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There Once Was a Pirate(butterfly0408/Distain2003)

"Stephen... Stephen!" One moment she was screaming his name, the next moment she was whispering it. But holding is hand helped so much. For just now, she knew he was there with her, he was holding onto her and wouldn't let he go. Not again. With the moonshine starting to run through her system, she was definitely calmer. And the more he put into her, the calmer she got until she was still as could be, the brink of unconsciousness. In that little place, between asleep and awake, she tilted her head a little bit, looking right into his eyes, a gentle smile on her face, "Don't die on me again, Stephen. I need you. Mmm, I've been kidnapped. I need my hero to save me." Her eyes shut again and she gripped his hand a little tighter. "My hero... don't leave me again."

A moment later, she was out, limp and totally unconscious. "Don't worry, she's fine. It's best she be out at this point. I need to stitch this cut. It should be fine. We will need to watch it though. It could get infected and we don't want that to happen. Infection can lead to fever and... well... it don't think a fever on the seas will fair well." After he had the wound all stitched up, he started to wrap it with the bandage. "She will have a scar. One to match the other side of her leg it seems. It might be a good idea, Stephen, if we make a stop in some port. I have medication that can help her, but there are better ones out there that will help her recover better..."
 
Stephen looked up at him he was bleeding under his shirt having opened the wound from yesterday with all the fighting. "Go tell Nathan to make for the next friendly port. Its Spanish hoist their flag and cover our name. " He spoke softly he had forgotten the ships Spanish name in all the stress. "They know the name. Doc, take what you need out of the chest at the foot of the bed to pay for the medication. Fill our stores to make it look good."He spoke softly knowing the doctor would not let on that the captain was showing weakness to this woman. "Thank you doctor. "He moved whispering into her ear. "Don't worry Laine I am not going anywhere." He spoke softly his hand leaving her hip going to her other hand holding it lightly. "I will die to save you. You know that. "He laid down next to her hiding the cut on his stomach form the doctor he would be fine for now and the doctor had other things that needed to be done first.
 
Laine was still the whole while, having slipped into a deep slumber by now. She kept her hand in his as the doctor went about picking from the treasures in the chest. "The men didn't get all the supplies we needed before the raid, I will take enough for the rest of the lists... and some clothing. She can't wear your clothing all the while..." it was as if the Doctor was stalling for time or leaving the window open for Stephen to let anything off his chest. But when he did not reply at all, the doctor sighed, "Stephen... if you need to talk, about anything at all or anyone... I am here for you lad." The doctor was more of a father figure then the pirate king could ever be. With that, he left the cabin, leaving Stephen alone with his Laine. For one night at least, he could be here hero once again without consequences. It would all be like a dream come morning.
 
"Doc! "Before the doctor left the room he called out. "I need you to light all the lanterns in the room. She ... freaks out when it gets dark... Its my fault. "He said softly his heart was broken as he looked at her his hand leaving her hand running threw her hair pushing it from her face. "I don't dare leave her she could lose it again if i let her go. "He spoke softly this would be the only time he could speak to the doctor and not worry about her or anyone hearing. "Remember when I used to stare off the edge of the boat... She is who i was looking for. "He spoke softly."She is why we went back to my home town. And ... Now her hero... Is a murdering monster. I don't know what to do doc. Do i free her when she gets healthy and let her keep her image of me. " Since he came on board this was only the second time he had broken before anyone. The first was 13 years ago.
 
The doctor listened silently to all he had to confess while he slowly walked around the room, making sure every lantern in the four corners were lit for them. Or really, for her. He knew that Stephen had some issues, but he never had any idea it went this deep. It made some sense now though, Stephen's odd behavior ever since setting course for that town and throughout the raid. "Stephen, you clearly care for this woman. If you didn't, you would not have gone back. You would not have risked your life and this ship if you want her save and in your life. I think you need her. I think she needs you as well. You calmed her so well when you spoke to her like the boy she once knew. Be that person again for her. You might never tell her who you really are, that is your choice to tell her or not, but you can be a new hero for her. You don't have to be as you were before, but you also don't have to be the pirate you are now. Be something in the middle for her." With a warm smile, the doctor moved to leave, noticing the broken window near the door... turned and looked at the broken windows... then went back to the chest and took some more gold, "I think you will some repairs in here as well when we reach port." It was only after that he left them alone at last.
 
He could have took the whole chest Stephen was not paying attention. His eyes where locked on her wondering if he could be with her, with out telling her. How would i ever make her care about me again. He laid his head down on her chest not thinking listening to her heart. He was planning how he would go on from here. They had 2 days before they would reach port. Where he would go from there he was not sure. He had tired of being a pirate the only reason he continued being a pirate was laying under his head. He had done so many horrible things to her to her family. He needed to make it right! he had to make it right.
 
Laine slept peacefully through the night and well into the next day. The doctor assured him that it was alright before he even started to voice his worries. It was her bodies way of recouping. Rest and plenty of it. He would be more worried is she WASN'T sleeping so long and so peacefully. He had the ship cook prepare a hearty broth for her. "When she wakes, you have the cook send it up at once. She will need to eat and it is the best thing for her right now." He smirked a little, "You'll have to assist her with it. You might be a pirate king now Stephen, but when you are in that cabin... you are the girls nurse."

It was around noon when Laine finally started to slip out of her little drunken comb, her head still spinning a little from all the moonshine she had in her blood. "Uuuhhh... I feel... uhhh..." she groaned a little, squirming on the bed. "Uhh! I was stabbed... wasn't I? Or was I shoot? I can't recall." she questioned openly, not knowing who was there to answer if anyone at all.
 
Stephen released her hand when she woke up standing up slowly. "You where stabbed. The man that attacked you is dead. Your safe please don't move." He moved quickly to the door calling to a member of the crew to have Adam bring the food to him. He moved slowly back to her side setting down on the bed next to her. "This time tomorrow we will be landing in Haystings a Spanish port. There the doctor will go and get you medicine. We will have you back up and fighting me as soon as possible. "He smirked a bit when he said fighting him hoping she recognized his humor. It had been a while since he had told a non pirate humor joke.
 
She smiled slightly and laughed ever so gently as she turned her face to him. But the moment she saw him... the smile faded. For a moment, she thought it was someone else. But that other person died, a lone time ago. He never grew to be a man. He was never given the change. And yet, it felt like last night, he had been SO very close. Had he held her hand? Whispered in her ear? Or was it a dream? Did her near death experience take her so close to heaven her hero took a moment to reach out and touch her once again? The thought of that brought a few small tears to her eyes. Was Stephen still with her? Even now? Before anything else could be exchanged between them, Adam arrived with two bowls of the broth the doctor ordered for her. Setting the tray down on the table, Adam soon departed. Laine took a moment to wipe the moisture from her eyes before she started to move as if she thought she could attempt to get to the desk and take the bowl herself. That soon ended. The best she could do was sit up partially.

((Last post for the night. Goodn night.))
 
Stephen thanked Adam as he walked out. He took his shirt off slowly blood was trickling slowly down his side from his cut. Half the stitches had blown out in the fighting. He took a deep breath ignoring the pain throbbing in his side. He hung the shirt over the window carefully he could not afford anyone seeing him do this. He walked over to the desk silently he was right she had forgotten everything about the night before. He grabbed one bowl and a spoon taking a deep breath as he moved to set down next to her. He lifted on leg onto the bed so he could face her. "You need to eat, doctors orders." He spoke softly as he took a small spoonful he knew it would take time for her to get used to him feeding her and he was going to start with a full spoon.
 
Glancing into his eyes as he sat down, she felt suddenly like she was in her dreams once again. For a moment, when Stephen reached out and held her hand, just for a moment she saw his eyes. These were the eyes she saw. Was it not Stephen who held her hand? Was it this... this pirate? Deep inside, she knew it was the truth and her heart almost instantly softened towards him. He was kind enough to humor her in her time of need and her time of insanity so it seemed as well. She still did not understand him, but she was more inclined now to give him a better chance. He did save her life, she thought.

The moment that he sat down, her eyes were automatically drawn to his bare chest. And right after that it was drawn to his bloody side. Eyes wide, she gasped, completely ignoring the spoon he was holding in her direction, "You're bleeding!" He hand reached for it, "You have to get it looked at. Call the doctor!"
 
Her mouth was still open from her last word when he put the spoon in her mouth. "Eat! I will need to call the doctor to tell him your awake anyways. " He fed her more carefully from that moment on. He still ignored the pain in his side. Feeding her slowly if she attempted to complain he put the spoon in her mouth before she could do so. He smiled softly at her he almost liked taking care of her. He knew the doctor would find out shortly that she was awake. Knowing him he would be watching the stew the chief had cooked.

Stephen had given her 3/4 of the bowl when there was a knock at the door. "Its me."The doctor said before Stephen invited him in. He slipped inside looking at her smiling glad to see her awake. Stephen stood careful to keep his side out of the doctor's sight setting the bowl down next to her. "Make sure she is okay doc. "He spoke softly trying to hide his concern about her.
 
The doctor came towards her, ready to inspect her wound, but she was quick to stop his hand as it reached to the blanket she had covering her lower body. She had watched hims struggling the entire time he was feeding her soup. He was in pain and she could see it now. "He's hurt," she said to the doctor, looking across the room towards Stephen. "His side is bleeding. Look! He's trying to hide it!"

The doctor did look and DID see the way that Stephen hid the spot where the doctor had recently stitched him up. "Is this true captain?"

"Of course it is! Look at him." She kept a firm hand on the blanket and stuck up her chin, "If you want to check on MY wound, you first must tend to his."

The doctor couldn't help but smile at Laine. She had spirit. She would complement Stephen very well. Very well indeed. The doctor shrugged as he looked in Stephen's direction, "You heard her captain. I'm not one to fight with a lady. I happen to think of myself as a gentleman. I think we should give her what she wants."
 
Stephen moved to the desk setting on it sighing softly. Reaching into his desk drawer pulling out the bottle that the flask had filled taking a big swig. "Do it! "He growled taking a few spoon fulls of soup while the doctor got ready."You know your not going to be able to do this for ever. "He looked at her snarling looking into her eyes his snarl went away immediately when he caught her eyes.

He winced a bit as the doctor stitched him up. He had dealt with this pain so many times it was becoming almost normal to him."Doc if you keep stitching me up like this I'm going to start associating your face with pain."He laughed at the doc as he smiled."Stop getting yourself wounded and ill stop stitching you up!" He laughed giving the stitch a light tug just enough to make Stephen wince and groan. "Okay dock your done! Go check her out now ill bandage myself up. "Taking the bandage from the doctors hands wrapping the bandage tightly around his own side like an old pro.
 
Laine laid back against the headboard watching with an almost sadistic smile as the captain was forced to be subjected to his pain. Every time her winced or flinched, she smiled just a little more. Something about causing her kidnapper pain was a little satisfying to say the least.

The doctor enjoyed it just as much. Once he was dismissed by Stephen, he crossed the room back to Laine, who shared his smile as she finally lowered the blanket and let him look at her leg. Leaning in, he whispered to the girl, "Something tells me my dear girl, you and I shall get along just fine."

"I believe you are correct doctor," her sentence was ended with a hiss as he started to put a little pressure on the wound.

"Still tender. That's to be expected. It's still fresh after all. Let's take closer look and change that bandage." With skilled hands, the doctor went about his task. Once the bandage was removed, he inspected the wound. Stitches were holding up well. Did not look as it was infected, but it still ran the risk. "This WILL sting child, might want to hold onto the sheets..." He produced a small vile and pulled the plug with his teeth and poured it upon the cut. Laine was really hissing then. Squirming as well, but her held her leg down, "Shh... it's alright child. That was the worst of it. Have to keep it clean."

After that, it was easy street to bandage her back up once again. A quick check on the ribs didn't prove as easy. "The second struggle has bruised you more here. You are not to leave this bed until I approve you for it." He glanced across the room to Stephen, "You might be captain, but your second job now is to make sure our little patient takes it easy and follows my orders."

Turning to Laine, he smiled once again and patted her on the shoulder, "You'll be fine in no time with a little tender love and care."

"And just who is suppose to give that to me?" she asked, her eyes turning to Stephen. "Him? Pirates are not capable to such things tenderness and care."

"My dear... you might soon find yourself surprised." Those were the doctor's parting words before he left the two of them alone once more.
 
Stephen looked at her smirking when she squirmed in pain his eyes said it all. 'You laughed at me now its my turn.' He moved over to the pile of weapons still near the door his hands moved slowly gathering them up putting them in the chest. " Are you going to listen to doctor's orders?" He smiled beginning to reload his pistols. "Or will i have to tie you down?" He winked at her playfully he hoped she knew he would not do that. His hands moved quickly on his pistols years of practice had made him an old pro at reloading. Only a few times during his reloading did he look at the gun, the remainder of the time he looked at her. He stood up slowly moving over to were he stored his close dressing slowly behind the desk. Setting down when he changed his shorts so she could not see him nude.
 
"I will... unless you or one of your men give me reason to flee." She settled herself into the bed. It was going to be awhile. "And I can't even get at the books to keep my attention, since they are under me." Her eyes moved to him once more, "Will you entertain me as well? A little jig perhaps... captain?" She was smiling until she realized that beyond her line of sight he was pants less. She then blushed and turned her face away. "I don't even know your name."
 
He froze his pants half way up his thighs he did not want to to tell her his name just yet. "Just call me captain for right now. If you ever stop lose your disdain for me i will tell you my real name. "He spoke softly pulling up his pants standing up. He winced a bit as he slipped on his shirt walking over towards the bed. He looked at her taking a deep breath. "Hold as still as possible."He leaned down slipping one arm between her arm and body hooking under her back His other arm slipped under her knees.

With a soft grunt he picked her up holding her like he would a bride before crossing the threshold. He groaned softly as he pushed the mattress off the bed with his foot. He was breathing deeply the cut in his side was making her feel like she weighed a ton. He soon he had the mattress laying half laying on the floor. He slowly walked over to the other side of the bed laying her down gently her head at the foot of the bed. He knelt down gripping the bed pulling her it slowly down to the ground. "There you go now you can roll over and search threw the books. "He was breathing heavily his stomach flexing as he breathed deep. Slowly his hands began buttoning his shirt. " You need anything else before I go make my rounds?"
 
"You shouldn't do things like that... Captain," she said, glaring at him. "You could have opened your wound again picking me up. And while I would take great pleasure in watching you wince and flinch again, I don't think the good doctor would be to happy I like that happen." It amazed her that he was so ready and willing to do things for her. But why? She was no more that his captive. Perhaps he felt bad? Maybe a good man did reside in him and he felt bad about letting her get hurt. "Thank you, but I don't think I need anything more for now." She leaned over and started to look over the books she had to pick from.
 
He had only a couple dozen books just things he had grabbed during raids. He looked down at her nervously before he left the room. His mind seemed almost trapped in that room on ways that he could make her happy and win her back. He milled aimlessly threw the ship making sure everything was okay and people where working well. He had not slept much last night his dreams had been so haunting that he would wake up and look at her just to make sure she was really there. Even the sleep he did get was not restful the cut on his side made sure of that. He went to the wheel and spoke to Nathan thanking him for being so helpful. "Nathan... we are going back to that city. After we stop here in port." Nathan looked at him like he had seen a ghost. "Sir we cant return there we just raided it!" Stephen nodded looking at him his heart was weighing on him so heavily that he had to go make it right. "We wont. I will be taking a life boat and my things and heading to shore. Your going to be the captain. "He spoke softly looking at him."I want your word you will never bring this ship back to that port. You give me that and in 5 days you will have this ship and her crew." It had been nearly 2 hours since he left the cabin and he new he needed to be going back to checking on her soon but he needed Nathan's response before he left. "If you refuse i will give the ship to Adam." He nodded and thanked Stephen swearing the ship would never return.
 
Laine glanced over the books. A random array of different styles, topics. Novels, journals, books of information. A book of maps. Not many she could read for her own enjoyment, but enough to last her a week or two. The thought of staying cooped up in this cabin for a week or two made her groan. She would go batty. This cabin was stuffy and warm. Laine didn't realize that the room was not really either of those. She didn't know the early warning signs of fever. Picking a book, she laid back and began to read, until she was weary and closed her eyes for a nap. The room just seemed to be getting warmer and warmer...
 
Stephen got into the room not long after she fell asleep. Stephen moved to the desk taking out his mothers pendant putting it back on. He figured it time to put it back on again. After all the fighting he was starting to miss his little piece of her. Stephen moved slowly to lay down he was exhausted and needed to get some rest. He moved carefully to lay down next to her he did not want to spend another night in the chair if she wanted to complain he would just deal with that later. As he settled in he reached over and put his hand on her stomach lightly. He opened his eyes looking at her she felt warm. Once she he felt that he put his hand on her head she was on fire. He got up running to the door yelling."Get the doc up her now! " He ran over to the side of the boat throwing a bucket and string overboard getting some ocean water. He ran back in ripping off his shirt sticking it in the water soaking it with the cool sea water, before he laid it over her chest and neck. He had seen his share of fevers in his day he knew he needed to try to keep her cool.
 
"Mmmm," she groaned a little as he put the cool cloth on her. It felt like a relief from the heat and she welcomed it, even in her slumber state. The doctor came rushing in. He didn't need to ask what the problem was once he saw how he was wetting her down. He reached his own hand out and felt for himself. "Your instincts are good Stephen. You did right. To get the water and-"

"Stephen...?" she whispered softly, coming too. Her eyes opening. Had she heard the doctor right? Had he called someone Stephen? When her eyes opened, the first thing she saw was the locket around his neck and she knew it right away. She would not ever forget it. Reaching up her hand, she felt it to make sure it was real. And then her eyes rose to see who wore it. It had to be him. It had to be... "Captain?" She questioned a moment, looking into his eyes. Looking into the eyes of- "Stephen? Oh." The realization washed over her like the cool water her dappled along her brow. "Oh my God, Stephen. It's you isn't it? Your alive?" The smile on her face was so real and sincere. "You're alive."

A moment later, her eyes were closed again, slipping back into her fevered slumber. The doctor forced some medicine down her throat then and looked to Stephen. "It's going to be a long couple of days for the three of us."
 
Stephen looked at the doctor for a moment with an angered look when she woke saying his name. He had wanted to be the one to tell her his name. Now she knew who he was but she did not seem to be disgusted. He did not understand an hour ago she hated him. He was stunned as she seemed to be happy he was the boy she had loved.

"Doctor we should be in port buy lunch tomorrow is there anything i can to to help?" His skin was potted with goose bumps. He was cold from the water and the breeze blowing threw the room. He shivered a bit as he kept the cloth wet dabbing her with the cool cloth. "Doctor I don't care if i don't sleep for a month as long as you keep her alive. " He leaned down whispering into her ear trying to make her fight harder he whispered. " I have come to far, threw to much to lose you now. You cant die on me now you get health so i can take you home. " He sad in a soft loving tone trying to reassure her he was going to make sure she lived.
 
"You need you your rest as well lad. Stay up for a month and you will end up just as ill as her. You don't look well enough as is it. This stress will be the death of you." The doctor went to the windows, closing the curtains over the broken pains of glass, tying them tight. They wiped in the wind, but he took a number of knifes from Stephen's treasure trove of weapons. He ruined the curtains, but he used them to pin the curtains down. It did not eliminate the wind, but it lessened it. "The cold air will only make it worse."

The doctor came over and took the wet shirt from his hand, "You lay back. You need your rest captain. I will tend to her for now. In a few hours, after you have had some rest, I will let you tend her once again." He re-wet the cloth and dappled it along her head, "I will try and keep the fever down. If it does not go down by morning, we will have no choice but to break it ourselves." He kept watching Stephen, making sure he followed the orders doctor gave him. "If you want to make sure she is health, you cannot take her from this ship until the wound on her leg is fully closed. I know how to tend it better then most. I cannot guarantee a doctor on an island that is normally peaceful will be as well trained in wounds such as this one." He knew it was not going to be news he would like, but it was indeed best for the girl. And for him. It would give his wound time to heal as well. He refused to let either of his patients go until they both had his seal of approval.
 
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