Needles sighed a little as she brushed Bones hair, the sound of the shipwrights mending the ship were all around her but all she could focus on was the woman in front of her. The crew had been taking turns going ashore so at least half were always onboard and looking out for the ship of doctors but she had refused to go. As much as she wanted to explore this island she couldn't bring herself to having fun while Bones was like this…
"Well, aren't you a pretty little thing."
The voice came from behind her and she spun around, shocked by the fact that she had been too distracted to notice someone sneaking up behind her and wondering where the rest of the crew was to allow this man so far into the ship. "Who are you!" She demanded to know as she took a defensive stance in front of her teacher. She didn't recognize him, he looked about as old as stitch but that didn't ease her worrying. She didn't trust that lazy smile of his or the look in his violet eyes as he watched her.
"Now now love, is that any way to talk to the person you called?" He gave her a wink as he slipped out of his long white coat and draped it over a chair.
"Wha…" She paused as she let his words register. "You're from her ship?" She eyed him, he certainly looked like he could have been one of her crew mates. He was wearing an orange plaid scarf that reminded her of the shirts that bones liked to wear and he had long two toned hair like her too, except his was black with lavender and shaved down on the sides.
"The name is Sam." He gave her a little bow as he removed the scarf and laid it with his coat, he moved to the girl's side beside the bed. "I'm sorry about startling you, your shipmates are helping my crew to unload. I went ahead because I wanted to see her for myself…" He let out a sigh as he stroked the woman's hair affectionately, never in his entire life did he think that he'd have to see her like this.
"My name is Needles…" She said but she wasn't sure if he was even paying attention, he was looking at Bones so intently… and sadly. "Thank you… for coming all this way to help her."
Sam looked up to the girl with a little smile, she looked exhausted and on the verge of tears. She must have been worrying a lot. "No worries love." He started to roll up his sleeves as he heard his men coming down the hall. "For her, I'd sail into the belly of a sea king." He added with a wink as he turned back around. "Now then sleeping beauty, time to wake up."
Kid stared into the mug of amber liquid, two days he had been at this port and for two days he's sat in this tavern with a scowl. What the hell was taking that old ship of hers god damn it.
Killer sat beside him, drinking his ale through a straw a bit bored. They had a few scuffles on the first day which helped the Captain to release a lot of pent up anger but not nearly enough to put him in a good mood again.
"Would you gents like more?" a silvery voice asked them as she filled the collection of mugs without waiting for a reply.
The blonde eyed the waitress with a frown, he knew the type. She was a pirate groupie, the type that latched onto powerful pirates in the hopes of riding their skirt tails to wealth and glory. Usually they were good for a few lays then left behind but neither of the men at this table that she had been trying to win over were interested and the rest of the crew that did want her she showed no interest in. Killer had made it clear to her that he had no interest of any of the women on this island so she focused on the Captain who did not turn her away but in the same respect was showing no attentiveness. He seemed almost in a daze still… what was taking that damn ship so long…
"Master kid."
The familiar voice drew their attention up to the blue haired man as he entered the tavern and made his way to their table. "I have news."
That perked the men up. "Did they finally show up?" Kid asked.
"Yes, I just came from the ship. The man I talked to said Bones will be fine."
"Is she awake?" Killer asked, to be honest he knew that once these people came she would get woken up. Stitch had explained that they put her into a medically induced coma to keep her from suffering from the blood infection but there was no way in hell any of them where going to try and explain that to the Captain.
Heat gave a nod. "They were giving her medication and starting a transfusion when I left. She's not completely awake but they said she'd soon be back to normal."
Kid breathed an internal sigh of relief, he pushed himself away from the table and got up to leave. His freshly re-filled mug stood forgotten.
"Were you going sweetheart." The waitress that was fawning over them called out to him with a little pout. "Stay a little while longer."
Killer followed suit and stood up, waving the woman off. "Find someone else to rub up on." He tossed a few coins and followed after Kid with Heat in tow, finally things could start getting back to normal. He looked ahead, the Captain had a good lead and would reach the ship well before them. Granted, in his defense, he was walking a little slower than normal. He figured he'd let the Captain have his one on one time before the rest of the crew hear the news and swarmed the infirmary. Besides there was something he was interested in knowing. "This crew of hers… how are they?"
Heat arched a brow at that. "They seem… dependable. A lot like her. While a small team from that crew is tending to her they took our docs aboard their ship to show them things, they seem to trust us completely solely because of Bones."
The masked man nodded his head, with a Captain like Abby he really didn't doubt they'd be like that… well, former Captain. "What is their Captain like?"
He thought on that for a moment, he only saw him from the doorway of the infirmary. "He's handling all of Bones's care personally, he seems to respect her."
Killer didn't doubt that, that crew dropped everything they were doing to back track to this island solely because it was Abby that needed help.
"Although…" He thought out lout. "He seems… young."
That was out of place. "Young, how?"
Kid's feet hit the deck of his ship, he ignored the workers around him and his crew that mingled with the new comers. His only thought was heading to the med room. God he was so pissed when Killer told him what he had done, reaching out to that one eyed bastard for help and sending out word for some random ship they knew nothing about to come find them… he was so pissed but the thought of them fixing up Abby eased his temper… but only slightly. There were a few new holes needing patched after that particular conversation.
He weaved his way through the crap that was being brought on board, just great. More shit to clutter up his ship, what the hell was it with doctors and needing so much stuff? With a growl he got passed it all, the door to the med room was cracked open and he could hear voices. He recognized Abby's but who else? Was the other Captain in there?
"Don't worry me like that."
Kid heard a man's voice talking, it made him stop just outside the door so he could eavesdrop.
"Hush my love." Abigail's voice was still a bit raspy from going so long without liquids.
"Drink."
The red head gave a little grumble, what was she doing calling that guy that? She let out a sigh and he could hear a clink from the glass being set down, part of him wanted to look into the room. Where those two alone?
"So how's my ship?"
"Hey now, it's my ship." He chuckled a bit. "and the Schöne Schnitter sails strong."
Kid arched a brow at that, he'd never heard a name like that before. What language was that?
"You know…" The man was talking again. "You can take it back whenever you want, we'll always welcome you as our Captain."
He could feel his heart pounding when he heard that, what was this? Was he worried she'd leave? She wouldn't… would she?
She gave a chuckle. "You guys don't need me anymore."
"We'll always need you… I'll always need you." His voice sounded a little sad.
"Is that your way of saying you love me?"
Kid's eyes got a little wide, what the hell! Who the hell was this guy! To hell with it, he looked into the room to see just who they hell this Captain was. Who was this guy coming aboard his ship and saying things like that to her, she was his damn it. His and no one else's.
"Shhhhh…." Sam gave a little smile as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her gently. "Tough guys like me don't say things like that."
She smiled down to him as she pet his hair, it had been a long time since he laid in her lap like this. "Look at you, acting like a man and all…" She laughed lightly at the pouting face he made. "When did you get so big my love…"
They cuddled like that for a moment until a noise caught her attention, she looked up just to see a familiar face emerging through the door that caused her to smile. "Kil-love."
The blonde tilted his head as he eyed the guy all snuggled up to Abby. "Where's the Captain?"
She gave him a blank stare. "I haven't seen him, you're the first visitor since I got up."
"Minus me." Sam said as he waved a hand to the man that walked in.
"Hush." She gave him a swat to the head. "Now get up, this is Kil-love. He's the second in command here." From just behind the blue haired man filled up the door way and offered her a faint smile before returning to his generally stoic expression. "And that is Heat-love, looks scary but he's a sweet heart."
"It's Killer." He corrected her as he crossed his arms, this was weird. He knew the Captain should have gotten here before them, where the hell did he go?
"Tasty." Sam gave a smirk as he sat up. "The name's Samuel D. Tome-Bon." He held out a hand for them to shake.
"Tombon?" Heat questioned as he eyed the man but neither of them took his hand to greet him.
"Well, not friendly much huh." He took his hand back and stood up with a stretch. "And add a hyphen big guy, it's Tome-Bon."
The two older men exchanged glances as they thought that over, could he?
Killer looked back and forth between Abby and the man as he tried to keep her in bed but she argued to be let up. It had been so long he had forgotten what her last name was but Bon was the name of Cyks… Noooo…
"Damnit boy!" She gave a frustrated growl. "I'm fine."
"The blood transfusion isn't done yet so lay back down."
Heat tilted his head to the side. "Are you two… related?"
"Huh?" They both said together in unison then Sam took a step back and over dramatically gave her a look of shock. "You didn't tell them about me!"
"Oh don't be such a drama queen." She waved him off.
Sam crossed his arms with a pout and mumbled under his breath. "Dad tells everybody about me…"
She tossed her pillow at him with a look of judging his little moping session. "It wouldn't be good for you if it got out your mum is sailing with the kid pirates."
The two men got looks of surprise on their faces, Killer was not expecting that. Not in the slightest. He was obviously old enough to sail but Abby wasn't that much older than them, how old was she when she gave birth? "You have a son…" He said a little shocked, which could only mean that Cyks was the father… That… He really didn't know how he felt about that. Wait a second… "How long have you guys been cuddled up like that?"
That was a random question. "I don't know." Abigail looked over to Sam who just shrugged as he pulled on his coat. "For a bit." Why did it matter?
"I'll be back." Killer turned without saying another word and left the other thee exchanging looks of complete confusion. Kid had to have gotten here first but if he saw those two like than then he knew damn well he'd jump to the worst possible conclusion. "Please don't do anything stupid." He growled to himself as he took off into a run to find his Captain and explain everything before he did something he'd end up regretting.
Kid snarled to himself as he slammed open the doors to the tavern he was just in, he needed a drink. He needed lots of them. He felt so fucking stupid for being worried about her, first she's hanging all over that one eyed bastard and now she's gonna let that guy cling to her like that! Just how many guys was she letting have her!
"You came back." That silvery voice was beside him again, wrapping herself around his large arm and pressing her breasts against him.
He looked down to the woman clinging to him, just another bar whore… but it would be good enough. "Find me a room." He ordered her without really looking, his eyes focused on her raven hair… it would be good enough. He had too much emotions built up… he needed a release.
"This is so great Bones!" The blonde haired girl hung onto the woman's arm lovingly as they left the ship together with the visiting Captain and Heat. "We were all so worried."
Abby gave her an affectionate pet. "It's good to be up and about again." Granted it took longer than she would have liked because Sam wouldn't let her leave until the transfusion finished and all the medicine was taken, her arm ached from having all those needles and IVs in.
Neddy looked over to the man, that she only recently discovered the identity of. "When we find the Captain can I see your ship? You must have tons of medical stuff; I'd love to see it all."
Sam laughed, he liked her enthusiasm. "Of course love, some of your mates are already over there. There's a boy, about yea tall, orange hair and cute as a button." He raised his hand to measure a little shorter than himself. "He's been over with my first mate this whole time."
The description made her giggle, he had such an odd way of talking. "That's Stitch, our head Doctor after Bones." She looked up and saw Kiss and Wire coming their way, when they saw each other the green haired girl ran over and wrapped Bones in the tightest hug she could manage.
Heat gave his friend a smirk which was replied by a blush as the taller man looked away.
Abigail laughed as she hugged the girl back. "I'm happy to see you too my love."
"Are you better?" Wire asked the woman, she seemed well enough and it would do the ship good for them to not have to worry about her anymore. Kiss really beat herself up over the matter.
"Yes, much better." She offered him a smile as she took note it was just the two of them. "Are you loves having a date?" She asked with a teasing smile.
Kiss blushed at that. "Ah, no… no. Ship rules and all."
Neddy giggled, they were both blushing. "Nobody is allowed to go out on their own when we stop at islands, especially after what we all saw with the kidnappers and human auctions on Sabaody."
The mentioning of the archipelago made the ones with two-toned hair grimace and reminded Abigail of her first meeting with the Kid pirates… "Have you guys seen the Captain?" She changed the subject, not particularly interested in continuing the topic.
"Ah." Kiss gave a little start, to be honest… Yes, they both knew where he was but… "No… haven't seen him."
Heat arched a brow as he eyed his friend that gave him a silent shake of his head, he knew what that meant and it wasn't to say that he didn't know the Captain's whereabouts.
Neddy eyed her longtime friend, she had a bad habit of fidgeting with her bracelet when she was lying about something but why would they lie about seeing the Captain?
"Well, we can wait for him at the pub then." Sam gave a smile as he walked ahead. "There's a shite place up ahead but the owner is a mate of mine and as long as none of you have ever been to a respectable establishment before then it should fit your fancy."
"Ah! Wait!" Kiss called out to him, he was heading straight for the Tavern they just left.
"Hm?" he turned back around and put a hand on his hip. "What's the matter love?"
"Perhaps." Heat stepped in, the girl would only dig a hole for herself if he let her try to come up with something. "We should let Bones get cleaned up first."
Abigail arched a brow. "Are you saying I smell?" She gave him an unamused arch of the brow.
"Ah." Neddy was slowly picking up on what was going on, oh Captain… "You were laid up for a bit…" She put a finger to her chin as if she was trying to think. "Didn't you mention there was an open style bath on this island?"
"Oooooooh." Sam gave a devilish little grin. "I'm liking this idea and I think today they have coed bathing." He said in a sing song voice as he got a little twinkle in his eye.
The girls gave him a glare. "Are you just trying to see the girls naked?" Abigail gave her son a firm flick to the forehead.
He hissed a little and he winced at her little assault. "To be fair, I want to see them all naked."
Heat and Wire took a step back a little wide eyed, was he implying…
Neddy and Kiss exchanged looks. "Are you… ya know?.."
He gave them a wink. "Just call me the Doctor of Love." He said in a slightly deeper tone.
Abigail rubbed the bridge of her nose. "For the love of god, never say that again." Behind her the girls were trying to contain their giggling at that unbelievable corny statement that he managed to say with a straight face.
"Yes but now everyone is smiling again… minus the two gents." He gave them both a wicked little grin. "I know how to fix that." He teased them, it was really too easy with these guys.
Heat took another step back and hid a little behind Bones. "No… No need."
"Shhhh." He gave them a wave of the hand. "You can trust me, I'm a doctor."
"And with that…" Abigail chuckled to herself, Sam was having entirely too much fun getting a rise out of them. "I need a drink." She slipped past them and started off towards the Tavern they had been heading too. "I'll catch up at the bath house after a pint." She called back to them with a wave.
"Ah! Wait!" Kiss called out to her but she wasn't stopping. "Oh noooooo." She whined. "What do we do?" She looked to her shipmates a little worried and the gave her the same expression.
Sam arched a brow at the looks they all had. "What's the matter?"
Abigail hummed to herself, she was really looking forward to having an ale. God was it good to be up and walking again and as much as she loved Neddy, the girl hanging on her arm the way she was hurt like hell. It was still pretty sore; she'd have to start doing some arm exercises to get her range of motion back… She wasn't paying much attention as she walked through the tavern door and bounced off of the back of whoever was standing right in front of the door. "Ow… sorry bout… KIl-love?" She saw the long blonde hair and polka dotted shirt as it turned.
"Abby!" He said a little shocked. "Why are you here!"
From behind Heat came up and put a hand on her shoulder. "Sorry Killer…"
"Bones." Neddy came up beside her and wrapped herself on the other's arm again. "let's wait and have a drink together after the bath."
Sam leaned against the side of the tavern and listened, he got the extremely abridged version of the situation… and was not exactly thrilled.
"What is the matter with you all?" Abigail asked as she looked down to the girl who was giving her an almost pleading look… then something caught her attention… the distinct sound of a woman being… rather loud.
"Abby…" Killer said softly, he could tell by her expression that it was too late.
Around her she started to pick up on the conversations of the bar goers, jests about how long that man had been 'putting it to her' and 'damn youthful pirates'… the moans from upstairs were obnoxiously loud and the heavy banging of whatever furniture was being assaulted was equally loud…
The masked man sighed as he covered her ears, he knew it wouldn't help but… damn it Kid… why do you have to be so impulsive. She was looking down now so he couldn't really see her face, what the hell should he do…
She took a deep breath and took Killer's hands in hers, lifting her face up to look at him with a smile. "Well then, looks like a bath it is." She turned, still holding one of Killer's hands and took the hand the Heat had on her shoulder.
"What?" Killer said a little shocked as he got dragged away with the other man. "I don't need…"
"Shut it and indulge me." She continued to smile as the led the little troupe away from the tavern, after she was a little bit from the bar she released the two and crossed her arms looking to the others. "Why don't you guys run ahead and reserve a bath for us why Kil- love and I have some words."
The four of them eyed each other but gave a nod, they all knew she realized what their Captain had been doing but she was still smiling and acting like nothing was the matter. Maybe the rumors weren't true and there really was nothing going on between the two… but she really was in a rush to get away from the bar…
Neddy took Kiss's hand and gave her a little tug. "Don't be too long." She offered up a smile, trying her best to make it look not forced. She trusted Bones to deal with this however she liked and if pretending like it didn't bother was how she did it than that's how it was. "I don't think Kiss and I can protect these guys without you." She tried to offer up a lighthearted joke.
Sam picked up on the cue and gave a smirk. "Now now, are you implying I'm unsafe company?" He walked ahead of them, as he passed his mother he gave her a little frown that only she could see before putting a wide smile back on his face.
"Just keep walking in front of us." Heat said as he and wire followed behind them, he eyed Bones and the smile she had on but he couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't genuine.
The remaining two waited till the others got a little bit ahead of them before continuing walking, Killer didn't like the way she kept smiling as she stared at the ground. Even on good days she never smiled that much. "Abby, stop pretending."
"Would you prefer if I started bawling uncontrollably?" She gave him a sideways glance.
He frowned at her. "I'd prefer you not to put on an act."
She sighed a little as she slipped her hands into her back pockets. "I'm fine Kil-love… really."
"You don't look fine."
"I don't know what to tell you then." She really didn't know what to tell herself. "He's free to do what he wants, it's not like we are dating and he made it clear that crew mates can't have relationships." She lifted her shirt a little to show off the black jolly roger on her hip. "And in case you've forgotten I am a crew mate" She put her shirt back down with a sigh. "Besides, it'll be good for him to get rid of some of that energy…"
"You realize his rules are more like guidelines than actual rules." He eyed the confused look she gave him. "Lots of people on that ship are in relationships, they just wait till we make land to act on it. The Captain only cares about distractions while on board the ship, he could care less about what happens when we aren't sailing."
She smirked at that and shook her head. Figures… still, she had no right to get upset with Eustass. After all she did sleep with Simon when he came aboard, granted she knew that Eustass had no idea she did… Why was she even contemplating this? "Let's just drop it, what he does in the privacy of… a dingy bar room for everyone and their mother to listen to, is not my business."
He gave a frustrated growl. "Abby…"
She took a sidesteps and turned so she was facing him which made him stop in his tracks. "Kil-love…" She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed up against him. "Do you want to sleep with me?"
"Wha… What?!" He froze as she pushed herself up against him, his face was burning beneath his mask as he looked down at her and the look she was giving him. "Wha… why… wha…."
She smirked a little. "If you don't want to sleep with me, then don't worry so much about my sex life." She let him go and took a step back, taking his hand as she turned back around to continue there walking. "Now come on, I think a hot bath would do everyone good."
Killer's face was still flushed and he was thankful his expression couldn't be seen beneath his mask. For a moment there he really thought she was being serious… and for a moment… he really hoped she was… "Yes…" he answered her question quietly.
"Hm?" She looked back at him, she thought she heard him say something. "What was that?"
He only smiled at her. "Nothing."
To Be Continued…..
