*Updated 30-04-2018*

Chapter 11 - English Rose

Rosa's blood ran cold at the sound of his voice. She was still on a high after the kill and her heart thumped in her chest, her breathing rapid and shallow. She slowly turned and looked down from her view atop the stage.

A pair of green eyes looked at her as all of her emotions just melted away. She stared back at him and all of the pirates could sense an atmosphere so went back to drinking, playing poker or watching a dancer. Rosa reluctantly crouched down and jumped off of the stage and stood in front of Vaas, never once breaking eye contact.

"It's been a while, Rosa." breathed Vaas, flashing his signature smile.
Rosa's body tensed at him saying her name. All she could do was look at him.
"Cat got your tongue?" he teased.
This flicked Rosa back into déjà vu. That young 17 year old boy, that was still making jokes after being nearly killed. His charismatic air had drawn Rosa to him, like a moth to light and she was hooked.
"Vaas." she whispered, her eyes scanning over his body.

He hadn't really changed. He had grown taller and more broader. His muscles had developed and his mohawk was bigger. The scar on his head had faded dramatically but was still visible. He wore the same clothes he did when he was at Hoyt's compound, except he had two brown, leather strips over his body and white bandages covered his fingers. The green necklace still hung around his neck, shiny and clean. His eyes were still the same dazzling green but they looked tired.

"Let's go and talk, princesa."

Vaas led Rosa through the warehouse with the rose on the door and into darkness. Red and purple xenon lights eventually came into view, illuminating the room as Rosa identified that it must be Vaas'. A mattress lay on the floor; a pillow and bed sheet thrown lazily over it. There were a chest of drawers and on top were a a few guns, ammo, empty beer bottles and some needles. A couch sat in the corner, old and tattered but that didn't matter to Rosa.

"How are you finding North Island, Rosa?" asked Vaas, his voice making Rosa jump.
"It's fine." she replied.
She walked over to Vaas bed and sat on it. Vaas closed the door and leant against the chest of drawers.
"I don't know what to say." whispered Rosa, the tension between the two mounting.
"I don't either." replied Vaas and he sat next to Rosa on the bed.
"I've missed you." he said and inside, Rosa was doing backflips with happiness.
He had missed her.
"I've missed you too, Vaas." she said.
Vaas' hand reached up and stroked Rosa's cheek and the pair were silent again, but it wasn't awkward but comfortable.

"First kill on my island and I miss it." Vaas said, "Now, I know how Hoyt must've felt."
Rosa smiled.
"How is Hoyt anyways? I've not seen that fucker in a while."
"He was sad that I wanted to leave but he understood. I don't want him to think that I betrayed him in any way, by coming here."
"He would never think that, princesa. He'll be fine, he always is." replied Vaas, his voice soft.
"Is it okay that I'm here?" asked Rosa.
"Of course it is, hermana. You kept your word. I've been waiting for you to come. I thought Hoyt might have allowed it earlier but no. When he came to visit one time, he said that you didn't want to know how I was doing, is that true?"
Vaas looked at Rosa and she looked to the floor.
"Yes." she murmured, "It hurt me too to think of you here, without me."
"I'm sorry, princesa."

Vaas got to his feet and Rosa looked at him.
"I like the rose on the warehouse doors. Did you do it yourself?" she asked.
"Yes. The first day I arrived here. I was upset, angry and I needed to release it. I could have killed somebody but instead I grabbed a paint can and did it. The boys knew it was about you because they had travelled with me but the new guys don't. It was something to remind me that you would one day hopefully be here. And you are."
Rosa took a deep breath.
"I love it." she said.
Vaas smirked, a look that set Rosa's heart racing.

"You'll be in staying here, with me. I hope that's okay. Do anything you want to the room. You don't need any training with the rejects as you made a fucking example of the one out there. Bravo, may I add."
Rosa giggled.
"Haven't you heard? I'm one of the most feared pirates in all of Rook."
"One of." said Vaas, smiling, "Don't forget about me."
"How could I ever?" smirked Rosa, "So what do you do around here?"
"Mostly just buy and sell merchandise; drugs, people, you know. We deal with the rejects and we have to sort out the fucking cocksuckers that moved across to the island."

Rosa could barely breathe.
"The Rakyat are here?" she asked.
"Motherfuckers are like hound dogs, they won't leave me alone."
"Will you ever tell me about what happened that day?" asked Rosa, quietly.
"Soon, chica. Soon."

Rosa made her way over to Vaas so she was stood in front of him.
"I don't know how you did it but you became even more beautiful, princesa." he whispered, his accent thick, it sending chills down Rosa's spine.
"I almost forgot. Happy birthday, Rosa. I made this for you before I left and told myself to give it you on your 20th birthday."

Vaas pulled open the bottom drawer of his dresser and retrieved a parcel, wrapped badly in newspaper. He handed it to Rosa and she pulled off the paper, shaking. The present was a hand carved, wooden photo frame, patterned with flowers and vines and inside was the picture of her and Hoyt, from when she was 10. She hadn't even noticed it was gone from her room back on South Island. A huge grin erupted on Rosa's face.
"It's beautiful." she said.
"Not as beautiful as you." Vaas replied, making her blush.

Vaas then got up and opened the door, walking out of the warehouse. Rosa placed the frame on the drawers and followed him.
"No birthday is complete without a kick ass, motherfucking party, princesa." laughed Vaas as did Rosa.
"HEY, YOU FUCKERS! TURN UP THE MUSIC!" shouted Vaas and the volume increased.
'Paper Planes' by M.I.A resonated all over the compound as Vaas grabbed Rosa's hand and led her down the steps, where all of the pirates were dancing with the women and having a good time. Rosa let out a laugh as she felt genuinely happy.

She was on Cloud 9 and going up.