And a Bottle of Rum

2

A/N: Just a reminder that this fic has a mature rating, folks!

Captain Alexandra Danvers tossed her tricorn onto a wall hook and then unbuckled her belt to lay it, with her sword, on the small bench at the foot of the bed. Then she went back to the door and double checked the lock. Sleeping soundly on Tortuga wasn't easy for a Navy officer, let alone the captain of one of the better-known ships in the Caribbean and she felt a lick of apprehension in her stomach as she grabbed a chair and stuck it under the door handle for good measure.

She finished undressing, slipped into a light shift and got into bed, setting her loaded flintlock pistol on the bedside table. "Well, Alex," she murmured. "You got yourself into this, you'll have to get yourself out."

Lying on her back with her fingers laced behind her head, her thoughts drifted to what she'd seen on the Devil's Cutlass. Firstly, the ship was spotless and the crew clean. Those with beards had them neatly trimmed and the others were clean shaven. Secondly, the crew hadn't been armed when she'd boarded, including Captain Zorel, who'd actually greeted her with a smile and a handshake. That was rare, even on ships that weren't suspected pirates. Mostly, she was greeted with wariness, if not outright hostility, and her attempt to maintain order in such situations had gained her the nickname she really hated. The Shark. She chuckled a little at that though. Deep down, she was as much a shark as the mouse she'd found stowed away in the galley some weeks back. However, that did not mean she was weak. Captain Danvers had a reputation for courage that was well known and respected among her peers.

For a moment, Alex allowed herself to think about Captain Zorel. The woman was tall, strong and beautiful with an air of power, yet gentleness that was both attractive and confusing… and those blue eyes that danced with mirth in the sun… Alex swallowed as she felt the stirrings of something deep down and she shoved the feelings away immediately, thinking instead of her fiancé, Captain Maxwell Lord of HMS Endeavor. But frankly, that didn't make her feel any better.

Alex sighed and closed her eyes. Marrying Max was what her father had agreed with Max's father since before she'd risen through the ranks to make captain. And now, at thirty-one years old, she couldn't push it off any longer. At this point, she was long a spinster and she'd promised her father that she would retire from the Navy and marry, as soon as she finished this last tour in the Caribbean.

But closing her eyes just brought Kara back to her mind and she sighed as those stirrings started again and her hand moved to her breast to slowly caress it. But she once again stopped herself and rolled onto her side, fighting back tears of frustration as she longed for a life, she knew she could never have. A life of freedom.

Xx

Kara groaned loudly, her body trembling under her lover's ministrations. "Lord GOD, Amily, you have NOT lost your touch," she whined as she caressed the woman's dark hair.

"I've missed you, Kara. You always taste so good," Amily replied from between the captain's thighs, before returning to her task, smoothing her tongue across the blonde's most sensitive spot over and over as she reached up under her shirt to play with her breasts. She pinched and rolled Kara's nipples and then sucked hard, sending the captain into waves of pleasure that made her shudder and grip the edges of the chair she was slouched in.

As the waves subsided, Kara exhaled hard and reached over to the table to grab her mug of ale and take a long swallow. Amily grinned up at her and laced up the pirate's leather breeches, patting her thighs as she slowly got to her feet and then sat in her lap. The young woman wrapped one arm around Kara's neck, tipped her tricorn back and placed a lingering kiss on her lips, making her smile gently. "You shouldn't do that," the blonde said softly. "Save your kisses for one you truly love."

"And what if that's you," Amily replied seriously.

"Then, I'm afraid you'll have to find another," the captain replied. "Because I cannot be the one for you."

"I know," the brunette sighed. "But a girl can always wish."

She got up then, smiling as Kara got up too and pressed three coins into her hand instead of the usual two. "Thank you, Amily."

Strolling out onto the street, Kara finished the ale in her mug and headed back toward the tavern to get another. She was no longer hungry, and she thought about taking the fresh mug to her tiny quarters above the bar and just sleeping in a normal bed. Then her inebriated thoughts shifted to a certain brown-eyed, brunette captain and she wondered where she was sleeping tonight… on her ship or in the same tavern… wondered if she slept in a shift or if she slept naked… wondered how her skin would taste covered in a light sheen of sweat as they…

Kara groaned aloud and stopped walking, then turned back toward the brothel, hoping Amily was still free and this time, Kara was the one who brought them both to earth-shattering climaxes, shoved hard against the door of the prostitute's bedroom. "I should be paying YOU for that," the young brunette murmured breathlessly into her ear. "But who's Alexandra?" Kara pressed one more coin into her hand, stroked her cheek with one fingertip and then headed out the door without a word.

Xx

Bright. It was waaay too bright when Kara stumbled out of the tavern the next morning. She stank of ale and sex and she headed toward the bath house, looking forward to a soak in one of the large tubs.

"Well, well," a voice sounded out and she paused a moment to slowly look back over her shoulder, wincing in the sunlight. "Bad night, Captain Zorel?"

The blonde turned to watch Captain Danvers push off the wall she was leaning against and stroll toward her. "On the contrary," Kara replied. "Best night in longer than I can remember. Huge steak dinner, more ale than was probably wise and…" She lowered her tone conspiratorially, holding up two fingers. "Two orgasms." She winked and then grinned as the brunette cleared her throat uncomfortably. "But I suppose you wouldn't know anything about THAT, Captain Danvers."

Danvers lifted an eyebrow. "And why do you assume that?" she asked.

Kara pointed at her hand. "Betrothal ring, not wedding ring… and unless I'm mistaken, ladies still aren't supposed to take men into their beds before marriage, even Navy captains."

Danvers bristled at that and stuck her hand into her pocket. "Then what does that make you?" she questioned angrily. "Hardly a lady if you had a man in your bed!"

But Kara just grinned again. "I did not say I was a lady nor did I say I had a MAN in my bed," she replied with a wink. "Now if you'll excuse me, Captain. I'm going to take a bath. Or feel free to join me if you wish to enjoy more of the view." She waggled her brows, then bowed with a flourish of her hand and continued walking, leaving Captain Danvers with eyes wide and mouth open.

The hot water was truly heavenly, and Kara took her time, washing every part of herself with sweet smelling soap and then ducking down to wash her hair thoroughly. Across the bath house, there were two women laundering her clothes and hanging them in front of the fire to dry. After a couple of hours, she was strolling back toward the tavern for some lunch.

"You clean up surprisingly well."

Kara grinned as she stopped and turned again. "Are you following me, Captain?" she asked good naturedly as she fisted her hands on her hips. "Is It because of my shapely behind? If there's something you want, you need only ask, you know."

"I want you to confess," Danvers replied but her tone was more conversational than commanding. Truth be told, she WAS too busy admiring the pirate captain to really pay attention to what she was saying.

"Confess to what, Alexandra?" Kara asked, her tone seductive now as she prowled closer to the smaller woman, impressed when she didn't back away but smirking as she watched the brunette's throat bob as she swallowed hard. Kara reached out to touch one of the brass buttons on Danvers' coat. "Oh… you mean confess to being a pirate? I'm afraid I cannot. As I said before, I am but a merchant." She backed away a few steps then and turned, looking back over her shoulder with a little smile. "Pudding, Alexandra."

Xx

Winn lifted a hand to his friend when she entered the tavern. She waved back and headed for him with a smile.

"Hair of the dog?" he asked, and she nodded gratefully as he waved a server over and she placed two fresh mugs of ale on the table. Kara took a deep swallow and then grinned.

"So, our good Captain Danvers has been following me around all morning. I think I'm getting under her skin."

"You? Never!" Winn feigned outrage that quickly turned into laughter. "Aside from your being the most annoying woman in the world, how else are you getting under her skin?"

Kara rolled her eyes and took another swallow. "I seem to fluster her," she replied with a shrug. "I made some comments earlier that sent her into a bit of a tizzy, it seems, and I angered her by pointing out her betrothal ring."

"Hmmm…" Winn mulled that over a tad. Then he straightened in his seat. "Uh… Kara."

Blue eyes lifted and the pirate smiled as she watched Danvers cross the room to her. "Back again, I see," she said with a chuckle. "Can I buy you a drink, Alexandra?"

To her surprise, the brunette huffed out a breath, took a seat at the table and nodded. "Actually, yes. And if you're going to call me by my Christian name, Kara, please call me Alex. I prefer it." Then she looked at Winn. "I don't believe we were properly introduced," she said, holding out her hand. "Alex Danvers."

"Winslow Schott Junior," Winn replied as he shook the Naval captain's hand tentatively. "Call me Winn."

"Ah, the son of the Cutlass's former captain, I presume?" Alex noted that Kara's face darkened at the mention and she wondered what more there was to the story.

The server placed a mug of ale in front of Alex, scowling at her, but the brunette just chuckled and took a good swallow. "Friendly bunch around here," she commented mildly. "Perhaps I should have changed clothes in my room before sitting with you."

"You have quarters here?" Kara asked, surprised but then not as she considered Captain Danvers' reputation. "I thought you would have been staying on your ship. Is not it safer?"

"Some may say that I have a death wish, staying in quarters on Tortuga but..." Alex shrugged. "I suppose I was just looking for a change of scenery. There is only so much one can take of staring at the same four cabin walls." She grinned then and it lit her eyes up, making her seem younger. "Besides, I have weapons."

"I'm rooming here too," Kara said. "Keep your enemies close, aye?"

Alex tilted her head. "Who said we are enemies, Kara?"

"Uh… the noose you want to see me swinging from?" the pirate replied, tone snippy.

Winn's eyes moved back and forth between the two women; eyebrows lifted.

"That makes us opponents, Kara, not necessarily enemies."

"Well, it certainly does not make us friends!" Kara exclaimed angrily, slamming her hand hard down on the table and making the mugs hop. She stood up and straightened her coat. "I need some air. Excuse me." The captain stalked out the door and Alex sighed, shaking her head.

"I pissed her off," she said mildly as she looked at Winn with a frown.

"Aye, you surely did," he chuckled. "Give her a few minutes. She'll be back. Besides..." He locked eyes with her. "She's not wrong. Maybe you should look a little deeper before you make judgement…" He stopped himself then and got up. "Time to find the head. I'll return shortly."

Alex's eyes lowered to her mug as she thought about the man's words and slowly took another swallow of ale, but she found herself pleased when Kara finally came back across the room and sat down, a sulky expression on her beautiful face. It was a mixture of adorable and insanely attractive, and Alex just tried to breathe through the stirrings, low in the pit of her stomach and points more southerly.

They didn't say anything to each other for a moment but then Alex lifted her eyes to meet stormy blue. "This doesn't give me any pleasure, Kara," she said. "But the law is the law and I have a job to do."

"Aye," the pirate acknowledged. "But sometimes things are not what they seem, Alex."

"Why did you take command of the Cutlass? You can't have been more than…"

"An adult in body but little more than a child," Kara admitted. Their eyes met and the pirate captain shrugged. "I tolerated Schott... often... but I finally killed him in self-defense."

Alex sucked in a breath and then frowned unhappily. "He… used you?"

"I was the only female on board so…" Kara shrugged again. "Bastard."

"Indeed," Alex growled, slamming her mug down on the table. The action brought a wondering smile to the blonde's face and she inched a little closer to the older woman as she reached out to touch her hand.

"It's alright, Alex," she said soothingly. "I took my revenge, but I am grateful for your anger on my behalf."

Alex blinked and then slowly withdrew her hand. "I simply would not wish that on any woman," she replied quietly.

There was quiet between them for a long moment and then Kara nodded. "I have to buy supplies this afternoon but have dinner with Winn and me tonight, I beg?"

"Kara…" Alex replied, beginning to shake her head.

"What harm, Alex?" the pirate prodded. "You still need to find the pudding," she teased. "Perhaps you will have more luck if I'm drunk?"

The Navy captain chuckled. "Perhaps you are right, Captain Zorel. I will meet you here for dinner at six bells. Agreed?"

"Agreed!" Kara replied with a little salute. Then she got up as she saw Winn waving to her from the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Captain Danvers. There is business I must attend to. Until six bells." She straightened her tricorn and headed out the door, leaving Alex to watch her go.

Xx

"Aye, usual stock is all here," the merchant said as he walked with Kara and Winn along a stretch of dock. "You're late though," he added. "Almost had a better offer."

Kara bristled and she stepped toward him, eyes staring through him. "You know what happens to those who cross the Devil's Cutlass," she growled as her dagger suddenly appeared in her hand. "Don't ever let me hear you say that again, Mr. Tillus."

Winn smirked as the man gulped and his balls shrank under her heady glare. "Forgive me, Captain Zorel. Of course not, I would NEVER sell your supplies elsewhere."

"I'm glad we have an understanding," Kara replied. "Show me everything. You will receive payment as always when my crew comes to bring the supplies out to my ship."

"Aye," Tillus nodded. "I will be here waiting."

Kara patted his bearded cheek. "Good man."

She walked with him further along the dock as he showed her the contents of the containers and she nodded her satisfaction. She and the crew would be fed for two months until they returned to Tortuga again, hopefully on time next time. "Mr. Schott," she said. "Please have the crew clean and stock the ship by tomorrow evening. We will be sailing the morning after."

Winn's eyebrows lifted. "We're staying a day extra on Tortuga?" he asked, surprised.

Kara nodded. "One more day of shore leave will do everyone some good," she replied and then with a farewell to the merchant, she strolled back along the dock toward the town, Winn on her heels.

"So," he said. "Captain Danvers. Not as bad as her reputation suggests."

"Mmm…" Kara mused. "I asked her to dinner with us tonight."

The first mate chuckled. "I see," he replied. "Just… take care, Kara. I can see she has turned your head."

But he winced when Kara stopped walking and glared at him. "Do you really think the woman, who wants my head in a noose, would turn it, Winslow?"

'Um…" Winn swallowed and fiddled with his hat. "Maybe not… if she actually wanted your head in a noose. She seems too half-hearted to really want that."

Kara's eyebrows lifted but she spared a moment to think about it. "Even still, half-hearted or no, she has a job to do and I think she'll do it. She's loyal to the Navy." Then she placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "Winn, promise me something," she said softly. "If the worst happens and I do swing, please, go to Lamanta and tell them what happened. I don't want them to think I abandoned them."

"They would never think that, Kara, but I do solemnly promise."

"Thank you, My Friend," the captain grinned, clapping him on the back. "Now, it's after five bells. Time to get cleaned up and meet my admirer for dinner."

Xx

Alex descended the stairs from the upstairs quarters to find Kara and Winn already seated at a table on the opposite side of the room near an open window. They had a mug of ale each in front of them and a third was sitting in front of the remaining empty chair so with a deep breath, the captain crossed the room and stood at the chair, offering the pirate and her first mate a smile. "You got a head start," she said.

To her surprise, Kara stood quickly and put a hand on the chair. "Welcome. Please, sit," she said with a smile of her own. Alex nodded and took the seat, her smile widening as Kara helped her to push it in and then sat back down. The Navy captain had forgone her full uniform, instead she was dressed in just her dark blue breeches and white shirt and her long, dark hair was free to fall over her shoulders. "You're off duty?"

"My first officer, Mr. Jones is taking care of business tonight," Alex replied. "I needed some time off."

"I understand that," Kara said with a nod. "The Cutlass will be here a day longer than I originally planned. My crew needs some time to fatten up a little. The last fortnight has been… challenging, to say the least." She leaned forward in her chair and rested her forearms on the table, wrapping her hands around her mug. "How long has it been since you've had shore leave?"

Alex had to truly think about that, and she pursed her lips as she shook her head. "Probably three or so months," she replied.

"And how long since you've seen your betrothed?" Winn asked.

The captain looked down at the ring on her finger, absently running her thumb over it. "Over a year," she said softly.

"It must be difficult for you, being apart," he added with a sympathetic smile, but Alex just huffed out a little laugh.

"You'd think," she muttered, but Kara caught the words and her eyebrows lifted.

"You… don't want to get married," she said slowly, a statement, not a question.

Alex blinked and then shook herself out of her melancholy. "What about you, Winn. Any sweetheart?"

Winn's eyes drifted to Kara for a moment and then he shook his head. "No, no sweetheart. But any port in a storm, correct?" he teased.

The captain laughed and nodded her agreement. "I suppose you're right," she said as she looked at Kara, whose eyes were fixed on the table. So she knows he's in love with her. Interesting. "So what's for dinner?" she asked, then picked up her ale and took a few swallows.

"Who knows," Kara said with a shrug. "But whatever it is, it tends to be very good. I know the cook and she's amazing."

"I see," the brunette replied as she leaned back in her chair and stretched her arms over her head, then let her hands sit loosely on her thighs. She was aware of Kara's eyes on her and the stirrings made themselves known again as she met the blue gaze and saw something in their depths that made her stomach flutter. But then the pirate blinked, and it was gone, replaced with their usual mirth.

"I hope you're not a vegetarian though," the blonde added. "There's always meat of some kind."

"Definitely not a vegetarian," Alex replied with a chuckle. "In fact, I've eaten a lot of rats during my years at sea."

"Rats?" Winn said with a grimace. "How would a Navy officer have to EVER eat rats?"

"Well, that's an interesting story," Alex laughed. She downed the last of her mug and signaled the server for more by holding up three fingers. "I had an… interesting… challenge trying to fit in with the men in my class during my year in the Naval Academy. I'd only left England a year prior and moving to the Carolina colony, and then right to the academy, threw me for a loop. Most of my classmates had been born and raised in the colonies so with my being a blow in, and a woman… one of only two in the whole fleet, I might add… I had to really show my mettle, so to speak."

Kara nodded, fully understanding what Alex was describing. "I'd wager."

"But it continued when I was crewed as an ensign on the Valiant and, unbeknownst to me, the cook took it upon himself to feed me rat when the men were having beef… which was often."

Kara snickered behind her hand as Alex grinned good naturedly. "Mean!"

"Indeed," the brunette agreed. But then her eyes danced with mirth. "When I found out, I got my revenge though. I found every rat I could and stayed up all night mixing them in with the beef and it wasn't until one of the crew found a tail in his stew that they even realized it. Remembering the look on his face makes me laugh to this day."

Winn laughed hard, smacking the table with his hand and Kara leaned back in her chair, drinking from her mug and then grinning widely. "Well played, Madam. Well played. The Shark at her best."

Alex's chuckles wound down then, and she shrugged. "I'm not even sure where that stupid nickname came from," she admitted.

"It was spread to strike terror into the hearts of all pirates who sail the Caribbean Sea," Winn teased. "But frankly, Alex, you're not so terrifying."

The captain slowly leaned forward in her chair, pinning him with intense brown eyes and making him suddenly feel nervous. "Oh, I'm not?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "You think I cannot make a grown man cry, Winslow?" Then she fake-lunged at him and slammed her hand down on the table, making him jump and Kara laugh heartily.

"Alright, alright! You ARE terrifying," the first mate replied, picking up his mug and hiding his blush behind it.

The pirate captain let her eyes meet Alex's and they gentled as a moment of camaraderie passed between them. But then she drew back as she realized that this woman was her opponent and that she had to be careful around her, despite her intense attraction to her.

But then the server arrived with their plates and they all three settled in to eat, sharing stories of their time at sea and laughing together… almost as if they were friends.