And a Bottle of Rum

7

A/N: My Darlings, I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update this. I was stuck with where I wanted to go with it. But I have a plan now so please bear with me while I write the next chapter or two to bring us an ending!

Admiral Danvers had allowed his daughter to leave with the pirates, for one reason. He wanted to make her pay for her disobedience, so he decided to bring her in for trial alongside the woman with whom she'd allied herself.

Although, if he was honest with himself, he could have had them rounded up in Port Royal, but he relished the thrill of the chase and he wanted to chase them. Oh, how he wanted it.

Oh, how he wanted to watch his daughter swing side-by-side with the pirate she loved... that abomination against God. Better Alexandra be dead than unnatural!

Jeremiah didn't love his daughter. In fact, she wasn't his daughter at all but merely a child his wife had given birth to after a torrid affair with another Naval officer. He had forgiven her and vowed to raise the child, but he could never bring himself to truly care for Alexandra… had never been proud of her for her achievements and had used them only for his own gain.

"Weigh anchor," he said quietly to his first office. "Follow them."

"Follow them, aye, Sir," Captain Graves replied.

From his position at the bridge deck rail, he could see the Devil's Cutlass in the far distance, and he smiled grimly as the sailors around him moved with a purpose born of training... and of fear.

Xx

"That's impressive," Kara chuckled as she walked to the target and pulled her dagger from the dead center.

Alex grinned proudly. "Thanks. I appreciate the friendly competition. You did extremely well yourself, Captain."

"Mmmm... thank you," the blonde replied wrapping her arms around her lover and kissing her neck. "I really want you right now. Who would have thought that knife throwing was so arousing?"

Alex's hands wandered down Kara's back. "I'd suggest we go to our cabin but..."

The pirate laughed softly. "I know. We really should lead by example." She released her lover and looked up at the mizen mast that was now standing straight and proud, held aloft by a custom-forged metal frame at its base. "You and Winn did a good job of getting the mast back up."

"Difficult, indeed," Alex shrugged "But the men certainly put their backs into it. Winn and I can take only minimal praise in the area of organization."

They smiled at each other and then strolled along the main deck, toward the bridge. Kara called instructions out as she walked, and Alex once again marveled at the captain's attention to detail. "So have Winn and his beloved come clean yet?" she asked.

"Not yet," Kara replied with a shrug. "I'm unsure of what's stopping them. I can't tell if it's Sue's fear or Winn's."

"Why would Sue be afraid to tell you?" the brunette asked with a frown.

"Oh... well..." Kara scratched her chin sheepishly and looked up to watch a seagull fly overhead. "She and I... we were... um... intimate."

Alex crossed her arms with a raised eyebrow. "I see. And you were going to tell me this… when exactly?"

"It was a long time ago, Alex. Ages!" the captain protested. "We were just having fun since we were the only two women on board!"

"I see," Alex said again but her shoulders lowered, and she chuckled softly. "I apologize. I just don't like the thought of your having another lover onboard."

"She's not my lover," Kara replied softly, taking Alex's hand and kissing it tenderly. "I promise."

But a cry from above them caught their attention. "Captain!" It was the lookout and he waved as she looked up at him. "Ship ahoy! Far to stern!"

Kara pulled her telescope out of her inside coat pocket and extended it as Winn joined them, already peering through his own. "Navy," she said succinctly, passing the device to Alex.

The brunette gazed through the telescope and then shut it with a little growl. "It's the Dauntless… my father's ship. I can tell by the flag. Admirals always fly a special flag since theirs is always considered the flagship in the area."

"Well," Kara shrugged. "We knew he'd more than likely come after us."

"We can't outrun him though," the brunette said worriedly.

"Oh, I wouldn't worry about that," Winn chuckled. "We know a place to hide out."

Alex lifted an eyebrow. "Really? Out here?"

"How do you think we eluded the Navy for so long… including you?" the captain said with a smirk. "Lord stumbled across us totally by accident the first time."

The older woman chuckled. "Well, I'm intrigued."

"I'll plot a course, Captain," Winn said.

"Thanks," Kara replied but, as he turned to leave, she caught him by the arm. "You and Sue," she said gently. "Congratulations."

Winn's eyes widened and then blinked. "Did she tell you?" he asked.

"No, but I'm a person with eyes," Kara replied with a grin. "I have a feeling I'd be in my dotage before you'd muster the courage to tell me, so I just decided to say something." She kissed his cheek, making him blush. "I'll marry you if you want?"

The man squeaked in a somewhat undignified fashion as his brain refused to engage and Alex stifled a laugh behind her hand. "You'll marry me? But..." His eyes moved to his lover, who was watching them from across the deck with raised eyebrows.

Kara burst into laughter. "Not you and me, Winslow, you and Sue!" she exclaimed. "I'm the Captain and it's within my duty to perform the ceremony. All you must do is ask her."

"I'll... I'll think about it," the man replied, somewhat shell-shocked. "Lord," he added, pulling out his 'kerchief and wiping his brow. Then he walked away, muttering to himself about people, who enjoyed scaring the good sense out of him, not being nice.

"Poor Winn," Alex said with a laugh. "I think you scarred him for life."

"Because he thought I was saying I'd marry him?" The captain wrapped her arms around her lover's waist again and pulled her close. "Would marrying me be so bad?"

Alex drummed her fingers against her cheek playfully. "Hmmm... well... you DO snore so..."

Kara's eyes widened indignantly. "I do NOT snore, Madam!"

"I'm joking," the brunette soothed. "And marrying you, My Love, would be the most wonderful thing in the world, if it was possible."

"Good,' Kara replied gently. "Because I feel the same way about you."

Xx

"Prepare to lower the anchor!" Captain Zorel yelled as they rounded the island of Lamanta. Within a few minutes, they'd entered the large cave that offered them both safety and solitude. The entrance was camouflaged enough to where no one could see it from afar, unless they knew it was there and what to look for.

"Impressive," Alex murmured as the crew took down the sails and the Cutlass coasted inside. "Drop anchor!" Kara yelled. The anchor and its huge chain were released and sank quickly to drag the bottom and bring the ship to a sudden stop, making Alex grab at the deck rail to steady herself. "Whoa!" She looked all around the cave. "This is incredible! I had no idea it was here."

"You've been to Lamanta before?" the pirate asked.

"Yes, a few times. Chasing pirates. Seems like we just kept missing each other." She grinned and shook her head. "Imagine if you and I had met while the Cutlass WAS full of contraband."

"You still would have fallen in love with me," Kara teased. "I'm irresistible."

Alex's grin just widened as she acknowledged to herself that Kara was probably right. "Cocky." She watched then as the men went around dousing any lit lamps, plunging the cave into almost darkness. Just the waning daylight from outside provided enough light to see by. "What now, Captain?"

"There's a spot just outside the cave entrance that's secluded enough for one man to watch out of sight of Dauntless," Kara explained. "Once she goes by, we can go on our way."

"But they'll come back as soon as they realize they've lost us," Alex pointed out.

"Probably," the pirate agreed. "But we'll go back the way we came and then change course away from the island. It's unlikely they'll find us."

"Fine," the brunette nodded. "But, Kara, be aware… I know my father's ship has incendiary cannon balls and, if they find us in here, it's going to be a very short battle."

"I know," Kara nodded. Then she leaned on the deck rail. "I must ask, Love, if your father finds us and we do engage Dauntless in battle… how will you feel?"

Alex looked away and leaned on the deck rail herself. "That no longer matters. My father has made it clear that he has no regard for my life. He will not distinguish between us when push comes to shove. I will either die on this ship or swing by your side."

"Alex," the blonde said, her voice a bare whisper. "You could get away. I would understand…"

But the older woman smiled and cupped her lover's cheeks. "When I die, I would rather it be by your side… no matter how."

The pirate nodded. "Agreed. No matter how."

They heard the splashing of oars and parted to watch the small rowboat carry Kara's most trusted lookout to the spot from where he would watch Dauntless' approach.

"Marry me?" Alex suddenly said, turning her head to look at her lover again.

Kara turned in surprise, tilting her head. "For-forgive me… what did you say?"

"Please… Kara… Seriously… Marry me?"

The pirate's eyes widened. "I would love nothing more but… My Love, we cannot."

"It doesn't have to be in front of a clergyman or a magistrate, Kara. Winn can do it… I just… if I'm going to die now… or even in a hundred years, I want to be bonded to you when I do. I want to make vows with you."

For a long moment, Kara just searched Alex's brown eyes. The love and sincerity she found there almost made her cry and she nodded as she took her love's hand and kissed her knuckles. "Yes, Alexandra Danvers. I will marry you."

Xx

It was the middle of the night and pitch black in the cave. Winn strolled along the deck, using the rail as a guide, and peered toward the cave's mouth to see if there was any sign of movement. Susan came silently up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder, making him jump and hiss out in fright as he spun with his fists raised. "Lord God in heaven!" he murmured. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack, Madam?!"

Susan slid her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "No… I'm actually trying to seduce you."

"But…" Winn chuckled softly as he held her in return. "I'm on duty and you should be sleeping."

"I couldn't sleep," Susan replied with a smile. "Not without you. Kara and Alex get to sleep together. I want that for us too."

"Then marry me," the man said.

"Winn, you know my answer."

Winn shook his head. "But why cannot you marry me, Susie? I cannot in good conscience take you to bed every night without us being married."

"You're so old-fashioned," the Latina replied. "We're pirates. We do not live within the conventions of… society." She almost spat the word out. "Kara and Alex…"

"Are both women," the first mate interjected. "They cannot get married despite their love for each other. I love you, Susie. I want you to be my wife."

Vasquez shook her head and walked away. "I cannot."

Winn sighed and turned back toward the mouth of the cave as he leaned on the deck rail, but he straightened again as he saw a light being frantically waved from the rowboat as it quickly returned to the ship.

Xx

Alex was sprawled across Kara's chest, both deeply asleep, when the heavy knocks started on their cabin door. The blonde pirate groaned and, forgoing getting up, just pulled a sheet up to cover their nakedness and called out as the brunette sighed and lifted her head. "Enter!"

Winn stuck his head through the doorway and then blanched as he saw the situation. He averted his eyes and cleared his throat softly. "Uh… William has returned and reported that Dauntless has fully passed us by. We're about to weigh anchor and get out of here."

"Good,' Alex replied. "Prepare to set full…" But she stopped suddenly and blinked, looking at Kara. "Apologies, Captain."

The pirate chuckled. "What were you about to say?"

"I was going to say to set full sail once we've cleared the cave mouth and then run dark," the brunette sheepishly replied. "Forgive me."

Winn smiled as Kara looked back at him and nodded. "Aye aye, Captain," he said and then ducked back out, closing the door behind him.

Alex buried her face in her lover's neck. "Sorry, Kara."

But the captain shook her head and, using two fingers under her chin, raised Alex's eyes to meet hers. "Captain Danvers," she replied softly. "Do not you know that I'm aware of the experience you bring to this ship?"

Alex blinked.

"You were a Naval officer for many years. I do not intend to let that knowledge and skill go to waste. Winn and I trust you and will listen to your opinions… but only if you offer them."

"You want me to offer…" Alex trailed off and Kara kissed her lovingly.

"I want to hear your opinion and advice, my Love, just as I want to hear Winn's. I have great respect for you, and I will always consider what you say before making a decision." The brunette was a little shell-shocked and she just nodded in reply, making Kara chuckle. "Shocked into silence. A first methinks."

But Alex just smiled seductively. "I can think of a better thing to do with my mouth right now than speaking."

The blonde opened her mouth to say something and then closed it again, teeth clicking together audibly as her lover laid a slow trail of kisses down her chest. Her breath stuttered as Alex's mouth closed around her breast and she ran her fingertips down her lover's spine, making her shiver a little and lift her head to grin. Then Alex went back to her task, lavishing attention on one breast while bringing the other to a hard peak with pinching fingertips.

Kara groaned softly and closed her eyes, letting her hands tangle loosely into her lover's hair as Alex kissed her way down to the pirate's parted thighs. Then a long… torturously… slow… lick through her folds made Kara's breathing catch and her fingers tighten. "Fuuuuuuuck," she got out breathlessly, making Alex lift her head and raise an eyebrow. She'd never heard such a profanity from her lover's lips before and yet, it did nothing but heighten her arousal as she lowered her mouth and traced Kara's clitoris with the tip of her tongue. But Alex wanted to hear it again, so she shifted her position and pushed three fingers deep inside the trembling pirate as she spread her own wetness across the skin of Kara's thigh.

And hear it again she did…

Xx

Kara strode along the deck, a broad smile lighting her face as she leapt up to grab the rigging and then climbed up into the crow's nest to clap her best lookout on the back.

"How goes it, Will?" she asked as she put her telescope to her eyes and slowly turned three-hundred-and-sixty degrees to take in the view around her.

"Fair winds and following seas, Captain," the man grinned. "No sign of Dauntless."

"Not to jinx us," Kara replied with a chuckle, knocking her knuckles against the wooden mast. "But I think we may have slipped her sights. I'm sure Admiral Danvers is feeling more than a small amount of frustration."

"Captain Zorel!" Alex called from below, shielding her eyes from the sun. "Anything?"

"No! No sign!" Kara called back. She was just about to limbo under the crow's nest's railing when Will suddenly put a hand on her shoulder.

"Captain, wait," he said with a frown. He shielded his own eyes from the sun and squinted. "Is that… smoke?"

Kara pulled out her telescope again and put it to her eye. Then she gasped a breath in and shook her head. "Oh my God… Lamanta… the village…" She leapt out of the crow's nest and slid down the rigging, yelling at the top of her lungs as she hit the deck with a little bounce. "Come about! Full sail back to Lamanta!"

Alex grabbed her arm as she tried to run by. "Kara... what is it?"

Tears were already filling the frightened blue orbs that gazed back at her. "Alex…" the captain got out hoarsely. "I think the village is on fire. What if your father…"

"Oh my God," the brunette whispered. "Do you think he landed on the island and…?"

"I think he's burning the place out looking for us."

Alex just closed her eyes and shook her head. "Fuck."

Xx

Kara was restlessly pacing. They were still thirty minutes out from Lamanta, and she felt helpless as a kitten to do anything more. They'd spent the previous hour getting everyone armed and getting the cannons fully unstowed and ready for a fight, should it come to that.

Kara's hand was opening and closing restlessly on the hilt of her cutlass, and her pistol, tucked into her belt, was already loaded and ready for its shot.

Alex came up behind her and put a hand between her lover's shoulder blades, but Kara shied away and shook her head, turning to gaze at her with icy, blue eyes. "If your father has killed any of my friends, I will put a bullet between his eyes. I care not who he is." It was almost a challenge and Alex squared her shoulders as she gazed straight back, her face grim.

"If my father has killed any of those people, I will put the bullet there myself."

Kara released a half-groan-half-sob and leaned heavily on the deck rail as her knees faltered. "This is my fault. I led him to them."

Onlookers be damned, Alex held the blonde at her biceps and shook her head. "This is no one's fault but my father's, Captain Zorel. He may have started this, but WE will end it, one way or another."

And Kara suddenly saw how Alex had earned The Shark as her nickname. There was no love or emotion in the brown pools of her eyes. Instead, there was only darkness, anger and calculated resolve.

And it scared Kara just the tiniest bit.

"Yes, Captain Danvers."

"Now," Alex went on. "What are your orders, Sir?"

Winn had joined them, and he waited quietly while Kara gathered her thoughts.

"I want to maintain the element of surprise. We know that Dauntless is on this side of the island so let's skirt around and come ashore on the west side." She looked at her lover. "Captain Danvers, what would Dauntless' compliment be?"

"Probably fifty men," Alex replied. "The ship would not be able to sustain more than that comfortably."

Kara paused a moment to look at the brunette, but her eyes were still cool and focused. "Fine. We're outgunned almost two-to-one but not outmatched. Hopefully we can take some of them out quietly without alerting the others. Have everyone start with slitting throats before firing pistols."

"Aye, Captain," Winn agreed. He turned to leave but Kara stopped him with a hand on his arm. "I need you to do something for me," she added. She glanced at Alex. "For us."

"Name it, Kara," the first mate replied.

"Can you marry Alex and I before we get to Lamanta? I am NOT dying without making a vow to her."

Alex took a shuddering breath and her eyes finally gentled, bringing back the woman that Kara knew and loved. She took the pirate's hand and laced their fingers together, nodding at Winn. "Please."

"Of course," the first mate replied with a smile. "Come with me."

Xx

The crew of the Cutlass were all gathered on the main deck, near the bridge. In front of them, Alex and Kara were standing, facing each other with hands joined as Winn flipped through a bible. He found the verses he was looking for and then smiled, raising his voice so everyone could hear.

"We are here to celebrate the vows these women wish to make to each other. They are love personified and deserve to be together before God, just as any other couple does." He looked down at the bible, letting his fingers run under the words he had chosen. "These verses are from Corinthians 13… Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Kara squeezed Alex's hands as the brunette smiled so lovingly at her that she could barely draw breath. Winn stepped closer to them and put their hands on the bible and then his hand on top of theirs.

"Make your vows," he said softly, looking at Kara first.

The pirate cleared her throat and took a deep breath. "Alex, I'm yours, in sickness and in health, in love and in battle. Forever, My Love."

Alex nodded, eyes joyfully tearful. "Kara, I'm yours, I have been since the moment I met you. I love you, no matter what. Forever, My Love."

Winn nodded happily and looked to his best friend again.

"Kara Isabella Zorel, do you wish to be bonded to Alexandra Elizabeth Danvers for the rest of your lives?"

"I do," Kara replied. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a ring. "This was my mother's ring, and I want it to be yours now." She slid it onto Alex's finger, marveling at the fact that it fit her perfectly. "I love you so much, Alex."

Winn then looked to the brunette, who was smiling so widely that it melted his heart.

"Alexandra Elizabeth Danvers, do you wish to be bonded to Kara Isabella Zorel for the rest of your lives?" Knowing that Alex didn't have a ring for Kara, he pulled his own signet ring off his little finger and passed it to her. She sucked in a breath and shook her head.

"Winn…"

"Take it," he said. "Please…"

Kara's eyes overflowed with tears. She knew how much that ring meant to her best friend. Alex nodded gratefully and slid the ring onto the pirate's finger. "Most definitely," she said. "For eternity and maybe even longer."

A round of chuckles went around the congregation and Winn grinned like the Cheshire Cat. "Well then, by the power vested in me by Alex and Kara here, I pronounce you both… whatever! You may kiss the bride!"

Alex and Kara crushed against each other, sharing a kiss that left them both breathless as the crew shouted congratulations and stomped their feet hard on the wooden-planked deck. Alex looked down at the ring on her finger and sucked in a breath at its beauty. "Are you sure you want me to have this?" she said, looking deeply into Kara's eyes.

"It's been sitting in a box for twenty years," the pirate replied. "My mother would have wanted me to give it to you. She was a great believer that love is love, no matter what, and she taught that to me."

"Maybe she was…like us?"

Kara smiled and nodded. "Maybe she was. We'll never know for sure."

"I wish I could take you to bed," the brunette said. "But we have more pressing matters to take care of."

"After this is all over, Alex, I'm taking you somewhere for a honeymoon you'll never forget." The pirate grinned. "I swear."

"I'll hold you to that," Alex nodded with a matching grin. "I swear."

And Kara's grin just broadened.

A/N: It was a weird moment for me trying to decide whether to bring the word "Fuck" into this fic. Even though it's one of my FAVORITE words, as you probably know, I wasn't sure it belonged (even though I ALSO know I've taken liberties with the language of the time).

However, I did some research, and the word actually has origins all the way back into the sixteenth century. It originally was a legitimate word, and it wasn't until the mid-eighteenth century that it was used as profanity. Since this fic is set in the late eighteenth century, it kinda fits. Anyway, just a little bit of background. Hope you enjoyed its use! I certainly enjoyed writing it! HAHA!