Sorry to end it on a cliff hanger, but I couldn't resist. As always, let me know if you have any critiques. Also, please forgive me for any mistakes. It's been a long day, so I may not have caught them all. I promise to take a better look at it tomorrow. Enjoy!

Chapter 7

Antonio stole a glance in Lovino's direction. He didn't allow himself many opportunities to indulge, but when he did, he had to be careful. It was generally considered improper, after all. However, as the months had passed he found it ever more difficult to control himself. The Italian was no longer the boy he had been over two years ago. Every day, he matured and grew into the handsome and terribly misunderstood man that sat just a table away.

Their eyes met for just a moment and Antonio winked. Lovino looked away with a blush and he couldn't help but smirk. He was far too cruel to the poor man.

"If you keep teasing him like that, his face may stay a permanent shade of red," Francis' voice caused the Spaniard to return his attention to the table he was sitting at. He would meet with two of his former crew mates every couple of months to reminisce and catch up.

"Oh? I don't know what you're talking about," Antonio said with a grin. The Franceman just gave him a knowing look, but didn't press the subject any further.

There was a loud crack of thunder and the door to the tavern flew open. A man strutted through the doorway, making his way towards Antonio and Francis's table. A grin spread across his face as he looked between the two. "I hope that you didn't miss my awesomeness too much while I was gone."

"Ah, Gilbert you always know how to make an entrance," Francis said putting his arm around the other man's shoulders.

"That and trouble," Antonio added with a laugh. It was good to see his friends again. Their time together was far too sparse anymore.

It seemed that Feliciano felt the same as he nearly ran Gilbert over to get to Ludwig as he entered the tavern. Antonio couldn't help but chuckle at the German's startled expression. A soft smile played across Ludwig's face for just a moment before he was released and they settled down in their places.

Behind him, a woman that Antonio had never seen walked into the room. She let out a giggle upon seeing Feliciano's reaction to Ludwig. Despite the feminine gesture, it was clear that she could handle herself just as well as any man. There was a gentle confidence to her as she found a place next to Gilbert.

Of course, Francis was the first to respond to her. "Oh, Gilbert, who is this beautiful mademoiselle?" As he spoke he grabbed her hand and moved to kiss the back of it. Before he could make it very far, she whipped her hand away.

"You're flattery may work on other women, but not on me," she said. Her face showed not anger, but rather something close to wisdom. It seemed that she knew his type well.

"You must forgive Francis," Antonio said getting a kick out of his confused expression. It wasn't often that he was turned down so abruptly. "He is far too much of a romantic for his own good. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Antonio and the two over there are Lovino and Feliciano."

"I am Elizabeta," she said with a smile. "It is nice to meet at least one man who knows how to talk to a lady." She sent a glance over at Gilbert as she said the last part. "I have no interest in playing games with boys that have too much time on their hands." This time she sent her gaze in Francis's direction.

"I am hurt that you would think that I am only interested in 'playing games,'" he said. "My love is always true."

"Is that what you told the barmaid last time or the paper boy the time before?" Gilbert teased.

"Yes, and I meant it. Love is meant to be shared, not to be confined," Francis said with a glimmer in his eye. He had always been quick to give away his affection, but Antonio knew that he always meant it. At least, at the time he said it.

"I think that love is meant to be permanent," Antonio pointed out. "It means more when it is only given to one person."

"Love is overrated," Gilbert interjected only to be hit in the arm by Elizabeta. This time nearly everyone laughed. He had to admit that it was a little entertaining to see someone whip Gilbert into shape.

After a few hours and a few more drinks, their peaceful evening was interrupted. A young boy no older than Feliciano burst through the doors of the tavern. He searched frantically before finding the person he had been looking for.

"Captain," he said addressing Francis. "The Spanish have been tipped off of your arrival. They are saying that any pirates found on Spanish soil are to be hanged in the morning."

Antonio could hardly believe what he had heard. Sure the Spanish had been getting less and less hospitable towards his kind, but this was rash even for them. Still, he should have been expecting this to happen. Things had been heading in this direction for the past few months. He had even been asked to cease his services as a privateer for the Spanish government.

He looked over at the table where Lovino, Feliciano, and Ludwig had been sitting. To his surprise, the table now only held two people. As he looked desperately around the room, he began to feel sick. He couldn't see him anywhere.

"Where's Lovino?"

Mademoiselle (French)- Young woman