Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. Kea and I have a lot of fun writing it a lot so please enjoy!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately we, Kea and Angie, do not own anything. It all belongs to the Disney Company, those lucky dogs.

Chapter 6

While Kea was engrossed in her musings, she came across a two year old boy with dirty blond hair and eyes so much like his father's. He was cowering in the dirt street from three older boys who were hassling him.

Not to far off was one of Norrington's men, watching the scene with amusement. He did nothing to stop the boys from harassing the little one.

Walking right up to the children, Kea's shadow fell over them making the harassers run off, knowing they'd be in trouble. When looking up the picked on boy recognized his 'aunt' and quickly attached himself to her leg. Kea reached down and stroked his head.

"It's okay now Jeremy, they won't bother you anymore."

"Mama?" Jeremy babbled while she soothed him.

"Mama's at the house. Where's Kate?" She said, almost to herself. Just then the said person came running up flustered.

"Jeremy! I couldn't find you, are you alright?"

"He is now, but you should take him home and watch him more carefully next time. Ria wouldn't be happy to hear what happened."

The stunned Kate shook her head vigorously, grabbing the boy's hand and heading back to the house. Sighing Kea started to follow after them but Norrington's man, having watched it all, decided just then to stop her by grabbing her arm.

Kea looked down at the hand then up in surprise disgust, "Can I help you?"

"Perhaps," the man answered with a cocky smirk while running his gaze up and down her. She shivered with disgust and tried to twist out of his grasp but he was too strong for her.

"What do you think you're doing?" She demanded.

"Not so fast my dear," he sneered, looking quite obviously down her dress front. "Hey, you're Norrington's little pet aren't you?"

"Pet? No, and besides what goes on between Norrington and I is none of your bloody business. Not let me go."

"Afraid I cannot do that, you have something I want."

"And what, pray tell, is that?"

"Well, I figure, if you're willing to give Norrington some fun then why not me? Come on, I just want a little kiss, darling." He leaned down to whisper in her ear, "I won't tell."

Kea gave the man a disgusted look, bastard, she thought and tried wrenching out of his grasp again and didn't succeed.

"Hell no I will not do that! Now let me go before I get Norrington." This time when she twisted away she did and started walking away but he grabbed her arm.

"What? You need him to defend you?" He sneered in her ear.

Of all the times to be wearing a dress, Kea said to herself, wishing she had her cutlass or at least grabbed the dagger she usually donned. Swinging round she slapped him hard in the face making sure the ring she had on left a cut.

He dropped her arm and clutched his reddening cheek in pain. Obviously the man was really thick headed because he tried to kiss and grab her again. This time Kea was ready for the attempt and kicked him in the knee. In retaliation, he punched her in the eye. The force of the punch caused her to loose her balance and go sprawling onto the ground.

Quickly he was on top of her, crushing Kea to the ground with his body. Putting all her anger and energy into it, she kneed him between the legs. He let out a loud howl.

Suddenly a voice broke through the melee, "What is going on here?!" It was Norrington. He took in the scene of Kea, her hair disarrayed with blood running down her face, and one of his officers struggling on the ground.

Gillette, who was with him, pulled the officer off the ground as Norrington helped Kea off the ground.

James addressed the man while holding onto Kea, "Ensign Fielding, I find your behavior reprehensible. One should never attack a lady."

"But...." Fielding was stopped from further denial when Norrington gave him a steely glare.

"Report to me in an hour."

Fielding grumbled in response, Gillette holding onto his arm to restrain him from lashing out.

"Gillette, take him back to the fort until I arrive there. Dismissed." The two officers headed off.

Kea, all the while, fumbled in her sleeve for a handkerchief.

"Kea?" James said, handing her his to use. She looked up into his blue gray eyes and saw his concern. Oh great, just what I need, she thought.

"Are you alright my dear?" He asked, worry making his voice tight. Kea tentatively felt her eye and winced.

"I will be thank you," she took a deep breath to steady herself. Licking her dry she tasted blood.

"Here, why don't we go to my place where we can get that cleaned up. Then you can tell me what happened."

After hesitating for a few seconds, Kea nodded and followed him to the house. They went into his study where he informed the butler to bring some water and rags. When the man returned, James told him they were not to be disturbed.

Sitting her on the chaise lounge, James took an ottoman and placed it in front of her to sit down on. He dipped a rag into the water and applied it to her eye. She winced again and gave a small gasp.

"Sorry."

"Ummm hmmm."

James dipped the cloth back into the basin and tended her cut lip. "You have very beautiful eyes Kea," he commented to fill the silence.

Kea looked up from examining the bruise on her arm from where Fielding grabbed her. She was not a vain woman but in her opinion her eyes were her best feature. To have them complimented meant a lot to her. She raised her eyes and looked up into his blue gray ones.

"You really mean that James?" She asked, slipping in the use of his name, having not heard something of that nature in a long time.

"Of course I do Kea. To me you are the most beautiful woman," he murmured as he leaned down to kiss her, mindful of her cut lip.

Kea saw it coming, and normally would have stopped it, but she was tired and enjoyed being looked after for once. So she let all reservations fall aside an accepted it.

His lips touched hers, tentatively at first, gauging her reaction at first. When he felt her arms slide around his neck he deepened the kiss, plundering her mouth fully with his own.

Kea couldn't believe she was letting herself kiss him. She knew she would regret it later, but right now, presently, his comforting and caring tone soothed her. Letting herself drown in the moment she kissed James back whole heartedly, all the while thinking of someone else.

His hands moved from her waist to her golden hair and started removing the pins that held it aloft. Soon they were gone and her hair spilled down her back, loose and free. James ran his hands through it and marveled at the silky smoothness.

Kea ran her hands up his strong back and then down the front of his uniform where she started undoing the buttons. When she was done she let it fall to the floor as their mouths still moved over each other with enthusiasm. James pushed her down onto the lounged cushions till she lay on her back with him on top. They broke apart for a second to regain their breath, but quickly continued their affair.

With new found passion Kea now started unbuttoning his shirt that had been under the uniform coat, while James began untying her bodice. Maybe not having her dagger was a good idea, she thought.

When he was done untying the bodice the only thing separating him from her chest was a white shift. Leaning down he kissed her heaving chest through the thin cotton. She groaned at the contact and ran her hands up and down his stomach making him do the same in return.

Suddenly the mood was broken when the couple heard a delicately startled gasp. Lifting their heads they glanced in the direction that it came from. Standing in the doorway of the room was Ariel, who looked extremely embarrassed at what she had walked in on.

Meanwhile, Ria had arrived back at the house. "Kea?" She called out. When getting no answer she turned to find Grant standing close by. "Has Kea come home?"

"No Milady," Grant answered.

"That's strange," she murmured to herself as she headed up the stairs to change into her more comfortable pirate clothing. When done she went in to check on a now sleeping Jeremy whose room was right next to hers.

Going inside his darkened room she sat down on the bed where he slept peacefully. Leaning down she kissed him on the head while rubbing his back the way he liked.

"Mama," he murmured, waking up a bit.

Ria smiled at her beloved son, "I'm here baby. Go back to sleep so that I can see you sooner in the morning. I love you."

"Wuv you too mama," he muttered, falling asleep again as Ria continued to rub his back. When satisfied he was not going to wake up she went back downstairs.

As she was coming back down the steps the door opened and Kea entered somewhat disheveled. Her hair semi down and one side of her dress was lower than the other. One eye black and blue with a slightly blood encrusted lip. Seeing this Ria rushed down to her friend.

"Kea! What on earth? Where have you been?" Ria bubbled out with concern.

Kea looked up as if she hadn't a care in the world, "I found Jeremy getting picked on and helped him out. Then one of Norrinton's officers accosted me while I was walking away. Then Norrington showed up and put an end to it. We went to his house and Ariel showed me some of her drawings." Kea purposely left out the kiss and the proposal that ensued.

Also the conversation she had with Ariel while looking at her drawings. She smiled slightly as she recalled what happened after her and James was discovered.

After Ariel had left, James had gotten off Kea and started apologizing profusely. He turned away while Kea retied her bodice strings while he buttoned his shirt and put back on his uniform coat. While he was turned he began saying that honor compelled him to propose marriage. Kea had brushed it off saying that he was exempt from all blame and that if he told no one then neither would she. She asked if she could see his sister, he agreed and told her where Ariel's room was.

Kea quickly braided her hair and headed to the girl's bedroom. Knocking she waited for an answer.

"Come in," a voice replied and Kea entered.

Ariel looked up, "Oh, I thought you were my brother. I wanted to show him a picture I drew of a sunset while coming here."

Kea glanced at the girl for the first time, she had long red hair and blue eyes; standing about five six being nineteen years old.

"I'm sorry if I interrupted anything in there, Lady Arthington. It's just that I haven't seen him in so long," she suddenly sobbed into her hands.

Kea rushed over and hugged her, letting Ariel cry on her shoulder. God what had she done? Gradually the girl's tears subsided.

"Ariel what happened in there..." Kea took a deep breath, "What happened in there was not proper. You did us a favor by coming in when you did. Your brother was tending to my injuries and the situation merely got out of hand."

"You don't love my brother do you?" Ariel asked with sudden astuteness, catching something in Kea's tone that even Kea did not know she had used.

"No I do not, though I respect him, but am not in love with him," Kea admitted.

"So that means we won't be sisters. I have always wanted a sister."

"I'm truly sorry I cannot fulfill your wish. I only hope your opinion of me and your brother does not diminish. He is an honorable man and all I can say for myself is I don't deserve him. Besides, the French have never gotten along with the English," she added with a smile.

Ariel's eyes widened questioningly, "But surely he would..."

Kea chuckled, "Over look it? Who knows?"

"I'm afraid I do not understand," Ariel admitted. She was now sitting next to the window and Kea inelegantly on the floor. What would her mother say to that?

"My father was French and my mother English. While mother was away at school she met Adrianna, a French girl, and they became friends. They would go to Adrianna's chateau for the winter and there she met the girl's twin brother, Lord Antoine. They got to know each other, eventually fell in love and got married."

"Life went on as it should have, father and mother loving each other, and then me coming along. But it all ended the eve of my eighth birthday when father was accused of treason. Supposedly for being an English spy the arrest warrant said. After the inquest, mother and I sailed to England where we lived with her brother, Lord Harold. But, on the ship over to England I met Calandria," Kea smiled, recalling that time with fondness.

"I had been listening to the ship's Captain explain what he did when eight year old Ria ran into me. The Captain invited Ria to learn also and when he left us for a bit we got to know each other and have been friends ever since. She also met my mother and when the ship docked she invited Ria to live with us, which ended up being till Ria was eighteen. So there's my past, now you know," Kea finished with a shrug as she stood up.

"Wow, that's something. But wait, are you leaving? I was hoping to show you more of my pictures."

Kea genuinely felt bad, "I am afraid I must. My eye and lip still hurt and I have obligations back at home. But I hope we can do something together soon."

"Oh okay," Ariel said giving Kea a quick hug. "Thank you. And I don't think my opinion of you will lower."

Kea was then snapped out of her trance by Ria, "Uh, Kea?"

"Oh sorry, just had a fleeting thought. How's Jeremy, by the way?" She asked.

"He's sleeping right now," Ria commented. "Thank you for what you did. By the way, you need to get something on your eye."

"Shortly," Kea turned at an attentive Grant. "Did any parcels come for me?"

"One, Milady, that I placed it on your desk."

"Thank you," Kea said rushing upstairs with Ria following in haste. Ria had a thought then, was Kea going to be leaving on one of her mysterious trips again?

"Kea, what's going on, you can tell me. You've been disappearing periodically for weeks lately, never leaving word where you are going or when you'll be back," Ria panted having reached Kea's open door. "And now you've gotten this parcel. What are you up to?"

Kea spun about and faced Ria, in her hand was a pile of papers, "Remember what I was telling you about my father?" Ria nodded, remembering.

"Well, a few months ago, while I was in France on one of my periodical trips I hired someone to look into the events that happened leading to my father's arrest. I should have stayed until the report was finished, but I..., well something required my attention elsewhere," Kea said, handing the papers to Ria to read. Then heading to a corner of her room she lifted a blanket off a golden cage revealing an upside down pet bat, Sigmund.

Ria looked up from reading and shrieked slightly, glaring at the pet in disgust. She never did like bats ever since one bit her finger when she was trying to feed it some fruit. Ria shuddered, "Will you put that cover back on that little beast?! And make sure Jeremy never sees him, he's terrified of bats."

Kea grinned widely, "In that case, I'll put Siggy over his bed tonight."

"You wouldn't dare," Ria ground out, ready for battle.

Kea just chuckled, "Just a thought." She put the blanket back on.

"So what are you going to do about these?" Ria asked, done reading, when walked back over to her.

Her friend shrugged again, "As of yet, I have no idea. I'll just have to wait and see what documents that other person has." By that time Kea had already shown Ria the letter she'd received.

Here's the first chapter we're uploading tonight, there'll be another one. Please review! Thanks!