Yay! I have fifty reviews! And by the way, you know how I said I was going to send an e-card to the person who was the 5oth reviewer, well the 50th reviewer was an anonymous, so I would like to thank, Aqualoco for being the 50th reviewer! Yet another e-card will go out to the 60th reviewer, so please, I want this more than anything!

The wind and rain had been blowing non-stop for over three days. Much to my dis-may, the weather conditions had made it impossible to move on-ward in our journey. The ship had stayed in the same spot, waves and rain mingling in to one salty wetness that seemed to forever haunt me. All I wanted to do was get off that bloody ship!

I had tried twice more to apologize to Harrison, but each time he just coldly dismissed me before I had even spoken. Now I was going to give up. Sure I felt ashamed, but I had screwed things up and now I couldn't fix them. Maybe this was what they call 'learning from your mistakes'.

Every single piece of clothing I owned, or at least the things I had brought with me, was absolutely soaked. I had tried washing them, and hanging them on a piece of twine spanning from one side of my room to the other to dry, but everything on this bloody ship was wet. Drips falling from the ceiling, cracks in the walls letting in a humid mist, all the water pooling on the floor on my room and making soft splashing noises whenever I walked through it. This whole storm was driving me crazy! My hair was wet all the time. Damp ringlets pressed up against my face. My fingertips were eternally pruned and my boots full of water. But that wasn't the worst part. There was also the fear. The fear that at any second we were going to flip over and die. The fear of drowning. With every groan of the old ship, or extreme tilt, my heart began to race and I had to re-assure myself that everything was ok.

I, Briar Paisley Brinker Sparrow, Was a miserable wreak.

xXx

I mounted the final step of the stairwell that led above deck, bracing myself for the torrents of rain I was about to encounter. The deck looked just as it had the last few days. Men were running in absolute chaos, using all of their strength to keep the boat braced against the storm. All of the crews shirts were pressed to their skin with the wetness. The entirety of the world was just one big scene of water. The sky was all dark grey clouds, speckled with the pouring rain and looking like a dirty wall.

For some reason, the whole scene was very re-assuring to me. Seeing every one put their life on the line and use what little strength for the good of everyone. Teamwork. Were I come from teamwork was a foreign concept. The closest thing anyone got to teamwork was two people ganging up on some one to mug or rape them. Right here in front of me, everyone was helping everyone. Working together for the good of a whole, not for someone elses misfortune. Even though the pirates were exhausted, they all did their part in the work. It was the most noble thing I had ever seen in all fifteen years of my life. Sure the people were dirty, thieving, cheating pirates, but still.

I spotted Harrison about five feet away. He was having extreme trouble keeping the rope from the mast from flying off in to the storm and throwing us all to our death.

His ever open shirt was billowing in the fierce wind, looking like small sails. He was absolutely soaked, causing the white shirt to become an almost translucent white, showing his rippling muscles. Her chestnut hair was sopping wet and plastered to his bronzed face. His hands were raw and red with cuts and rope burns. Whether it was rain, seawater or sweat I don't know, but liquid was dripping profusely down his face.

Just looking at him made my insides begin to waltz. I didn't realize that I was holding my breath until a dangerously close blast of lightening broke my trance.

I wanted so badly to walk over to him, take his hands in mine, and tell him how I felt, Tell him I was sorry, tell him I loved him. I could never do this for two reasons.

1: this would mean he would have to leg go of the rope, which would also loose the sails which would send us all careening to a watery death and 2 : he had made it quite clear that he pretty much hated me.

I had been so stupid. So thoughtless. If we had switched places and I was the one who's heart had been broken, I probably would hate Harrison with a passion. Maybe I should just back of. . . NO no no! Harrison had told me how he felt. Told me that he loved me. Somewhere deep down he still felt that way. Even if his love was buried by layers and layers of hate.

Still, I had to give it a try.

Slowly, my heart pounding in my chest I took a small step through the pandemonium. My boots made a soft thump on the water swollen wood. My stupid hat was doing little to keep the rain from pelting my face. I faltered in my step.

Why was it so hard to talk to him!?

Other than the fact that I had totally ripped him to shreds and he hated me and had told me to back off twice, we were good, right?

Finally I took a deep breath and walked purposefully, my head held high, toward the man of my dreams.

I stopped short about a yard away. He didn't see me, as he was using all of his gorgeous strength and attention on keeping the mast in the air.

I saw the rope slip and a large raw patch appear on his palm. All the skin was ripped away and he began to bleed. I saw Harrison's face contort in to one of extreme agony and pain. My soul ached for him.

I rushed forward, grabbing the rope and beginning to help pull. It was a long and grueling process and I was surprised that Harrison was able to hang in there for so long. Finally we got the rope over to the peg where it had been previously fastened. Harrison held on to the rope whilst I tied it firmly to the peg. After Harrison had strengthened my knot, we both straightened up.

Harrison gave me a glare that hurt even tough old Briar.

"What do you want?" he snarled at me. His eyes were cold, like slabs of stone and his face showed no expression. All traces of the loving Harrison that had found me in my quarters was gone.

I place one hand on my waist.

"Oh, really! No need to thank me it was nothing!"

His face still held about as much emotion as a broom.

"Cut the sarcasm Briar! What do you want!?" said Harrison in a tone between a yell and a normal voice.

"I want to know why you refuse to speak to me!" I screamed, losing my temper.

"I'm talking to you right now!" said Harrison, now fully yelling.

By now, much to my chagrin, we had, even over the noise of the storm, captured the attention of the entire crew.

Harrison and I both fell silent, there was a long awkward moment in which neither of us would look each other in the eye. Finally I spoke.

"You really better get that cleaned up," I motioned to his hand which looked like it was causing him extreme pain.

Harrison looked hesitant.

I rolled my eyes.

"Harrison, feel free to hate me, but come on! Grow up! Are you going to let your hand get infected just so you can continue ignoring me?"

Harrison thought for a while before muttering an "Alright".

I led the way below deck, grinning in side. Maybe if I could get Harrison alone, he would listed better, maybe not.

Either way, it was worth a shot.

I led the way to Jacks office, opening the door in a flourish for Harrison.

I moved quickly over to Jacks dresser, pulling out the cleanest shirt I could find.

Holding it up to the dim light, I looked for a fray or small tear in the seam. This was not hard to do.

With a magnificent sound the shirt totally ripped in two. I ripped it again, tearing a large strip out of the middle before placing the mauled shirt back in the drawer for Daddy Dearest to find later.

I turned to an open mouthed, wide eyed Harrison.

I smiled a bit.

"Jack will get over it. Anyway, I doubt he's changed his clothes in years"

My stomach did a back flip when the faintest trace of a smile flitted over Harrison's face. The smile was quickly replaced with its former grim expression, giving me a stab in my gut.

I sat down in one of the chairs leaning up against the wall, motioning for Harrison to do the same.

I grabbed musty glass bottle of water and a rag and began washing the dirt away from Harrison's wound I felt a stab in my stomach each time he flinched in pain.

Finally the cut was clean, leaving only for me to bandage it.

I took his hand in mine. It was rough and calloused. Taking the rag, I began wrapping it slowly around and around until there was only a little left. I tied the remaining cloth in a knot.

Even after I had finished, neither I or Harrison pulled away. We just sat there, our gazes locked, his hand cupped in mine.

I was melting in his gaze. Our eyes were locked, mine a sea green and his a vibrant electric blue.

"Harrison, you really have to believe me," I finally said in a whisper, "I never meant to hurt you! I was scared. I have never felt the way I do when I'm around you and well, I don't know! Really! I would have never done it if. . ."

I fell silent. I knew what I wanted to say but I couldn't.

Finally I looked up. No longer was Harrison looking at me with his cold eyes. These were eyes of feeling, of love.

"I love you Harrison, I really do." I said in a choked whisper.

I think both of us were shocked, even though we both knew it was true, I had never ever said those three words to anyone. Never.

Love and Briar just did not get along.

I guess my apology worked because a smile was playing on the edge of Harrison's lips.

He leaned forward. I followed suit, closing my eyes. I could feel his warm breath on my face. A mix of salt and dirt. I loved it! There was a warm pressure on my lips all at once. A shock ran through my spine. Harrison's hand was still cupped in mine. I lifted my hand away and placed it on the back of Harrison's wet head, trailing my fingers through his hair.

Suddenly the door opened and Harrison an I pulled apart looking up to see a very startled Gibbs standing in the doorway. I was blushing and I think Harrison was too.

Gibbs looked very embarrassed and quickly left the scene.

Harrison laughed, pulling me in to another kiss.

Sure we were both soaked, and yes we were both exhausted, and there was that small detail of the storm that was threatening to kill us, but all my confusion was gone. I loved Harrison.

Yeah, there would probably be issues, but for the time being, I just let myself be lost in the moment.

Yay! I just love Harrison soo much! He is soooooooooooooo hawt!

Love always!

Sarah