Shout out to Rani-Girl, Hinotori-hime, Mizushi-Hime, and 1! All these reviews are awesome! I'm feelin' the love! :)

I know this is short, but it's the best I can do at the moment with my schedule. I promise once things slow down you'll get a better update. On the upside, it'll included the long awaited arrival in Tortuga! :)

Enjoy!

Lovina had spent the better part of her life near or in a port city. Nonno had taken them sailing numerous times, and on the few occasions when he had to go away he'd taken the twins with him. Lovina was no sailor, but she knew the ins and outs. She knew port from starboard, how to tack and navigate, she even knew how to tie a few impressive knots.

This also meant she knew when a ship changed course or speed. She kept one eye on their course after Gilbert had left, and the day after. By mid-afternoon the next day, they were still going as fast as the wind could take them, their heading still Tortuga. Initially Lovina had not wanted to go there on principle, but now that she knew the infamous Arthur Kirkland was docked there she wanted to be there even less. Not to mention the pirate who had taken her captive had a rivalry with the man. All in all, aside from the slightest chance she could escape, there was no reason at all for her to want to be in Tortuga. In her opinion, Antonio should at least be slowing down a bit, give Kirkland time to get out of port if what Gilbert had said about his intended short stay to be true.

Yet over a day after Antonio had been warned about Kirkland, and not only were they still on course, but they were plowing through the waves as swiftly as ever.

The sun was drawing near to the horizon when Lovina stomped up to the captain, who was standing at the helm, checking their course. Propping her fists on her hips, she demanded, "Why the hell are we still on course?"

Antonio didn't look up from the map. "Because our heading is still Tortuga."

"Do we need to get there this fast?"

"I don't see why not."

"How about the fact that if you keep at it this way you'll risk catching up to Kirkland?"

Antonio pulled out a spyglass, checking the horizon. "Even if we do, there's a code on Tortuga, Lovi. No fighting in the port or in the harbor. If he wants a fight he'll have to challenge me and meet me outside the harbor. This is a peek season for raiding so I doubt he will want to waste that much time on me. The feeling is certainly mutual."

Lovina scowled at him. "How can you be so calm about this?"

The captain folded the spyglass, returning it to a coat pocket before turning to regard her. "Why are you not, Lovi? If anyone should fear meeting Kirkland it should be me."

Glowering even as she felt her ears heat, she snapped, "Because the only person who has a bigger reward for their head than you is him. If that happens it usually means they've done more damage and are more dangerous. It's bad enough I'm stuck on your damn ship, I'd rather not get anywhere near his."

Antonio chuckled. "Actually, as far as our pirating goes we're on equal ground. Kirkland has a bigger reward on his head because he's a traitor to the crown. He might avoid British ships and American smugglers as I do ships flying the Spanish flag, but he was once an admiral in Her Majesty's Navy, Lovi. To be a member of their military, and of that rank, and then to become a pirate is considered very rude. He has a bigger reward on his head because as irritating as I am, they hate him more."

Lovina frowned. "Why would he go through the trouble of avoiding American smugglers? The revolution ended not ten years ago."

The pirate chuckled. "It's an old trick that still works, it seems. The privateers hired by the queen to liberate ships of their cargo do not attack their own. Before they were more than a colony, the Americans flew the British flag when they smuggled goods so the privateers would leave them be. I think Kirkland is aware of it, but he can hardly stop every ship he sees flying the British flag to make sure all is as it seems."

It was a simple trick. Ridiculously so. Still, impressive, especially if it's worked this long, mused Lovina. "So you're still going to risk an encounter with Kirkland?"

"I wouldn't call it a risk," mused Antonio. "I believe this is what one would call a calculated gamble. I have even less reason to want to meet him now than ever, after all."

Lovina frowned. "Why?"

The pirate smiled at her. "Whenever he gets close he likes to do things that hurt me the most. Sink one of my ships for example, or steal something I would rather he left alone. Most sailors believe having a woman on board is bad luck, and he knows I don't take prisoners on a whim. No matter what you think of me, Lovi, I would rather he didn't get his hands on you."

Lovina watched him walk away, frowning. No matter how often he made it clear he cared for her to some degree, it never made any more sense to her. Why was it all the nobles within traveling distance had never thought much of her, but a pirate seemed to have fallen for her within a few minutes of meeting her?

BREAK/BREAK\BREAK

Not one to beat around the bush, Lovina waited on the bed that night, legs crossed and arms folded, brush clutched in one hand. If need be she could use it as a weapon. Though at this point she wondered how much of one it would be.

As soon as Antonio was sitting next to her, Lovina demanded, "Why the hell are you keeping me, bastardo? It sounds like you have at least one port full of brothels who would love to have you. There have been plenty of other people to kidnap, ones who have fewer people to worry about them or would have a bigger random offer. Why is it I'm the one that gets stuck with you?"

The pirate seemed to consider this for a long moment. When he spoke he said slowly, "I didn't bring you on board my ship, Lovi. I know what I am, I know what I do, and I know that sooner or later I am going to die. It might be in a storm, or it might be when one law or another finally catches me. I would sink my own ships before I let it be at the hand of Kirkland. If given the choice, I would have left you in Port Diego so you would not chance sharing my fate. I couldn't send you back when you were brought on board, so I kept you. Now I do not think I can let you go. That is all the answer you will get, Lovi."

Lovina was still digesting this when he asked in his normal tone, "How have you liked working in the kitchen?"

Distractedly she answered, "Fine. But I need more spices. The supply you have is pathetic."

"Then I will arrange to get some. Your turn, Lovi."

"What did you mean you don't think you can let me go?"

Antonio sighed, and left the bed.

"Hey, is it that hard to answer?" she demanded, gripping the unused brush tightly.

"I told you that was all the answer you would get," he said simply, returning to the bed. "Rest, Lovi. Tomorrow we make port in Tortuga."

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