Sorry it's been so long since my last update guys. I've been rather busy. My family is getting ready to move and everything is pretty hectic so if my updates are a little irregular for a while that's why. By the way, this chapter is going to get pretty graphic in the sexuality department. So I'm gonna definitely have to up the rating to M. Just warning everyone.

Chapter Six

"Land ho, Captain!" one of the men yelled to Isobel. She went to the bow and shading her eyes against the setting sun. Sure enough in the distance was Tortuga. They had been sailing for three days, and she had thought that they would make it there by tonight. She walked over to Jon who was steering the ship.

"Prepare to dock in Tortuga, Jon," she said, "It won't be too long, maybe just after sunset." He nodded, and she walked away. She wanted to find James. Since they had set off, they had not had many stolen passionate moments. It was hard to get a lot of time alone. She found him walking up from his cabin.

"We're close," she told him as she took his arm, "Now, Tortuga probably isn't anything like what you're used to. You'll probably want to stick close to me."

He grinned. "Aye, aye, Captain." He thought it was funny to use a pirate accent and refer to her as Captain instead of Isobel. She punched him in the arm playfully. He leaned down and kissed her softly. "Alright," he said, "I don't have a problem with staying close to you anyway."

She smiled and nuzzled her face against his arm. "I know," she murmured. She hoped that he would do well in Tortuga. She knew that it would probably be quite a shock to him.

In only a few hours, they docked in Tortuga. James was eager to find out what it was like. Immediately after they got off the ship, the smell of ale and strong whiskey caught his nose. The stench was overpowering. Men dueled in the streets, and passersby barely gave them a glance. Women were dressed more obscenely than he had ever seen in his life. He looked over at Isobel. She laughed softly. "You haven't seen the half of it yet."

His eyebrows climbed to the top of his head. "Have I not?" he replied somewhat absently trying to take in all of his surroundings. Then a rather pretty woman with a low cut red dress on that revealed much more of her bosom than was appropriate walked over toward him, her hips swaying tantalizingly.

"Hey there," she said grabbing him by his shirt, "Why don't you come with me, and I'll…"

She suddenly cut off, and her wide eyes regarded Isobel with… fear. Puzzled, James turned his attention to her. Isobel had freed her largest knife from its sheath at her belt and was brandishing it threateningly. Her teeth were bared, and she was looking daggers at the other woman. James was tempted to laugh, but he didn't want that knife to end up in his gut.

"You'll do nothing," Isobel growled, "Now leave before you regret walking over here." Unsurprisingly, the woman turned and almost ran in the other direction. After watching the woman scurry away with a hint of satisfaction on her face, she looked up at him. The look on her face was unmistakable. She did want to put that knife in him. Instead, though, she shoved it back into its sheath with a little more force than was necessary. After glaring at him a moment more, she sniffed and began to briskly walk away, not turning back to see if he would follow.

He rolled his eyes and went to catch up with her. "Hey, hey, hey," he said as he grabbed her arm and whirled her around to face him, "What was that for? I didn't invite the woman to come over."

"No," she grated, wrenching her arm from his grasp, "But you could have acted a little less delighted." He was about to reply but was cut off.

"Isobel!" came a man's voice from not far away, "Isobel, love!" A man- around Isobel's age, perhaps a year older- came strolling up to them. By the odd sway in his manner of walking and the empty rum bottle he held in his hand, he was definitely drunk. He had long black hair and a beard of the same color. "My dear, Isobel," he continued, "I haven't seen you in quite some time. Where…" Isobel slapped him hard across the face not waiting for him to finish.

After a moment, he shook his head. "I might have deserved that," he mumbled to James.

"You certainly did Jack Sparrow!" Isobel exclaimed in outraged tones, "Now kindly move out of our way." With an awkward bow the man stepped aside. (A/N: Thought it would be funny to have a little Jack cameo.)

"Who was that?" James asked when they were clear of the man. She turned her face up to him and gave him an unreadable look.

"His name is Jack Sparrow," she said after a moment, "I met him last time I was in Tortuga, and he was even less of a gentleman than you are." She smiled sweetly at him. "Which reminds me, you've yet to explain yourself for what you did back there." Her smile vanished, and she crossed her arms under her breasts. "Well?"

"I didn't do anything," he protested.

"I suppose looking that woman up and down right there in front of me was nothing." She stomped her foot on the ground with a growl. "You're infuriating!" If she hadn't been so angry, he might have laughed. Instead, he put his hands to his head and took a deep breath. He was infuriating?

"I'm sorry," he breathed, "I didn't mean to hurt you." He smiled down at her lovingly and pulled her into his arms. She did not try to pull herself out of his embrace, but she did not return it either. She just stood there, arms still crossed, looking up at him. He took one of his hands from around her waist and used it to put her hands on his chest. Then he pulled her against him. "Isobel, Isobel," he murmured as he planted small kisses on her cheeks and forehead, "You know you're the only woman I love." He didn't give her time to reply. He brought his lips down on hers passionately.

A few minutes later, he withdrew his lips, and Isobel rested her head on his chest with a sigh. "I hate it when you do that," she said with a small smile, "It makes me very angry."

He chuckled. "I know it does." He ran his hands over her hair, loving the way her silky tresses felt in his fingers. "I meant what I said."

She lifted her head and smiled widely. "I know," she said, "I love you too." She looked around and seemed to realize that they were standing in the middle of the street. She laughed softly and pulled out of his arms. "But we have to go. I need to find as many willing crewmen as I can before we have to meet Jon and the men back at the docks. Come on." She took his hand and began walking toward a tavern. "I know some men," she continued, "That I think might be here who may help us."

They walked into the tavern and the smell of alcohol almost knocked James down. Sailors drank, and he had had his fair share of rum, but this was surprising. Even Isobel wrinkled her nose in disgust. With a shake of her head, she led him over to a table where three rough looking men sat drinking and talking boisterously. "These are our men," she mumbled with a sigh. They looked older than him, probably in their forties. When Isobel reached their table, one of the men stood up.

"Well, well, men," he said in a slow drawling voice slurred with drink, "This is one of the prettier ladies I've seen here tonight. Come here, missy." Suddenly, one of Isobel's knives was in her hand, and she slammed it point down into the table between two of the man's fingers. The two other men who had been laughing loudly fell silent. James's eyebrows wanted to climb off the top of his head.

"I'm surprised you don't recognize me, Sam," she said, "I've met you once before and both of you too, Will and Tom. Also, I've been told that I bear a strong resemblance to my father, Captain Bryant." She pulled her knife free from where it stuck into the table, and with a grand flourish she made it disappear up her sleeve.

Recognition dawned slowly in the three men's eyes, and the one who had spoken- Sam?- looked abashed. "Isobel?" he said, "Isobel Bryant? Yes, I remember you. You are that fiery little slip of a girl that I met five years ago sailing with Captain Bryant and then again last year here in Tortuga." He dropped his gaze for a moment and then continued, "I'm sorry about your father. He was a good man. God rest his soul." He shook his head and took a swig of his rum. "Well have a seat. Your man there too."

Isobel pulled up a chair and motioned for James to do the same. "My father has a great deal to do with what I have come to talk to you three about," she said sadly. James placed a comforting hand on her leg as she continued. "This is James, by the way. He is going to help me, and I need your help too." The men eyed James skeptically, but he kept his eyes on Isobel. "Will you help me?"

Another one of the men spoke up this time. James thought she had addressed him as Tom. "Well, that depends, Isobel," he said, "What is it, and what's in it for us?" The other two men nodded their agreement.

Isobel sighed. "It will be dangerous. I am going after my father's murderer, Captain Blackeye. I go whether I have your help or not. As for what's in it for you, all of my crew will get an equal share of the treasure that he stole from my father, at least what's left of it, and whatever else Captain Blackeye and his crew have looted. The treasure means little to me. All I want is to see him dead."

The three men were silent for a moment, all looking down into their mugs. Finally, Will spoke up. "How do you know where to find him?"

Isobel grinned. "Not to long ago, I was chasing him, and I managed to find a place where I think he might be keeping his loot. Before I had a chance to go after him, my ship was attacked, and I was left for dead at sea." She turned to James with a fond smile. "That is when you saved me."

Sam shook his head. "I don't know, Isobel," he said slowly, "I want to help you, but…"

"But, what?" James cut in angrily, "She needs your help." He stood up and placed his hand on his sword hilt. "And I will do anything to see that she gets it." The three men had stood up and were reaching for their weapons, but Isobel stopped them from drawing them.

"There's no need for that, men," she said as she gently pried James fingers from the hilt of his sword. "Sit back down. You won't be forced into anything." She began trying to pull James back down into his chair, but he remained standing glaring at the men. "James? Please." Slowly, he let her pull him down. The other three men sat down too, but still glared at him. She squeezed James's hand in thanks and let it go. "Now," she continued after taking a deep breath, "Like I said you won't be forced into anything, but please, I need your help."

The men were silent for a long while. Finally, Tom looked up and said, "So we're sure to get a share in this treasure?" Isobel nodded. "Then I'm in."

Will and Sam nodded and said that they would help too. "When do we leave?" Sam asked.

"In the morning," Isobel replied with a small smile of relief. James could tell that she had been worried. "Early, so you might want to sleep on the ship. I'll take you to it whenever you're ready. I have six more men out looking for crewmembers. Will you ask around and see who else may help?" The men said that they would, and Isobel led James out of the tavern.

They went to a few more taverns that night, and by the time they needed to get back to the ship, they had got the help of six other men. Sam, Will, and Tom had gathered eight. With the 14 other men, they went back to the ship. Jon, his men, and a number of others were waiting for them.

"How many?" Isobel asked as Jon walked over to her.

"Eighteen all together, lass," he replied as he nodded greetings to the men who had come with them, "You?"

"Fourteen," she answered, giving him a pat on the shoulder, "That makes 32 all together. Thank you so much. I couldn't have done it without you."

Isobel stood by Jon as he was steering. She alternated from looking at her compass and squinting off at the horizon. The sun was setting; in a few minutes it would be dark. They had been sailing for four days, and she was eager to find Blackeye and be done with it. After she killed him, she could take James back to Ireland. He told her that he wanted to marry her first thing, and then start a family. It made her smile to think of that. She loved him, and there was nothing she would rather do than marry him. They would have a nice little house on the coast and a few children. It would be perfect.

With a start, she realized that she was daydreaming and turned to Jon. "It shouldn't be too long now," she said. She couldn't keep the excitement out of her voice. "Maybe three days." As she walked away from Jon, she couldn't keep from worrying. What if Blackeye wasn't at his lair? That would be her luck. Or worse, what if he overpowered her and her men? What if he killed her? What if he killed James? She shook her head angrily as she leaned over the railing to stare out into the deep blue water. No, she would not let that happen. He had killed her father; he would not take James from her. She slammed her fist down to punctuate the thought. He would not.

"You better be careful. You don't want to break the ship." James walked up beside her with a chuckle. Then he became serious. "What's wrong?" He put his arm around her waist and pulled her against him.

"I was just thinking," she replied, leaning into him. His presence comforted her. It was as if in his embrace nothing bad could happen to them. She knew it was silly to think that, but she didn't care.

"Worrying?" he asked as he kissed the top of her head.

She sighed. "Of course," she mumbled, "What else?" She didn't know how to keep from worrying. It was how she dealt with things.

"Don't worry," he said soothingly, "I'll take care of you. I promise." He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it repeatedly. She sighed again. It wasn't herself she was worried about. He tilted her head up and looked into her eyes. His brow was furrowed in puzzlement. "I will," he assured her.

"I know." She forced a smile and patted his chest. "Thank you. I feel better." He raised an eyebrow, and she knew that he didn't believe her, but he nodded anyway.

"How long?"

"Maybe three days." She shrugged. "I'm not sure." She couldn't suppress another small sigh. It was not long enough. She wanted more time with him.

He sighed too. "Four days." He shook his head. Isobel knew he was probably thinking the same things she was, but he took a deep breath and his face took on a determined look. "Well, we'll be ready." She smiled up at him, truly happy.

"You are one of a kind, James," she said, kissing his cheek, "Thank you for doing this for me. You'll never know how much I love you." He smiled down at her then kissed her lips softly.

As he pulled away, it really hit her that in three days all of this might be over. She had to make the best of the next days. With that thought she took his lips fiercely. He returned her kiss with just as much passion.

"What was that for?" he asked breathlessly when they were done.

"I… I don't know," she lied tracing her fingers along his cheeks, "I just know I love you. Kiss me again."

They stood there like that, kissing, for a while. The sun had disappeared below the horizon, and the moon was shining brightly above them, reflecting off the water. It set a very romantic mood. Suddenly he pulled away from her. She reached out to him in protest, but he held her at arms length.

"If you don't want this to go any further," he breathed huskily, "We have to stop now." She thought about what he was saying, about what was about to happen, but it didn't change her mind.

"I love you," she answered simply. She could feel her hands shaking now, and her lips trembled as she placed a kiss on his throat. "I don't want to stop."

He replied by kissing her again. She clung to him as if this was the last kiss they would ever share. Without even looking to see if anyone was watching, James lifted her up in his arms and carried her toward his room. She giggled in pleasure against his mouth and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She didn't care who saw them. Right then, the only thing that was real to Isobel was James. He groaned when he had to set her down to open the door of his cabin. He fumbled with door knob so awkwardly that she could not keep from laughing softly. He turned back to her and grinned then finally got the door open. She pulled him into the room as quickly as she could.

When he closed the door behind them, it was pitch black dark in the small cabin. James wasn't touching her, and she couldn't see him. She reached out for him in the darkness. "James?"

Suddenly a light appeared in the room. James had lit a candle. "So I can see you," he said with a small smile as he set the candle down on a small table. She met him half way across the room, and for a few moments they were locked in a passionate embrace. He kissed her on her lips and up and down her throat as his hands roved over her body tenderly.

To her pleasure and surprise, he gathered her up into his arms. He walked over to his bed and sat down with her on his lap. Then he kissed her. Their tongues entwining in the passionate dance she had come to long for. After a few moments, she broke the kiss to catch her breath. She grabbed his hand which had been resting on her hip and began slowly pulling it up. He knew what she wanted, and he reached the rest of the way up and caressed her breast. She whimpered and wrapped both of her arms tightly around his neck. He laid her down on the bed gently, and positioned himself to where he was leaning over her with one leg beside her thigh and the other between her legs. She pulled his face down and kissed him slowly. Then she began kissing up to his ear.

"Make love to me," she whispered passionately. He was happy to comply.

He rose up and for a moment just looked at her spread out in front of him. Her silky red ringlets were spread out over his pillow. Her breast was heaving with her panting breaths. He reached down and slowly, tantalizingly began unbuttoning her shirt. Now little sounds were escaping her mouth with every breath. Once he had the shirt totally unbuttoned, he lifted her up and pulled it off of her shoulders. She almost made an effort to cover herself shyly but quickly decided against it. He bent his head and kissed the smooth skin between her breasts. She sighed and tangled her fingers in his hair. He continued to kiss her breasts tenderly. Isobel's breathing was ragged. She had had no idea that he would be able to make her feel this way. He reached for the buttons of her breeches, but she batted his hands away.

"I believe," she panted as she slowly pulled out the tails of his shirt, "That you, my love, are over dressed." She slowly unbuttoned his shirt, kissing his chest softly as she did. She pulled it off all the way and eyed him hungrily. "That's much better," she murmured, and she ran her hands slowly over the muscles of his chest and torso. She explored him, kissing and licking and touching. He did have a divine body. With a mixture of fear and excitement, she reached down and stroked the bulge in his breeches.

"Lay down," he told her huskily. She reluctantly removed her hands and leaned back, pulling him down on top of her. She was in heaven. His lips found her mouth again, and she thought she could kiss him forever, but he had another target. He reached down and began to unbutton her breeches. He slowly slid them down her legs. She gasped when he caressed her there. She moaned loudly and lifted her hips to meet his touch better. He quickened the pace of his fingers, bringing her nearer to release, but when she was on the brink he withdrew his hand.

He stood slowly and reached for his buttons, but she pushed away his hands and shook her head. He stood by the bed in front of where she was sitting. She stroked up his thighs causing his breath to quicken. Slowly and shyly she reached for his buttons. Her hands were shaking, and he had to help her pull his breeches down. She wrapped her arms around his waist and began planting little kisses on his lower abdomen and thighs. Then she took his hands and began to lean back on the bed pulling him with her. He kneeled between her legs and placed her head on the pillow, making sure she was comfortable. He brought his lips down on hers and kissed her passionately, possessively. As he kissed her, he thrust. She cried out against his mouth at the pain of her virginity being taken and dug her fingernails into his shoulders. He whispered broken apologies, but she silenced him with a kiss. He moved his hips slowly at first so as not to hurt her more, but when her hips began to rise to meet his with each thrust, he quickened his pace. Aside from the first initial pain, this was the most pleasurable experience she had ever had. Soon she knew that she was not far from her climax. She began contracting more quickly around him. "Oh!" she cried out brokenly, "Oh James!" And then they went over the edge together. She buried her face in James's shoulder as she raked her nails down his back.

They lay there afterwards panting for breath in each others arms. She nuzzled against him and closed her eyes with a happy sigh. "Perfect," she murmured into his chest. He kissed her hair and lovingly stroked her side. Then he whispered that he loved her and always would, and she knew that she never wanted to leave his side.

Isobel stayed in his room the whole night. They alternated between making love and sleeping in each others arms. The next morning as she stood on the deck looking out at the water a feeling of sadness came over her. She could not suppress the feeling that something bad was going to happen.