Anonymous Reviewers, here you are. I probably will not update again for a while. I really do need to study for finals. Hope you guys enjoy. And, I'm sorry, it's another 'cliff-hanger'.

The next morning I woke up, stiff from sleeping on the floor and stretched. I stood and washed my face, changing into some new clothes. I made my way back to the galley and saw a huge mess. I could not help but laugh at all the men sprawled around the room, all completely wasted. I grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed up onto the deck, hoping that Arthur was still asleep.

Unfortunately, luck was not with me. However, he was at the helm so I tiptoed up to the mast and started climbing when he turned and saw me. "Miss Jones! Good morning!"

I tipped my hat and kept climbing up to the crow's nest. "What are you doing?"

"Look-out duty!" I called to him, though I doubted he caught my words, as the wind, though light on deck, billowed around me, snatching my words away. I laughed as it tossed my hair around. I picked up the telescope that was kept in the nest for this purpose and started examining our surroundings. "Land!" I hollered, but, as usual, did not receive a response. I was excited. Landfall, hopefully somewhere nice and foreign. I had never left the influence of the British Empire before, and I could not wait to experience something new. I made a note of the location, stowed the telescope, and began my descent. I jumped the last five feet and ran up to the helm. "Captain, sir!" I said, saluting.

Arthur looked at me, surprised. "Yes, Miss Jones?"

"Land is approaching us, 10 degrees west of north."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really? I did not expect to make landfall for another week."

I shrugged. "I am just telling you what I saw."

"Thank you. Take the helm, I will check the maps. Do you know where Mr. Jones is?"

"Hungover, with the rest of the crew," I grinned.

He grimaced and said, "Very well." I took the tiller from him and held it in position, not that it needed much control, we were going with the wind right now. He left the deck and I expelled the breath I had not realized I was holding. I sighed. I did not know what was wrong with me. Every waking thought was filled with him, and I found myself watching him. The way he walked, the way he talked, the way he smiled, the way he gave orders, everything just drew me closer and closer to him.

I looked up at the clear blue sky and said, "Oh, Mother. Is this what love is? I wish I had someone to talk to about it. I mean, I cannot tell Alfred, he would kill Arthur, even if they are best friends. And Francis may be French and an expert on love, but he is far too flirtatious for his own good. And none of the other men would be any help. Oh if only Matthew or you were here! Sometimes I just need someone quiet to listen to me, and Alfred is not the best at that, especially when it involves men."

I dropped my gaze back to the tiller and sighed, feeling my eyes start to water. I dashed the tears away and shook off my melancholy. Then I heard someone clear their throat. I froze and very slowly turned to see Berwald standing on deck, looking at me. I swallowed. "Hi, Berwald."

"You love the Captain?"

I turned scarlet and turned back to the tiller. "What gave you that idea?" I heard him walking up to the helm and turned to see him standing next to me. Damn, this man was tall.

"You were monologuing."

"Yeah, uh, about that -" I looked away, face burning.

"Don't worry. I won't tell anyone." He patted my shoulder.

I looked at him again. "Thanks, Berwald."

"You're welcome."

"You are in a relationship with Tino, are you not?"

He paused, then nodded.

"How did that happen? I mean, how did you confess, how did you end up together from just being friends?"

He shrugged. "It just did. One day we were friends, the next we were partners. Just let it happen naturally."

I kind of gaped at him. That was probably the most I had ever heard him speak in one sentence. I nodded. "Thanks, Berwald."

"You're welcome."

"Why are you up? Did you not attend the party?"

"I do not get drunk easily. I did not get wasted. I have work to do."

I nodded. He had a strange way of talking, abrupt and choppy, that was, at the same time, concise and to the point.

He turned and left. I sighed. At least I could trust Berwald to keep the secret. Then I heard a loud yelp. "Hey! What was that for?" It was my brother. I assumed Berwald must have woken him up.

I could not hear anything else, but I was sure that people were chewing out my brother for waking them up and being loud after a hangover. I chuckled. Even when my brother was hungover, he was loud.

The men filed up onto deck and were surprised to see me at the tiller. "Where's the Captain," asked Yao.

"He is probably in his cabin, consulting the maps. He wanted to talk to you, Alfred."

"Alright! I am on my way!" he yelled as he left. I rolled my eyes, while most of the men groaned. Sadik came up to the helm and said, "I'll take it from here, Jones."

I nodded. "Ar-The Captain wants this course maintained for now."

He nodded and I made my way down to the deck, helping out with odd jobs as the day officially began. Alfred came bounding back up the stairs and said, "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAMY!"

Everyone groaned, and I laughed. "Yes, Alfred?"

He tackled me in a hug and spun me around. "Hey, little sis!"

"Yes?"

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaartie wants you to come to his cabin." He pouted. "He better not try anything."

I laughed. "Are you still drunk, Alfred?"

"Huh?" He tilted his head to the side and I smiled. "Alfred, how about you go lay down for a little while."

He looked at me, confused. "That's what Artie said too. Is there something wrong with me?" He looked ready to cry. I smiled. "No! You just seem tired, and even heroes need sleep."

He smiled and nodded, then went back below-deck. The rest of the crew sighed. "Thank you, Amelia-san," said Kiku.

I smiled. "He gets like this sometimes, especially when he drinks a lot the night before."

Kiku nodded, then I went below-deck as well. I went forward until I came to a door, assuming that Arthur's quarters were in the same place any other captain's quarters would be. I knocked.

"Come in."

I opened the door and entered. "You wanted me, Captain?"

Arthur looked up and smiled. "Ah, yes, Miss Jones. Thank you for coming. I trust you took care of Alfred?"

I nodded. "He should be laying down now."

"Good. He is most annoying, and amazingly unproductive when he has a hangover."

I smiled. "I know."

He looked around and frowned. "Pardon me, where are my manners? Please, take a seat."

I took a seat in one of the chairs located around the room. I positioned it so that I was facing Arthur across the desk.

He sighed and leaned back. "Miss Jones, Amelia, I want to apologize for my behavior yesterday during our duel."

I raised an eyebrow. "Apologize? For what?"

"Kissing you, Amelia. It was most forward of me, and I am afraid that I took advantage of you."

I could feel my face getting warmer. He had to bring it up. "It is quite alright, Ar-Captain."

He frowned. "Please, call me Arthur. Captain sounds so distant."

I looked down at my hands, face burning. "Is that entirely appropriate?"

"I am a pirate, Amelia. When am I ever appropriate?"

I shivered at the way he said that. It was dark, loaded with meaning. I kind of liked it, but it also terrified me. I decided to play it safe. "Captain, do you need me for anything?"

I could hear him sigh. "No, Miss Jones, that will be all. You may go."

I stood up and left, without looking at his face. My mind was whirling with questions. I did not know exactly what he had been suggesting, but whatever it had been, it was not, "Let's be best friends." Did that mean he returned my feelings? Or was he just being a man, a flirtatious pirate? I did not know, and I needed to talk to someone. The only question was who.

You guys are great. Please Review. I apologize for Berwald, I have never written him before. Anyway, Please Review, and I'll be back when finals are over.