Jack nor Luke had spoken to me since that afternoon. Jack still allowed me to review notes and so on and aid in any way I could, but the conversations were kept to a minimum. I had never seen Jack so lost, so sad, so regretful.

Luke was even worse. Any moment that I took to talk to him, he would simply shun me away and continue his work. It reached a point where I knew that since I wasn't gonna get anything out of him by politeness, I would have to use force.

"LUKE!" I yelled and grabbed his arm.

"What?!" He answered angrily.

"Stop this. Do you think that just by ignoring it, that it's gonna go away?"

"It's a start." He replied and walked off.

I sighed heavily.

"I'm really sorry..." I heard Gibbs come up and say.

"No...what's happened cannot be changed." I replied and proceeded to my room.

The Monday night was young, and my birthday was tomorrow. The mates were doing their usual night aboard the Black pearl; eating and drinking. Somehow I felt the urge not to join them at all...not now...probably never again.

Suddenly, out of the corner of my hearing, I heard the scratching of a stone upon a blade, as if someone was sharpening it. Looking over to the front of the ship, I saw Ryan sitting there, shirtless, attending to a long sword with a feather decoration adorning the hilt. I reckoned he too was annoyed and mad at me, so I decided to head back to my room.

"I'm not mad at you yuh know..." He said to me. His french accent made his words sound beautiful.

I turned around to face him.

"You're...not?" I asked.

He shook his head and grinned.

"You were curious and a bit childish...It's nothing to crucify you over." He replied, blowing on his blade as a final touch up before returning it to it's case. He got up and walked towards me. I never knew how flawless Ryan's body was. His muscles couldn't compare to Luke's even! He seemed not macho, but dream-like. I noticed tribal markings adorning his upper torso, forming a pattern all the way down to the seductive V-line near his pubic area. I turned my gaze quickly before he noticed I was so caught up into his body.

He chuckled and grabbed his white shirt that was hanging nearby.

I looked out at the night covered waters. They seemed so calm and a thick fog cloaked the horizon, which could've potentially been dangerous, but with the stillness of the waters, it seemed highly unlikely.

"Are you nervous?" He came up next to me and asked.

I looked at him.

"For what?"

"Tomorrow. Isn't that your birthday? When all things will be revealed?" He asked me.

"well..yea...but I mean..I don't exactly BELIEVE I'm the blood child so..I wouldn't say that I'm 'nervous' " I lied.

"oh really...then why do you insist on staying with these pirates?" He turned to brace his back on the rails, crossed his feet and stared at me.

I stammered. what should I say?

"haha...it's okay...I was in dis believe myself...I never imagined YOU would be the blood child..." He said.

"What's that suppose to mean?" I asked him, feeling slightly offended.

"Usually when you think of Blood child, a beautiful, intelligent lady doesn't come to mind..." He said and stared directly at me. It pierced my very soul almost.

I blushed and looked down.

"Sorry..." He replied. "I'm making you feel awkward aren't I?"

NOT AT ALL!

"..Just a little..." I lied.

He winched jokingly.

"I'm sorry...i'll leave you be then...although I was enjoying the pleasure of your company"

"No!" I yelled. He looked at me with much curiosity.

"I mean...it's okay...It's not all that awkward..." I told him.

"haha..okay." He returned to his position.

At that moment, we both heard a faint whistle coming from the top of the ship, where the dinner hall was. Looking up, we saw Luke exit, hands in pocket. He didn't even notice us below. I sighed.

"Something troubles you?" Ryan asked.

"I think...I ruined everything between Luke and I. And although I've been trying to fix it, I don't think I can..." I replied and looked down below at the waters. They seemed slightly disturbed. Before Ryan could reply, I looked up at the foggy horizon. The waters seemed slightly a blur but in the distance I could sea large black mass moving towards us.

"...What in the world?"

BOOM! I heard.

CRASH! A cannonball came crashing near the waters where the Black Pearl slept. At that point, every man aboard heard and began to scurry outside.

"SOUND THE ALARM! PIRATE SHIP HEADING TOWARDS US!" I heard one of them say. After that, I turned to see Luke, Sword in hand, give out commands.

"Man the cannons! Someone! Up into the Crow's nest! DEFEND THE PEARL!"

Ryan pulled out his sword and we both awaited orders.

"You too...stay out of the way." Luke said.

We both looked at him in disbelief.

"But we can Help!" I yelled to him.

"Ryan! Find Jack!" Luke ignored me.

"LUKE! THIS ISN'T THE TIME FOR YOUR IMMATURITY!" BOOM! CRASH! another cannonball fired.

Luke grabbed me by the shoulders.

"WE CAN'T LOSE YOU!..." He yelled to me.

I stared at him with awe. His eyes were of the utmost worry. worry for me?

"...I can't lose you." He said.

"But-"

He then kissed me. I had almost forgotten that we were about to enter a war.

I placed my hand on his cheek.

"LET'S GET GOING LUKE!" we heard Jack say.

Luke let go all of a sudden and followed Jack as he gave commands. I watched him leave.

"Come along madam..." Gibbs pulled me on my arm. I didn't take my eyes off Luke. Never before had I been more confused...more terrified.

Clarice: WHY DO YOU KEEP KISSING ME!

Ryan: WHY DO YOU KEEP KISSING HER!

Jack: WHERE'S THE RUM?

hey guyssss! did yuh miss me? I'm sure you didn't :'( but you did miss this story ;)

haha...anyway, i MUST apologize for the VERYYY LATEEE chapter...onto this day, I'm STILL trying to figure out my schedule (college is a bitch!) but anywayss..putting that aside, I do hope you enjoy this chapter, next one coming...soon ;) (I pwamise!)

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xo~ V