WR: well here is another chapter. Thanks for the feedback folks, I'm glad you are enjoying it!! Its just a mater of me typing it out from my notebooks… there is a lot of it to type. But I was reading over it last night… and its nice to be able to enjoy my own work, so I hope everyone else does too!

Chapter 2

Within seconds of waking, Aika wished she had remained in the blissful pit of oblivion. Her head pounded and she felt queasy. It was several moments before she realised she was lying flat, in an exceedingly comfortable bed. A flash of lightning outside the window startled her, reminding her of where she was. She sat up quickly. It was a mistake, the pain in her skull became far more acute, and her guts lurched. Gingerly she swung her legs out over the bed, and glanced around. She realised she remembered little of her evening after the handsome serf had left. She noticed the open wardrobe and went towards it. She selected a white fencing shirt, and a pair of black breeches. She even found some glossy black boots which looked like they might fit her. Gladly she stripped out of her hated whore's uniform, and tugged on her new attire. Sourly she noted the embroidery on the left breast of the shirt. The same crest which was tattooed onto her neck.

Casting thoughts of Ramirez from her mind, she remembered she was going to change her clothes the previous evening, however, the deep armchair had looked so inviting… Her blood chilled. Someone had moved her while she slept! She remembered looking at that bed in disgust, there was no way she would have willingly gotten into it! She spun around and cried out in surprise.

Stretched out, parallel with the foot of the huge bed, was the blond haired servant. His eyes were open, watching her with lazy amusement. His elbow was sinking into a cushion dragged from the window seat, and was propping up his head.

"Well," He said when it seemed that she was robbed of speech. "That was the nicest thing I've woken up to in a while." Ramirez watched the blood rush to her face, which had turned into an indignant scowl. He had stirred as she had walked obliviously past his head, and had happily admired her naked body, as she had unwittingly stripped before him. He liked how she looked in the tight breeches and the loose fencing shirt. It showed her slender thighs and hips in sharp relief. The shirt, however, billowed over her breasts and left the rest to the imagination.

"I…. What are you doing here?!" She demanded, wincing and raising a hand to her brow. She sunk with a groan into the chair she had passed out in the previous evening. Her eyes were dark, as was her voice when she looked at him and asked:

"Did you move me last night?"

Ramirez stiffly got to his feet, tossing his 'pillow' back into its place. He had opted to stretch out on the floor, rather than take his own bed. Being in bed with her practically naked, and inches from him, may have proven to be too much of a temptation.

"To your first question, I am here because I attended to my duty, then returned here, as I said I would. To your second," He continued, not pausing to let her interrupt. "Yes I did, you looked about ready to freeze."

She glared at him, then motioned to the wardrobe.

"You could have said something! You could have let me know I had an audience!" She was scowling at him now, and found it infuriating when he smirked at her.

"Why would I do that and deprive myself of a glorious morning view?" This time her blush was not from anger. "Do you not bathe in the mornings?" He asked her, motioning towards the washroom. She frowned and stood.

"I was planning on doing that back at the Harem." She replied, tossing her hair over her shoulder, trying to ignore the painful spasm it brought on in her head.

"The Harem?" His voice was a little hard. "Have you been given permission to return there?"

"Fuck permission." She snapped. "If they think I'm waiting around in this room, wearing nothing but lace, they can think again! Now, am I going to have to find my own way, or are you going to escort me there?"

Ramirez found it hard to cover his astonishment at this brazen woman. He was entirely grateful that she did not know who he was. He was about to agree to taking her, when he paused. This morning he knew he would have to report to Galcian for training and sparring, he had also planned to drill his men. Although he could escort her, and then continue on to his appointments…. But this in itself presented a problem. His clothes were travel worn, as he had not yet changed, and around the palace he usually wore a uniform bearing Galcian's crest, and the colours of a Captain, a duty he neglected when on assignments. Not only that, but he always had his blade buckled at his side. Now it hung, polished and sharpened upon its wall brackets. As soon as he had docked, he had handed it to his sword smith, ordering him to bring it up to perfect fighting condition, before delivering it to his rooms. It must have arrived here before he had, carried by a serf or a maid. Also, his arrival in the Harem, if Celeste was anything to be counted upon, would definitely give away his identity.

"Well?" Asked the impatient temptress.

"I am sorry, Aika, but you must find your own way there. I have duties to attend to before the Captain's arrival. I'll tell him where you are."

She glared at him for a moment before murmuring a string of curses under her breath as she headed for the door. Opening it, she turned left, and vanished from view.

"Wrong way Aika!" He called from his position. He heard her swear loudly, and seconds later she stormed past the door, this time to the right. Ramirez allowed himself to chuckle, before sobering and, turning his mind from Aika, he thought about his days assignments. Closing the door, the silver haired man dressed in high spirits.

Irritated that the man had declined to walk her back, Aika stormed through the ornate corridors with little idea of where she was going. At a junction she paused, unsure.

She glanced around and jumped when a door close to her opened. Out stepped Maev, she was running her fingers through her mussed brown hair.

"Aika!" She cried in surprise when she saw her. Hurrying to her, Aika smiled in relief.

"Maev! I'm hopelessly bloody lost! What in Deep Sky are you doing here?!" The girl laughed, and linked arms with her.

"Well I slept in, Alfonso left at dawn on his assignment, and thankfully he let me sleep off last night." She grinned and ran an eye over Aika's clothes. "By the Moons! Is that Ramirez's shirt?!" She laughed. "No wonder Alfonso was so aggravated. I heard that he was hoping to receive you." Aika opened her mouth to explain away the presence of the shirt, but Maev continued talking. "Hmm, but what are you doing in the corridors eh? And you look surprisingly un-bruised to have come from the bed of a Captain."

"Well that's the thing Maev, I'm coming back to the Harem with you. I have no idea of the way though." Maev stopped.

"He gave you permission to return?"

"I'll explain while we walk." Aika promised, urging her friend to step forward again. While passing through the slowly stirring palace, Aika explained about the young Serf she had met.

"So I decided that when Ramirez does finally arrive, he can come and get me himself if he wants me. I'm done waiting around." Maev looked concerned.

"But Aika, Ramirez's flagship did dock yesterday. He is definitely here, I passed the man as he was on his way to report to Galcian soon after his arrival." Aika blinked in confusion.

"But then why didn't he come to his apartments? Surely that's not gonna get him into the Queen's good books."

Maev was frowning. "Aika, what did this Serf you met look like?"

"Hmm, had a good few inches on me, slim, blond hair to his shoulders, and the greenest eyes I've ever seen."

Maev looked at her, mouth open, it seemed to take a moment for her lips to start working again.

"Aika, that…"

She was cut off, they had just entered the Harem, and almost walked into Celeste. The woman looked once at Aika, before her eyes became full of hate.

"His shirt?!" She sneered at the shorter woman. "Did he shred your clothes trying to get to you?! Tsk! Whatever impression you made on him can't have been good if he has already sent you away!"

Aika tossed her head, ignoring Celeste, she turned to speak again to Maev.

"Anyway Maev, I'm going to wash and bathe, I expect Ramirez will be along to get me later, I must be ready for him." She said snidely.

With that she drew from the brown haired girl and made to step around Celeste. However, a palm sang into her cheek, a carefully shaped nail gouging the skin of her face. Speechless, Aika staggered and then gaped at the tall, dark woman, who was trembling with rage, her lips pressed into a thin pale line.

"Don't you dare ignore me, you arrogant little bitch!" She hissed. "You think because you have had him once, you are now a Goddess?!"

"And how many times have you had him?!" Aika snapped back.

"I-I was his first! No other woman in the World can say that!"

"Well then I suppose I am the only woman in the World who can say she has spent the entire night in his bed, as opposed to being dismissed the moment he was satisfied, am I not?"

Her words left Celeste speechless, as Aika shoved past her and headed towards the spiral staircase which led to her room, a feat which proved more difficult that she had thought it would, due to the crowd of whores that had gathered. Some grinned at her with respect, others with dislike or jealousy. She didn't care either way. The blow to her face had reawakened the beast in her head which had been born from last night's wine, and it raked its claws cruelly on the inside of her skull.

She ignored Maev's far off voice calling her name, and as soon as she entered the tiny, shabby little room, she drew the bolt behind her. Collapsing on the bed, she instantly fell into a doze, and it was three hours before her eyes opened again.

Sensing it was close to midday, she stood, and wasted a few minutes tidying the sparse room, before eventually she left its confines. Entering the huge Harem, she descended and made her way towards the washrooms. She did not see Maev, but was told she was running an errand. She did not, at first, notice Celeste either, although when she glanced towards the door she knew belonged to the woman, she saw it was ajar. Through it, in the dimness, she could vaguely see two shapes moving together, and every now and then Celeste's over exaggerated cries of passion could be heard. It seemed that she felt the need to advertise the fact she was having intercourse to anyone she could.

Entering the washrooms, Aika managed to find an unoccupied shower and locked herself in. For over an hour, she stood beneath the hot water, and experimented with the wide variety of different hair products she discovered on a shelf.

Eventually, when the skin on her hands had turned white and shrivelled, she stepped out, wrapped in a soft towel which had been hanging ready, her clothes clasped under her arm. Finding her way to a large row of vanity mirrors, she investigated them, and saw that at each was a brush and a comb, and a few simple cosmetics. Taking the brush and comb to her wet locks, she eyed the small bottles and tubes. She had no idea what any of it was for, so she decided not to experiment. Eventually she slipped back into the Captain's clothes. Her body was still damp, so the thin shirt stuck wetly to her breasts.

Sighing in satisfaction, she gingerly checked her reflection again. She could feel a bruise on her cheek from Celeste's blow. But around the thin red slash, only a slight purplish tinge was noticeable. She had suffered far worse, and no doubt, being Ramirez's bed mate, she would receive vastly more grievous injuries than this.

Leaving the washrooms, she glanced at the large, ornate time piece on the wall. It was well into the afternoon, a little later than she had thought.

"Aika!" She turned and saw Maev hurrying towards her. She smiled in greeting at the girl, but it was not returned. Maev looked a little harassed.

"What's wrong?" She asked in concern.

"Aika, listen to me! Look.. Alfonso was angry last night, he always calls on me to relax him. He did more damned talking than fucking." She rushed, rolling her eyes, before continuing. "He said Ramirez was late to his meeting with the Queen. He had apparently come straight from his rooms, and boasted the reason of his lateness was because he had been busy "humping" you."

"What?!" Said Aika, aghast. "He never arrived! The only company I had was a bottle of wine and a serving boy!"

"Aika! A Serf I know who was preparing the room says that he ran into Ramirez outside the doors, and that he saw him enter!" Aika shook her head again.

"I saw no one Maev, no one."

"Aika, that Serf who stayed with you… no serving boy would dare to drink his master's wine, to sleep in his quarters… he.."

Suddenly Aika's hair was yanked backwards, and she was bowled over by what she assumed was a banshee, as it was screeching shrilly. However, she soon reigned in her senses, and realized it was Celeste. The smell of loqua was heavy on her breath and there was anger in her eyes, as her hand descended with a sickening lack of speed and backhanded the still-confused Aika.

"I'll damned well give you the bruises he should have given you!" She shouted.

Wriggling, Aika managed to kick the taller woman free, and rolled to her feet. Instantly a circle had formed around them, and the girl's of the usually tranquil Harem, had become a pack of baying dogs, eager for blood.

Glaring at her nemesis, Aika weighed her chances. The bitch knew how to scratch and bite. Aika was a pirate, she knew how to roll with a punch, to kick, and to hammer her fists home with maximum pain, and minimum loss of energy. Celeste, however was taller and broader than she was. 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall.' She thought ruefully. Her analysis was cut short by Celeste as the woman stepped forwards, nails bared.

Ducking below the slashing hand, Aika lunged forwards, slamming her shoulder into her enemy's midriff and sending them both crashing to the marble floor. Suddenly agony bloomed on her shoulder, as Celeste sunk her sharp teeth into the flesh. In an effort to escape, Aika, who was on top, leaned all her weight on the woman's abdomen through one knee. With a groan and a gasp for breath, Celeste let go, and Aika sprung up. However, the panting woman on the floor, was quicker than Aika gave her credit for. Her leg kicked out and swept Aika's feet from under her. Landing on her back, she was instantly covered by the heavier woman. She screamed in pain as a chunk of her hair was ripped out. She raised one arm to defend from Celeste's scratching attacks, while, in a blinding movement, the other shot upwards, the palm of her hand slamming into the whore's face.

Suddenly the weight was ripped from her, but not before she felt the satisfying warmth of her opponent's blood gush down her wrist, and Aika was dragged to her feet. A pair of strong arms hooked under her own, and met at the back of her head. In this undignified position, she could do nothing but struggle, her eyes were dark with anger, and fixed on Celeste. The dark haired woman, who was also being restrained in a similar fashion buy a soldier, but she clutched one hand to her bleeding nose, trying to staunch the flow, and Aika grinned viciously at her. Her enemy, however, was gazing, in what could only be described as slavish devotion, at the man holding onto Aika.

"Captain!" She gasped through the blood dripping from her chin. Instantly Aika froze, terror flooded her, as the adrenaline of the fight rapidly drained from her. The man holding her in this vice-like grip, was the very man she had been hoping to avoid by returning to the Harem. A shiver of fear ran through her, and she instinctively tried to cringe away from the press of his rock hard body against her back. A feat which, of course, proved impossible.

Ramirez felt her shudder, and cursed under his breath, holding her unconsciously tighter against him. His eyes took in the bloom of blood on the material of her shirt, and felt the blood roar in his veins. His eyes fell like shards of ice on the dark haired whore, staring at him with a repulsive look of longing. He lowered the tone of his voice a little before speaking, still trying to hold up the façade of a Serf that he knew must soon break.

"Release that whore, and then take this one to my quarters." He said to the soldier holding Celeste. The man obeyed, and Ramirez handed Aika to him, making sure to keep her head bowed. It was not an easy task, as when he had spoken, she stiffened in anger, and started struggling furiously.

"Don't you dare call me a whore you bastard!" She snarled. Her leg lashed out, as he was passing her to the unfortunate soldier, and it caught him, hard, on his shin. He grunted in pain, but managed to hand the wriggling hellion over without allowing her blazing eyes to rise further than his knees.

"Don't you speak like that to the Captain, you little bitch!" Aika heard Celeste howl at her, hearing her foot falls draw closer, as if she were about to attack again.

"Celeste, hold your tongue, or I'll have it cut out!" Ramirez's words both surprised Aika, and stopped her enemy in her tracks. She was gratified to hear Celeste making simpering apologies as she was shuffled out.

Ramirez watched Aika until she was out of sight. He felt Celeste grip his wrist with her free hand in an effort to ensnare his attention.

"Captain, I…"

She was cut off as Ramirez's furious eyes snapped back to her. He wrenched his arm from her fingers, as his other hand snapped up with blinding speed, encircling her throat and applying a descent amount of pressure.

The Harem fell deathly still, totally silent apart from Celeste's strangled gasps.

"I had you once, on the orders of the General, and have never desired you since, do not presume to touch me." The woman's eyes had become bloodshot and full of tears. Whether this was due to Ramirez's words, or her lack of oxygen, he did not know or care. "And if you even look at her in a way which displeases me again, I'll see you butchered in the Arena!"

With a shove that sent her sprawling, Ramirez tossed Celeste away from him as if she had a plague. Without a glance at her, he turned and left the Harem, his black and crimson cape flapping behind him.

He barely took notice of his surroundings as he strode quickly, and tight lipped towards his quarters.

When he was close to his apartments, he met the soldier who had removed Aika from the Harem. He had removed his helmet and his face was red and shone with a sheen of sweat, his yellow-blond hair plastered to his forehead. He shook his head in amazement when he saw Ramirez.

"She struggled the whole way, Sir. I swear the girl is a demon in a woman's body. I'm glad I was wearing a cup and armour."

Ramirez nodded. The man spoke to him easily, as he was a member of his private regiment, which answered solely to him.

"You are dismissed Bowen, I will not be requiring your presence again today." The man nodded and saluted.

"Aye, Sir." He said, then added with half a grin, "I must say, I wouldn't envy you Sir, with a dame like that." The Captain thought of the small, gentle hand that had fallen to his chest.

"I would." He muttered, but it was too quiet for the retreating soldier to hear. Striding around the last few corners to his quarters, he knew his short-lived charade was at an end. Dressed as he was, in the uniform of the Imperial Armada, blade at his side, he could never be mistaken for a Serf. Not like this.

With resolution, he slammed down the handle of his door and stepped inside.

She had clearly only been there a minute or two, for she was still pacing the room. As soon as he entered, she stopped mid-stride. Her white, drawn face, flashing to his. For a moment, she relaxed, and held her wrists out to him, Bowen had clearly tied them to try and control her.

"Come to unbind me?" Her voice faded, as she took in his appearance. His uniform was black. It had a high collar, obscuring his pointed chin. The black cape, lined with crimson hung to his hips from ornate clasps at his shoulders. The wide, upturned sleeve cuffs matched the inside of his cape. His legs were encased in the black breeches, and polished, armoured boots she had seen from her meagre vantage point in the Harem. The gleaming, rippling, double-edged blade that had hung from the wall now sat snugly at his side, completing the picture.

Ramirez saw her face change, her lips become white and bloodless. Her eyes, contained a mixture of terror and anger. She took one faltering step backwards, before anger won.

"You Whore-son! You lied to me!" She shouted.

Ramirez silently closed the door behind him, locking it with finality, before he turned to unbuckle his sword. When he finally returned his gaze to her, she had not moved, but her expression of anger had matured into one of rage.

"I never lied to you Aika." He said calmly, starting to step towards her, releasing his cape from its clasps as he went. "When did I ever tell you I was a Serf? When did I even tell you my name?" He stopped before her, silently impressed that she was holding her ground, and tossed the black and red material onto the window sea behind her. "I merely mislead you, and chose to withhold certain pieces of information."

"Aye!" She snapped, "While I poured out my fears to you like a fool! Then you went and told the Queen herself you had just taken me!"

"Another falsehood, my dear." He said dryly, "I merely told her I found you to be engaging, which was true at the time. I must say, however, that at the present moment, I am finding you to be more irksome." Aika's eyes shone lividly. "Besides," He said, turning from her, "I hear you were not so quick to deny allegations of sex. Your little friend, Maev came to see me today. Usually I would deny an audience with a whore, however, you had mentioned her last night, so, knowing it must concern you, I allowed it." He glanced over his shoulder at her and smirked. "She told me everything you has said to her, and to Celeste. She seemed very concerned for you." Her eyes were narrowing, but he was enjoying himself. "So just how handsome did you find the Serf?"

Her anger snapped, and she ran at him with a growl, but he was ready for her. Spinning around and catching hold of her bound wrists, he crouched low and dragged her across his shoulders, before straightening, and striding to his bed, where he ungraciously dumped her. To hold her in place, he grabbed her hands in one of his own and hauled them above her head, then neatly straddled her waist.

"It is not your hands that need to be bound," He muttered, "it is your feet." He remembered the painful kick to his shin bone. Evidently so did she, for a minute smirk of amusement tugged at the corners of her lips. Ramirez had to give her credit in that moment. Here she lay, finally confronted with her fear, and she was smiling. He decided to add fuel to her anger again, she was so passionate when caught up in a fury. "I also hear you boasted of staying in this bed for the whole night. It seems you failed to mention that you slept alone."

Her mouth snapped open to deliver a sharp reply, however, his words seemed to sink in at the last moment, and her expression changed from angry, to thoughtful.

"That's true." She said slowly, after a pause. "But you were in here, you slept on the floor." She looked suspiciously up at him. "Why?" She frowned. "This isn't some joke you concocted with Maev is it? I mean… you are the Captain…Aren't you?"

With a shake of his head, he looked down at her in disbelief. "You must be a pirate, with an intellect like that." Her face twisted, again, into one filled with rage. This only caused him to chuckle.

"No Aika, this is not a joke." He said.

"Then why didn't you…" She trailed off, before scowling up at him. "It's not how I would expect a man with your reputation to act."

"And what," He said, leaning forwards so their faces were inches apart. "have I done to lead you to believe that my reputation is true?"

"The girls in the Harem…" She began hotly.

"And you would believe the word of Celeste, over what you yourself have seen?" She blinked.

"Well…no! Of-of course not! But…"

"Then tell me what it is you have seen of me, which disgusts and terrifies you so."

"Well I'm hardly feeling very reassured at the moment!" She snapped. Ramirez suddenly became acutely aware of his position over her. The feel of his own body, pressing down against hers was one he was sure to which he could become accustomed. His eyes locked onto her lips, those damned lips, wide and inviting. He knew he should pull back, but the sight of that mouth was holding him locked in place. They had felt wonderful even when she was unconscious, and a longing awoke on him, to taste them now, when she would at least be aware of it.

"Ramirez?" She breathed meekly at his silence. The emerald eyes snapped to hers, swimming with hazy lust and desire. It was the first time she had spoken his name.

"Ramirez!" She said again, louder this time, and a little panicked. He blinked.

"What?" He snapped, irritated to be disturbed from his observations.

"Are you going to damned well untie me? Or leave me bound like a dog?" She twitched her wrists, which he still held clasped above her head.

"I think the latter would be more fitting, don't you?" He murmured quietly, with a slight grin.

"Fuck you!" She snarled, wriggling against him, trying to throw him off her. Her movements did nothing but fire the lust that was roaring in his ears, as he battled to control it. He gazed down at her. Her hair was spread around her messily. Her face was angry, and streaked with tiny rivers of blood which had spilled from the scratches Celeste had ripped in her flesh. Beneath the white linen shirt, her chest heaved rapidly in indignation and the crimson bloom had turned a muddy brown as it dried, like a flower wilting in autumn. She was beautiful.

"You have no idea, do you..?" She heard him mutter. Something about the way he was looking at her when he said that told her that he had not meant to say it aloud.

"No idea about what?" She asked impertinently. In answer he leaned closer, his breath mingling with hers, watching the fear reach a peak in her wide eyes. They were close enough… he could kiss her and she would be helpless against him, her heart was racing. He allowed his eyes to slide half shut, and took a long, slow drag of her scent. She trembled… this time it was not from fear…

"Just how much of a wreck you look right now." He said in a low voice. Her eyes darkened, and she bucked futilely once more in a vain attempt to remove his weight from her. Suppressing a groan, as her body jolted against his, Ramirez could only close his eyes for a moment before he continued. "Not only is my shirt as bloodstained as your face, but your hair is a tangled mess and you have a healthy bruise above your eye, and another on your cheek."

"Well I'm terribly sorry! Next time one of your little bed mates attacks me, I'll just ask her to kindly leave my face untouched for your viewing pleasure. I'm sure she'll be only too happy to oblige!" Her voice was rich with sarcasm. Her eyes were blazing with fury and… hurt? Had what he said injured that delicate pride of hers? "Now, as you find me so vile," She continued hotly, "you won't mind getting the Hell off me!" And with a moan of effort, she rolled her hips to the side. For a moment, he seemed to fall away from her, and victory gleamed on her face… however, it soon vanished, and a cry of dismay escaped her as, with a tug, Ramirez pulled her over him, as he had been over her. When she tried to climb free, his strong legs curved over the back of hers, and the hand which still gripped her bound wrists, dragged them upwards, so she was pulled down to him. Before she could think, before she could resist, Aika felt his free hand curl across the back of her neck, and drag her down, until her mouth met with his. She tried to surge away, but his arms were strong, and held her firmly, his lips, however, moved against hers with surprising gentleness. She felt his tongue, begging her mouth to open, to grant him entry. Aika stubbornly kept it sealed shut, although her eyes had involuntarily drifted shut…

Feeling her resistance, Ramirez did two things at once; he pushed his hips upwards, so her body ground against his own, allowing her to feel his arousal through his breeches, and he also, gently, squeezed the back of her neck. A small moan escaped her, if in protest of pleasure he did not know, but he took advantage of the slight gap which had appeared between her lips, and plunged his tongue into her warmth.

Aika lost the will to fight him then. The kiss was searing her mouth with a passion she had not dreamed possible. She felt herself spiralling down into a burning inferno which was consuming her body. She was barely aware that he had rolled her onto her back, and only realised her hands were no longer bound when they linked themselves behind his neck. The kiss broke, and she uttered a small cry of protest, her eyes opening hazily. His hands battled with the leather thongs that ran down the front of the shirt.

"Patience, Aika." He muttered in amusement, freeing the last of the material. Her breasts were swollen and hard, and with a sigh of satisfaction, Ramirez lowered his lips to them, instantly earning a cry from the Rogue below him. He was desperate to prove to her that Celeste and the others had spoken wrongly of him, and that he wished only to inflict pleasure upon her. When he had serviced each mound equally, he rose, drawing his face level with her own and met her gaze for a moment. He felt a cold jolt when he saw that her eyes were full of pain, and that they were turned to the side. He frowned in concern, and lifting one long finger, turned her face to his.

"Did I hurt you?" He asked steadily, searching her face. She bit her lip and shook her head.

"Then what?" She took several shaky breaths before she replied.

"You did not hurt me." She said, "It all felt incredible." A small smile twitched at the corners of his lips at her admittance. "But… I … I can't. I just…" She shook her head again. "Please stop, I won't… I won't be able to resist it, but I want to, I know I should. I'm sorry, just… please."

At that moment came a knock at the door.

"Captain, General Galcian wishes to speak with you."

Without a word, or a backwards glance, Ramirez rolled from the bed. Snatching up his cape, and his sword, he left the room. With trembling hands, Aika re-laced the shirt, her breasts still slick from his tongue. She rolled onto her side, thinking of home, of Vyse, and of their argument which had lead to her current predicament...

"Well?"

"Vyse, you are a brother to me, and you know it!"

"But I'm not! Aika, I have known and cared for you all my life! I want to spend my years sailing the skies with you at my side! Why will you not wed me?!"

"Because I do not love you Vyse! You are family, brother, and crew to me! Why is that such a hard concept?!" Vyse scowled at her.

"Aika, we are not family You know your father was a Nasr merchant and your mother was a foreign dancer! My parents took you in when they died in a ship fire. They were not Blue Rogues, you are not a true Blue Rogue either Aika! Marry me, and you will be!"

Aika had slapped him then. Her hand leaving a red mark on his face.

"How can you say that to me?!" Her voice was a hiss. "I have taken the oath, and I did not forget the words half way through my recital! I have twice the navigation skills, and ship-sense that you have! So don't you dare say things like that to me!"

With that she pushed past him. She had rigged a small sail boat, and hoisted the flag of the Blue Rogues defiantly. She had cast off from the look out high above Pirate Isle. As the sails had billowed, she heard her name, and looked back. Vyse had stood on the lookout, his handsome face pale.

"Aika!" He called again. "Don't! It's dangerous! I'm sorry, Aika! Please come back!"

"Fuck you Vyse!" She had simply called, before tacking into the wind, and drawing out of earshot.

It was barely two hours later when the harpoon had shot noiselessly out of the night and slammed into her deck. Running out from the tiny cabin, she had used the razor sharp edge of her boomerang to try and cut through the thick metal cable, which had already begun to reel her tiny craft in. She had not seen the ship towards she was being pulled due to the evening mists. The first she had seen of it, was the gigantic crest of the Imperial Armada, embossed on the side of a huge metal hull. For a moment, she had simply gaped, fear of her predicament freezing her limbs. Then her eyes snapped to the hatch, towards which her ship was rapidly being dragged. It was only meters away… she had scrambled to the other side of her vessel, where a minute dingy sat. It was in a bad way, and in need of repair. Aika had paid no mind to this as she heaved it up, over the ship's rail, about to climb in.

Suddenly she had felt gauntleted hands grab her and wrench her away. She had watched as the rickety dingy, and her only hope of escape, without her hands to hold it, spiral into the darkening evening.

Now, she buried her face in the downy pillows beneath her head.

'I'm sorry Vyse! I was cruel to you at the last.' She thought. If she had said 'yes' to his proposal, then she would have been an unhappy wife, but she would not, at least, be a bed slave in Vaula. Her thoughts inevitably fell to the handsome Captain. She had never dreamed it possible to be touched in such ways! Thinking about it even now, set her body aflame. The affect his kiss alone had had upon her, terrified her. She had been helpless against it! Ramirez was carelessly handsome, she had thought that much the first time she had seen him. He had been kind to her, laughed with her, and even surrendered his bed to her. It was far more than she had been expecting. How mistaken the whores who had lain with him were! How could a man, who touched so tenderly, then beat and abuse?

She growled in anger at herself. She had been attracted to the striking, blond haired man straight away, that, she could not deny. She knew that too long in his continuing presence would crumble her wall of determination. She had to concentrate on escape! She also had to turn her mind from him. Concentrate on his rumoured reputation! Learn to hate him! Force him to hate her! That last thought made her quail. She did not want his hatred. She wanted his heated passion and gentle mouth. But it was the only way! If she was to escape, it would be easier to do so, knowing she would be leaving behind a man who hated he. With her goal set, and decided upon, she closed her eyes, finally able to contemplate the blissful oblivion of sleep.

WR: Well…. What do you think? Yes, Ramirez IS very keen. Not the usual character I cast him as… but lil Aika doesn't want to play ball.... yet. Anyway, no fear, it will all scre up nicely for them. *grins evily*

Review please! :)