Author's Note: I have actually nearly finished writing this (I'm a few chapters ahead of you), so I've started planning a sequel, which I may or may not write. Depends on the general feeling of the reviewers at the end... anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter and review!

Chapter Twenty Three: Allegiance

The truth was that Lainey- no, Carmen, she kept forgetting- had another reason for wanting to speak with Edward. As she walked down to the brig, her heart was thundering in anger. Edward had known. But, for some stupid reason, he had never told her.

He was sitting against his original beam when she got down there, head bent forward so that long black hair fell into his face. His beard was looking slightly wild, but he looked perfectly friendly as he raised his green eyes to her.

"Lainey, how lovely to-"

"I don't want you to call me that again!" Carmen cried, standing before him, fists balled.

She could tell from the look in his eyes that he knew she had found out, but still he stood shakily up, asking softly, "What has happened, dear?"

"As though you care!" Carmen replied icily. She saw the hurt in his eyes but she was burning inside.

"He told you then." Edward swallowed, raking a hand through his hair. For a moment he was silent, staring at his feet. Then, without any warning, he burst into tears.

Carmen stood still, watching him. Of course it hurt to see this man, Edward, crying. But he had hurt her so much, he had lied to her her whole life. She was completely torn, and so she stood still, amber eyes fixed on his face, which was twisted with sadness as he sobbed.

Eventually he calmed himself, looking at her with a strange, strong look in his eyes. He opened his mouth, then closed it. He swallowed again, and his eyes left her, fixing themselves on a knot in the wood by the stairs. "I suppose you hate me," he muttered.

"I don't hate you," she said numbly, and it was of course the truth.

He bit down on his lip. Then he stepped towards her, holding out his hand. "I'm so sorry, L-Carmen." His cheeks were dark with shame.

Carmen didn't hesitate. This was Edward. He had always been there for her, even if he had acted like she was someone else. She reached out and wrapped her fingers around his. Then they were falling together, Edward squatted on the floor, holding her close, her head resting on top of his, her arms around him. He was crying quietly again. She had never known him cry.

"Why?" she asked quietly. She had to know.

Edward spoke softly into her shoulder. "We... mother and I, that is; we were so worried you would l-leave if you knew."

Carmen sighed. "Edward, it was never your secret to keep- and I was never yours in the first place."

He sniffed loudly, and she could feel her shoulder growing damp. His own were shaking. "I know, Carmen, I know. But... we loved you so..." He trailed off, but she knew there was something else. And then she realised what it was.

She should have guessed. She scolded herself for not knowing. Unrequited love. Poor Edward. Tears filled her eyes as she understood his pain.

"I'm in love with you, Lainey."

She held him tight, tears rolling down her cheeks. "Oh, Edward."

For a long time they sat like this, in silence. Carmen didn't know what to do. Edward was her brother, and that was as deep as her feelings ran for him. She had had no idea he felt like this. Tears ran down her cheeks, but she knew she needed to get him to fight for Jack. That was the most important thing.

"Will you fight?" she asked softly. "Tobias is coming towards us, with pirates. I suppose they're coming to get me."

Edward nodded into her shoulder. "I have nothing better to do." Then he looked up at her with a watery smile.

Carmen smiled back at him, then stood up. She watched him as he gathered his things, pulling back his hair. He looked almost normal again as he stood, facing her, but now she knew the truth. Silently, she took his arm and walked with him upstairs, out onto the deck.

Jack was leaning against a near-by mast, apparently waiting for them. He definately looked like a pirate captain, with his three-cornered hat and long coat. His eyes blazed as Edward approached him.

"I wish to pledge my allegiance," Edward said.

Jack nodded. "A pleasure, dear lad." And he shook his hand. But his eyes were boring into Carmen's with an intensity she had never seen before, and she realised he knew of Edward's feelings for her, and he was worried in case she had returned his feelings.

She winked, and he seemed to get the message, smiling a little. Then she turned to see the ship racing towards them on the horizon. This was going to be a long day.

Next chapter preview: 'Something Sweet'

Jack rolled his eyes. What was it with women always wanting a slice of the action, as though they were desperate to prove they were equal to men? He sighed. He did not have the time to convince Carmen otherwise, and he decided his days of physically forcing her to do things were over. Instead, he was just going to have to protect her. She had seemed able enough with a sword in the brig, but 'able enough' and 'pirate-type skill' were two very different things. "Alrigh', luv."

She smiled and turned away, pulling out of his arms, but he pulled her back suddenly.