Chapter 6.1

A N: I don't know a darn thing about sailing. So I'm sure that this chapter is chock full of errors. I googled a diagram of ships, and even then— I just used general terms.

Again. Typing this on my phone. So I'm sure there are tons of errors. Standard disclaimer. I don't want or need to be sued. I don't intend any harm. I don't intend copyright infringement. These are fictional characters! I just want to make them happy!

-x-

Killian was itching to get the Jolly out in the open water again. She'd been stuck in port too long. Liam, who'd never lost his love of the sea agreed wholeheartedly. The brothers worked to get their former home shipshape. Between the tight group of friends a weekend trip was planned. They'd take the Jolly out to a nearby cove and sail back the following day.

Liam and Killian had examined all of the rigging; repaired and replaced several lines. One of the sails was in need of some extra attention and Liam climbed the rigging to get it down. A shout from the dock drew his attention and he saw Emma and Elsa walking towards the ship with bagged lunches in tow. They boarded via the gangplank just as Liam began making his way back down the rigging. He was confident on their beloved Jewel and knew that the last eight to ten feet above the deck was a distance he could easily jump and land safely. So he did, and landed a few feet away from Elsa.

-x-

Liam's shirtless. Liam's shirtless. Liam's shirtless. Elsa's mind repeated. She felt her tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth. She'd seen him running a few days before; the tight fit of his shirt hadn't hidden the shape of him. She'd admired the broad shoulders and narrow waist. But to see him only half clothed was doing more to her than anticipated. She thought back to their kisses in the library, hoping that he didn't think her too forward. She'd never parted her legs to wrap them around anyone before. His touch had been gentle, guiding her, not forcing her. She'd known that if she said 'no,' he would've stopped. And now, as he straightened to his full height from jumping Elsa felt her heart rate increase. "Hi," her greeting came out more like a whisper.

Liam greeted her back, "Is that for me?" He asked indicating the food she carried.

Elsa felt silly, having forgotten that she carried this. "Ummm, yes. Emma and I thought that we'd bring you and Killian lunch. She said that when Killian is onboard, he forgets to eat sometimes."

"Yes," Liam admitted. "I do too. I only now realized how hungry I am."

"Galley, or on deck?" Killian called out.

Elsa turned back with a quizzical expression.

"Should we eat here on the deck, love," Liam answered. "Or below deck? The ship's kitchen area is called a galley."

"Oh," Elsa appreciated learning.

"What do you prefer?"

"I- I don't know," she admitted.

"Well, it's getting very warm," Emma volunteered. "Why not in the galley today. We'll all be outside most of the day tomorrow."

Liam picked up his discarded shirt and began putting it on as the four descended to the galley below. Elsa schooled her features so that her disappointment wasn't evident. "Would you like a tour after lunch?" Liam asked.

"Thank you," Elsa replied.

The four chatted as they ate. Even though they weren't there, Anna and Kristof and their recent sonogram dominated the conversation. Anna had come away with an excellent prognosis, a due date for the baby, and enough sonogram pictures to keep her feeling warm for the next several months.

"One of the nurses suggested that Anna and Kristof have a gender reveal party," Emma said. She was met with three blank faces. "Okay, so it's a party, where the parents do something to tell the guests the gender of the baby. They cut into a cake- if it's blue they're having a boy, pink for a girl." Seeing some questions in their eyes, she contributed, "Baby

Girls usual get dressed in pink clothes. And boys in blue."

"Wait," Elsa said. "I'm confused. Only boys get to wear blue? I've always loved and worn blue."

"You look lovely in blue," Liam interjected and was rewarded with a pretty smile and blush from Elsa. Killian rolled his eyes at his brother.

"No you don't HAVE to dress the baby in those colors, it's just a simpler way to know the gender."

"Only cake?" Liam asked.

"No, sometimes balloons, or—" Emma paused. "That's it!!"

"What?"

"We go sailing. When night falls, Anna will tell me the gender. And I'll make Fireworks!" Emma was smiling so broadly that it was contagious. The three others smiling now.

"That sounds lovely, Emma," Elsa beamed. "Let's suggest it when we go back. But I'm sure Anna will love it and say yes."

-x-

"Sooo….. This is the galley," Liam teased. Elsa laughed prettily. After lunch, Emma and Killian went topside, leaving Elsa alone with Liam. He lead Elsa down a hall, "these are the crew quarters." Elsa saw a number of hammocks hanging in neat rows.

"So this is where I'll be sleeping?"

"Gods, no!" He opened the door opposite. "I think Anna and Kristof should be here, First Mate's cabin. And you-" he paused to open another door. "You're here, guest cabin."

Elsa entered the small sparse cabin. "Cozy," she said. She sat on the bed. "Where are you going to sleep?"

Liam gestured over his shoulder. "Crew cabin."

"What?" Elsa's eyes met his. She hopped off of the bed, grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the cabin. It was so small, they were already very very close. "I don't want you to sleep on a hammock."

He smiled indulgently at her. Liam started to play with a lock of Elsa's hair, "Elsa— asking you to sleep in a hammock would be bad form. I can handle it. And I've slept in one before."

"Look," she said pulling him closer to her and gesturing to the bed, "this is big enough for two." She smiled up at him. "We're both adults. We can —behave."

Liam groaned as he kissed her. His tongue asking for entrance almost immediately. After a few languid moments, Liam ended the kiss and pulled away slightly. "Elsa, I can guarantee that if we shared a bed, I will definitely NOT behave." Elsa was looking at him shyly. She straightened a little, as if she'd come to a decision; and then turned to crawl into the bed.

Elsa extended her hand out. "Really?" She questioned. "All this room for just me? Come on." She patted the mattress beside her. "Plenty of room."

"Elsa—"

"Liam!" She sat up. "Just lay here for a moment."

"Gods, Elsa—" and then without conscious thought he was crawling to lay beside her. With some restraint, he laid on his back, staring hard at the ceiling above. Elsa was on her side, head propped on her hand.

"Farthing for your thoughts," she whispered.

Liam sighed heavily. "My thoughts are so— Elsa, we have to talk."

"I don't know if I like this tone," he rolled so that he was facing her too. Liam picked up Elsa's other hand and laced their fingers together.

"Everyday since meeting you— I've been having impure thoughts," Liam couldn't look at her. He kissed each of her fingers and placed their joined hands over his heart, but he turned his face down into the pillow. "It's been a long time since I've been with a woman and all I think about is making love to you." Elsa's breathing became more rapid. "But we haven't known each other long and I don't want to rush this. Even though we talked about this, I'm still worried that I'm not good enough for you. And the other day— in the library— Gods Elsa, I feel like I pushed you into— it felt so good when your legs were around my waist and I just—-"

He cut himself off as his breathing became more labored. Elsa unclasped their hands, Liam felt a momentary disappointment but relaxed when she began to run her hands through his short curly hair. "As a princess I was forced into isolation. As a queen I was held in high regard. But you make me feel like a woman. Why can't we have what everyone else seems to enjoy?!" Liam finally raised his head to look at her.

"Are you a virgin?" He whispered the question.

"Yes, does that bother you?"

"No, but to be honest I feel intimidated."

"What? W-why?" Elsa questioned.

Liam leaned in and kissed her. "It can be painful the first time for a woman."

"So I've heard. But not always."

"Not always," Liam agreed. "And I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't want to rush this either, Liam," Elsa admitted. "But would it be so bad to share a bed with me? Could we not plan anything, just see where this will go?"

"Are you trying to kill me?" Liam moaned pulling her to him and kissing her. Elsa responded quickly. This kiss grew more desperate, all the while his tongue caressed hers rather than dueling. Again without forethought, Liam's mouth traveled away from her mouth to give kisses to her neck and that lovely spot where Elsa's neck and shoulder met. Again, she arched into him more and whimpered. Liam finally pulled away and stood to leave the cabin. "I have a lot to do to help get this vessel ready for tomorrow. And… tomorrow…I'm sleeping in the crew quarters, no argument." The look on Elsa's face indicated that there would be an argument!

-x-

End of chapter 6