Disclimber: IOOMOK

J.L.: I'm feeling particularly silly.

Chris

We left the harbor after a week, most of the crew's wallets a bit empty, like their minds from hangovers long due. Jill had been avoiding me as the ship sailed on towards the last stop before we would head home. On a particularly sunny day, Richard and I had been stuck with deck swabbing duty while the other crew members took to below deck. As Richard and I scrubbed, I noticed a glint of shine from his left hand.

"What'cha got a ring on for?" I asked. Richard smirked and glanced around. Luckily, Forest had fallen asleep at the crow's nest and Enrico was lost in some thoughtful expression that was almost always locked on his face while he steered.

"Back in Bananuba, Rebecca and I tied the knot." He whispered, grinning widely. My jaw fell slack, at a loss for words. Finally they came surfacing.

"No shit?" I questioned. Richard's grin grew wicked.

"No shit. Had Barry and some random passerby as our witnesses. First Mate Valentine can't say shit now, we're man and wife under the eyes of God." Richard nearly declared. I fell back on my ass, laughing.

"Months later and you're still pissed about that?" I questioned. Richard stood up straight.

"I'm a man's man! No big breasted hussy tells me what to do!" He declared out loud and started laughing up until said woman was behind him.

"Hussy? Oh if your father heard the filth coming out of your mouth…" Jill remarked. Richard jumped, nearly pissing himself.

"First Mate Valentine!" He greeted, nervousness gripping his voice. Jill grabbed Richard's hand, examining it. She then slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand.

"I was really hoping Rebecca was lying off her arse." Jill muttered and walked off. Richard looked at me in a panic.

"No big breasted hussy can tell you what do, huh?" I tease and his washrag slapped me in the face.

Jill

I returned to Rebecca, flopping down into her hammock next to her as our sisterly bond allowed.

"You weren't kidding. What the hell is going on in your mind? You're still a child." I pleaded.

"I love him and he loves me! Younger than I are brides made in our hometown, you know that." She reasoned. I couldn't argue, recalling that a fifteen year old had mothered twins before our ship had left.

"Have you consummated this…marriage?" I question, dreading the answer.

"Yes." Rebecca squeaked, almost as afraid of my response as I was. I held my tongue back, because at this point any protest was just pointless. Instead, a different train of thought mucked about my mind.

"What are you planning to do after this? Surely you cannot expect to raise a family while sailing." I questioned.

"Well, Richie's the Governor's son. He has a bright future after this, and we talked about it. This will be our last sailing trip. I'll open a clinic and he'll start working on the politics that his father wants him to take up." She replied.

"Oh dear God, when did you grow up?" I questioned to myself, dread riddling throughout my being. Rebecca giggled and poked me in the ribs.

"The better question is when you will. You should take a husband yourself. Your maidenhead won't break itself y'know." She teased. I groaned out and touched my forehead to Rebecca's.

"How did you know?" I asked.

"I assumed. No husband, the only relationship you had lasted only weeks and you're kind of an old fashion gal." She replied. I bit my lip and ran my hand through my hair.

"I'm being lectured by my younger." I muttered. Rebecca started laughing.

"It's not so bad. You know how it feels to kiss, to have arms wrapped around you. I'll get to enjoy that every day for the rest of my life." She encouraged.

"Rebecca, I am doomed to a life of politics myself. Love is nothing to be afforded in that. Had I known my fate at the end of this journey, I wouldn't have permitted myself to fall in love." I declined.

"In love? Or in lust? Do you yet know the difference?" She questioned. I closed my eyes, drawing up the picture of Chris in my mind. The particular aspects that stood out now were that of his friendship and kindness.

"Love." I admitted.

"I was unaware that you still love Kevin." She said. I opened my eyes, slight confusion disturbing my mind. I recalled Kevin in my mind, his aspects being more about his physical appearance and kisses.

"No, that was lust." I replied. Rebecca sat quietly, dwelling on the information of what I was beginning to admit. She then smiled shyly.

"If you tell me that Captain has caught your fancy, I will declare you insane." She teased.

"Declare away little one. I am mad for the Captain." I jested. She busted out laughing, elbowing me in the ribs. I tickled her back, and we rolled out of the hammock, hitting the floor with a loud thud. I sat up, trying to catch my breath from the laughter, as she did.

"Jilly jilly jilly…you have been like an older sister to me, from even when my father was your father's doctor. If you cannot admit the name of the man you supposedly love, then I am wounded." She teased. I helped her up off the floor.

"I will tell you, but you cannot extend the same favor to anyone else. Not even him. I'm to be a Duke's wife, and no more. I will not harm the boy with false pretenses." I commanded. She crossed her heart.

"Stick a needle in my eye if I do." She promised.

"Must I actually admit it? Perhaps it's a bit obvious." I challenged.

"Oh my…really? Him? I can't say I'm surprised but when do you find the time to interact with the boy?" She asked.

"It seems as if his rookie status leaves him straggling behind the other more often than not, and I am constantly there to guide him." I answered.

"So…I know that he is attracted to you as well by his stares…but what proof is there that is goes beyond your looks?" She asked.

"He asked me to be his lover." I admitted. Rebecca's face deadpanned.

"Let me guess…you came up with some excuse?" She tried. I nodded, guilt creeping up again.

"Rebecca, again, I can't hurt him. We're from two different worlds, and my time with this crew is running out." I reasoned. Rebecca pouted slightly.

"Then I suggest you be upfront with him, and go all out for one night. It's not like you haven't been at sea for four years. People will assume that you're not virginal." She advised. I groaned out, hating the subject more and more.

"For what good? I'd think it would do more harm than good at this point." I inquired.

"You'd be surprised at how long a memory can keep you warm. Just look at how long Forest has continued on without Joseph." Rebecca stated, indicating that this was her last word on the matter. I nodded and walked out of her quarters.

Chris

Surprisingly it was cold out, but luckily it was my night to rest. I was laid back in my hammock, my hand on my cheek. True, it had been well over a month since her lips had graced it, but it was still easy to recall. I closed my eyes, remembering the fertility dance of the Muluki tribe again. That was until the cabin door opened.

"Christopher?" I heard her call. I shot up straight, the hammock twisted and the next thing I knew I was flat on my face. As I pushed myself up from the floor, her hands wrapped around my torso and guided me up. I stood up straight, smiling like an idiot at Jill. She smiled back at me, and she withdrew her hands from slowly.

"What brings you here, and please tell me that it's not because Richard's sick." I asked. She closed the door with her foot, her hands finding themselves a resting place on my chest.

"Tonight…um….I'll be your lover for the night." She said, almost forced. I cocked an eyebrow at her.

"No one's going to interfere?" I asked. She drew her eyebrows together in deep thought, and then relaxed them when she shook her head no.

"Wesker's sleeping, just like Enrico is. Barry is steering, and Richard's in the nest with Rebecca. I let Sully and Forest get into the rum reserves. We'll be alone." She assured. I cupped her face with one hand, my heart pounding so loudly I could have sworn she would have heard it. Her lips planted a chaste kiss on my palm, a smiled peeking out afterwards.

"Now what have I done to deserve this?" I asked. She smirked and drew herself closer to me.

"Maybe I'd like to know your intentions completely." She challenged coyly.

"My intentions are similar to yours. I'm looking for a friend." I teased. She cocked an eyebrow and shook her head.

"I'm serious." She said.

"As am I. I want a woman who is my friend in addition to my lover." I replied.

"A partner?" She asked.

"Yes." I answered. Her face lit up slightly.

"Very well then. Let's be partners tonight." She said. I tilted her chin upwards and pressed my lips against her own; thanking whatever deity had been responsible for this moment. That was until her tongue slid across my lips in invitation. Then I thanked every sort of deity for anything ever as I opened my mouth to hers. She pressed even closer up to me and my mind froze up from lack of reasoning with this. I just let my body take over and do what was natural, pulling her further into me as her arms snaked around my neck.

J.L.: Oh no! I know I didn't just leave you guys hanging. Oh wait, yes I did. *Dances the dance of much arrogance!* Told you I was feeling rather silly, but in any case, I hope you have enjoy what I have created so far. I've been improving on my romance scenes (obviously) for this fanfic in particular. You're going to want to strangle me by the end of this if you don't want to already. To that I say, bring it.