his expression into a pout when I looked away, but his smile still peeked through. "I know, I know, I should not tease you so, but it is difficult for me when I greatly enjoy your blushes."

"Ass," I muttered, flip-flopping between anger and mortification. It was horrid, knowing he could embarrass me like that, and on purpose no less! "You are such an ass."

He clicked his tongue and lifted my hands to his lips, brushing kisses to my knuckles. "Forgive me, preciosa?"

"Never!" My cherimoyas popped into mind. "And here I bought something I think you'd enjoy. Now I'm going to eat them all myself."

"Eat?" Armando's smile tilted charmingly. "Is it more cinnamon anañas?"

I dropped my eyes from where I'd been staring fixedly over his head to see him looking up at me through his lashes. "You are such a brat tonight."

He nuzzled my fingers, and I couldn't help but feel my lips pull upwards. He was acting like a giant puppy, and I'd never seen him so playful.

"Only with you, Isabeau." His murmur was punctuated with a kiss to the back of my hand, even as he tugged me even closer towards him.

I almost, almost gave in to the temptation to follow his tender coaxing, but in that instant, cat-green eyes flashed through my mind.

Steeling myself, I inhaled sharply, catching his crisp scent. "I need to go to bed. And you do too. It's been a long day for both of us."

At my words, he lifted his head, his brows lowering into a small frown. "How is your leg?"

Until he'd said something, I actually hadn't even noticed it was hurting. At my grimace, his frown deepened. "It pains you?"

"It didn't until you opened your big mouth," I grumped, tugging one hand free to rub over my thigh, hoping to ease the aching muscles.

Armando made a little scoff before yanking on the hand he still held, making me yelp in surprise as he tumbled me off balance and into his lap.

Not again! I'm trying to be good!

"Armando, let me up!" I struggled to get back on my feet before the feel of his body against mine soaked my brain into mush, but his arms had already encircled me, keeping me in place. I stiffened as I felt him lower his head, abruptly reminded of the bruise still darkening my skin where I'd been bitten. I briefly wondered if he could see it-

"I like how you say my name," he purred, nuzzling behind my ear, making me shiver. "Say it again, por favor."

I blushed at his coaxing murmur, even as I caught a glimpse of his almost empty wineglass next to his plate. "Please tell me you're drunk. Or better yet, don't tell me. I don't know which is worse."

He chuckled and pulled me up higher against his chest, the shadows keeping anyone from noticing what was happening in the corner. "I may have consumed a little too much wine. But I am not drunk. Not in the sense you mean."

"Is there really more than one way to be drunk?" I pondered aloud as I wriggled futilely in his embrace.

"Sí." He sighed into the crook of my neck, even as he ignored my attempts to escape before I succumbed to invitation he was offering. "Calmate, querida. Give me a moment, por favor. Just a moment."

And just like last time, I was unable to resist his murmured request. With a sigh, I stopped fighting, letting myself slump back against his chest, even as he rearranged his hold to clasp me more securely. "We're gonna get in trouble."

Armando snorted, his face still buried in my neck. "I am el Capitán. I think not."

"Arrogant much?" I teased lightly, even as I reached up to stroke his slicked-back hair. "Is this how the tavern wenches feel when they're being accosted by rowdy customers?"

He grunted and I could almost feel him roll his eyes. "Doubtful."

Grinning, I continued to muse out loud. "Sailors are known for being an unruly lot. And last I checked, Capitán, you were still considered a sailor."

"Continue in this manner, and I will show you just how unruly I can be," came the threatening rumble.

I giggled and stroked the back of my fingers against his cheek before dropping it to rest on his arm. I'd missed this. This comforting banter, the touching, holy cow, the touching.

I was beginning to wonder just how tactile he truly was, when not holding himself back. When he was high with emotion, he didn't stop touching me in some way until he'd reined in his control. But now the Silent Mary was docked, he seemed to be more…affectionate, than ever. I didn't want to think of the implications of using that word, but it was the only way I could describe how he'd become.

"I can hear your thoughts," a deep baritone murmured, interrupting my reflection.

"If that was the case, you'd have dumped me on the floor and lit out like a squirrel on fire," I replied, leaning my head back onto his shoulder.

Armando made a choked noise at that imagery. "Now I must know what plagues you so."

I snorted. "Yeah, not gonna happen, Capitán."

Comfortable silence settled between us for a long moment, but eventually he stirred with a sigh. "We must retire for the night. You were correct earlier in saying it has been a long day."

I suddenly realized that it had been the two of us for a long while. "Where did your friend go?"

Unexpectedly, the strong arms around me tightened. "Era inteligente y se mantenía alejado."

I sat up to look over my shoulder at him in surprise. "What on earth did you just growl in my ear?"

Armando's expression was mulish. "Nothing of concern. Now, you need to rest. Have Lesaro show you to your room."

Rolling my eyes at his refusal to translate, I said smartly, "Kinda hard to do when you won't let go."

His face instantly melted into a sly wickedness, and just as he opened his mouth, I clamped my hand over it before he could say whatever he was about to in that knee-weakening voice.

"No," I told him sternly. "You are not getting any more free passes at teasing me tonight. You used them all up with that 'sword' comment of yours."

His eyes gleamed merrily as he smiled under my hand right before I felt a hot tongue swipe across my palm.

I recoiled instantly, shoving away the interested perk of my libido at having that tongue elsewhere, and glared at him. "Ew."

Deliberately, I wiped my hand on his sleeve. "That was just gross, and wrong, on so many levels."

Armando snickered at my reaction. "And yet, that is what you would do to me, no?"

I paused, and lifted my eyes to his. I gave a disgusted snort with a disgruntled wrinkle of my nose when I realized that he was completely correct. "Touché."

He chuckled, leaning forward to kiss the tip of my nose. "Bed, señorita. Your leg still needs to heal."

I twisted around to face him, making him look up at me curiously. My eyes trailed over his face, taking in his gorgeousness one feature at a time, while every fiber of my being screamed for me to lean down and kiss him good night.

I almost did. One twitch from him would have sent me straight to Sin City, kissing a man who was attached to another woman.

But I didn't. I held onto my morals. Barely.

"Good night, Armando," I whispered with a small smile, wishing I knew what I could do to express what I felt. This man had done so much for me, and I could never repay him for it, even if I spent the rest of my life trying.

"Good night, Isabeau." The deep murmur vibrated through my hands.

Quickly, before anything else could happen that would stretch my already thin self-control to the point of snapping, I slid off his thighs, his hands slipping off my waist slowly, as if he was reluctant for this moment to end as I was.

Spanish Translations (Courtesy of SpanishDict)

después de todo - after all

Era inteligente y se mantenía alejado. - He was smart and kept away

Alas, it's the end of this chapter, I'm sorry it came so soon (lots of apologies, I know). I'm working on the next one, but it'll probably be a little while yet. But I'm still here, I haven't given up, it's just slow-going. So hang in there for me and I'll do my best to deliver. *salute*