Once we threw our gifts at the troublemakers, we moved back in just enough time to hear a loud explosion that rocked the port. Splinters and dirt flew everywhere around us.

"That ought to do it Alice. Now let's see the damage we caused, shall we?"

We both looked over the edge of the roof to see lots of people running every which way, trying to flee the area. Fortunately, the only damage done was to the street, but I could see the last of two members of our problem run away from the tavern and back to the docks. Perfect!

"Excellent. Now, you wait here for a moment while I go down there and see if I can't find Robert."

I grabbed Latham's arm, before he turned away, "Robert was at the very front of the tavern when he got shot. So if you don't see him right away, then come back. Just if he's not there or they come back. And be careful." Latham simply nodded and made his way down to the tavern.

Patrons of the tavern started running out of the tavern, while Latham ran in. He was only in for a few minutes, but it felt like forever before he came back out. He motioned for me to come down and met me at the back of the building, and not with good news.

"He was not there, but there was blood on the floor where you said he had been. I'm sorry we can't do anything more for him, but I don't think he's alive. Now we need to find a way to make our way safely down to the docks and toward the ship. I need to find the Captain, now!"

Black and I hadn't got too close to the trouble when Black moved into the shadows taking the wounded whelp with him. Coming down the street and running past me, were two men looking like they had just been shot out of hell's cannon. Being half on fire, I figured they must have just survived the explosion. Not that it mattered after shots from a dark corner took them out.

I turned around to see Black come out of the shadows, two flint locks still smoking.

"Did these two help burn your ship Black?"

Black walked up to one of the dead men and kicked his head hard before spitting on his corpse.

"Yeah, this is the one that shot me right off my ship. Not that he'll be doin' any shootin' now."

While we continued our walk towards what I now realized was the tavern, I wondered what this was all about and how an explosion could take place at a tavern of all places.

"CAPTAIN!"

Looking up to the sound of an extremely load voice coming over the crowd, a largely built red-headed man came running through the streets at top speed, pulling something behind him.

Black looked relieved to see the man, whoever he was. "Latham, will you pipe it down? I hear ya already! You got her with ya?"

Low and behold running behind him was the lovely Lady in blue, trailing behind him trying to keep up. Black held out his arm, when the Lady ran to him, and swept her up into a hug big enough to break a bear. He finally put her down and looked her in the face, worry written all over his own face.

"You have no idea how glad I am to see you. We need to have a talk, Ally."

She nodded and looked briefly back at her companion before beginning. " I went to the tavern with Latham and while he was away in the privy, I heard a shot and when I looked over to see what it was, I saw Robert Lambert lying on the floor and a big ugly man was aiming a smoking gun at him. So I left to get help and I found Latham, but when we came back to find him…"

"He was here with you."

The Lady looked past Black at the whelp on the ground, still bleeding from the shoulder. She moved toward him and began gently tending to his wound.
"I'm so very sorry, Miss. Kingsley. I'm just so sorry." The whelp had a look of shame on his face when he looked at Lady.
"What are you talking about? Robert, why did that horrid man in the tavern shoot you?"

"We can get to the bottom of that problem later. Right now Alleycat, you're in some trouble. Those ugly, little runt like bilge rats that attacked us are lookin' for you and they can't find you." With that the First Mate gently pushed the Lady between himself and the shadows while Black pulled the whelp up to his feet.

"Alright Black, bring what's left of your crew to The Troubadour and then we'll see about your ship and crew." Black looked up and tipped his head to me.

"I'm grateful Captain. Oh yeah, Alice this is Captain Teague. Captain this is Alice Kingsley, she's the youngest member of my crew and now the one in the most danger."
She looked at me with a small smile and a gentle nod of her head. "Captain Teague, I'm very happy to finally be formally introduced."

"Lady Kingsley, it's a joy to finally know your name. Shall we get moving now?

A look of worry crossed her face, for a moment, before her smile returned and she nodded. Black just looked confused.

"Wait, you two know each other? No, wait, never mind. Tell me about it later. We need to get moving." Black took Miss. Kingsley by the hand as I led them back to the ship. It was more of a stealthy run than a walk as we surrounded Miss. Kingsley and the whelp between us. As we finally reached the ship the whelp suddenly pulled on Black.

"Captain, that's Thomas up the road there! He can't see her!" Black looked up the road where the whelp was pointing while pushing the Lady up the plank and the shaking whelp behind her. That Thomas fellow was making his way up the docks and towards another ship and while it didn't look like he saw us, I still thought it a good idea to post more look out on the ship.

"Geller, keep a watch out, we may have trouble tonight."

A/N: I just want to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, favored and followed my story. It means a lot to me. So thanks again ; )