A Pirate's Life for Me Part 5

"Do I... know you?" Heero asked and the old man cackled.

"Not that you'd remember boy, but I visited your family once or twice. You're the spitting image of your father." The old man shook his head. "I heard about his death and I'd wondered when you'd manage to find Duo- it's not in your family to give up."

Heero snorted. "I nearly did- Father's death wasn't exactly an accident. I had to lay low for a bit."

"I'd heard that too. At least he managed to take one of the bastards with him."

Heero nodded, giving Duo an anxious glance out of the corner of his eye. The Captain was still staring at him, though his mouth was now closed in a tight line.

"Two of them actually- though we didn't know it at the time."

"Ah- you'll have to tell me all about it! Come in, come in," the old man backed away from the door, waving them inside. Heero paused waiting for Duo to go first. Duo's frown deepened slightly and then he snorted. Heero followed him inside, wondering why Duo suddenly seemed so upset.

Heero blinked once he was inside the door. The outside of the house looked run down and awful, but the inside was richer looking that any sultan's palace.

The old man poked Duo's shoulder as he ushered them into an opulent office. "So, going to tell me how you managed to find Heero Yuy?"

Duo draped himself over a chair with a scowl. "I didn't know I had found him at all. That's the first time I've heard his whole name. I didn't know I had been tricked into taking the last of the Yuys on board."

"Tricked?!" Heero nearly squawked. "You're the one that wanted me to be the cabin boy!"

"You didn't tell me you were a Yuy!"

"I didn't know you were Maxwell until after I was on board!"

"Am I supposed to believe that?"

"You honestly believe I made your group of females kidnap Relena just so you would be forced to take me on board as your cabin boy? I wish I could plan that well!"

Duo opened his mouth and closed it again.

The old man burst into laughter. "It's just like listening to your fathers!"

"Shut up Howard," Duo grumbled. "You know perfectly well I didn't want the Yuys running around after me. You were supposed to have sent messages telling them to seek safety and forget all about me!"

"I did!" The old man protested. "Not my fault this lad's father didn't listen."

Heero snorted. "Seek safety? What safety? We were in just as much danger as you were- are still actually- and my father was not going to abandon you." He met Duo's gaze apologetically. "He felt bad enough that he wasn't there when your father needed him the most..."

"Your father had his own life to attend to-" Duo protested. "Trust me- my father felt awful for taking him away from your mother and you as much as he did."

Heero bit his lip. "It was his choice."

Duo was silent for a moment, his head bent, expression hidden. "It doesn't have to be yours though- I did tell you that you could get off the ship here and make your way back to your home."

He had- but hell if Heero was going to go. Especially now.

Duo was still talking: "You don't have to stay with me. I release you from your vow of service to my family, Heero Yuy. You can go home." He looked up and gave Heero a half-smile.

Heero knew what his father would say to such an offer. He knew what his father would expect him to say.

But he also realized that Duo wouldn't accept that answer. He'd figure out some way to get rid of Heero... and that was the last thing Heero wanted.

He thought fast. When in doubt- go with the truth. "With all due respect, milord, I don't have a home. I haven't had one for a long time."

"You were in that town..."

"I was working for the blacksmith- trying to lay low and build up funds. It wasn't my home. Like I said before- after the Lady Relena decided that I was a little more interesting than her fiancé it wasn't a comfortable place for me to stay." Heero sighed. "I would've left there within a month anyway."

Duo looked up and Heero couldn't read his expression.

Howard laughed. "Ah, stop trying to be noble m'boy! You're stuck with him, and I for one will be happy he's there to watch your back."

Duo snorted. "My crew does that fine."

"The same crew that came through this place like a mini-whirlwind last night? Did you hear what they did to the preacher?"

Duo covered his face with his hands and groaned. "I don't want to know!"

Heero was surprised when Howard winked at him before launching into a description of the ladies' activities. So, apparently Howard thought it was a good idea to keep Heero close to Duo too. Heero wondered if the old man had heard anything about the whereabouts of that damned traitorous bastard.

He wondered too if Duo had any intention of seeking revenge. Not that it mattered- Heero was fairly sure he wasn't the only one looking for the lost heir of the Maxwell's- and Duo wasn't exactly hiding...

"I don't want to know anymore!" Duo held up a hand. "I'll talk to them when I get back. Do you have cargo for us?"

"Yes, but not for a week. Can you keep your group tame until then?"

"I'll try." Duo looked at the clock on the mantelpiece. "Most of them should be back. I'll just go and have a chat with them."

Heero got to his feet when Duo did. He had no intention of being left behind for any reason.

"You'll come back and see me soon?" Howard asked Heero at the door. "I'd like to hear about your father."

"Of course," Heero bowed respectfully and followed Duo out of the house.

Duo stalked silently through the streets. Heero waited, sure that the Captain was going to say something to him- and hoped it wasn't something about him leaving.

They were almost to the ship when Duo finally spoke.

"I wish you had said something to me sooner about your identity."

"I did," Heero gave him a faint smile. "Of course, you were out of your head with fever, but at least it stopped you from thinking I was an enemy."

Duo blinked. "You did?"

Heero nodded. "I did. I reminded you that a Yuy would never harm a Maxwell."

"Of course not- loyal to death." Duo said softly. "I'm sorry about your father."

Heero's smile widened. "Don't be. He wanted to go out fighting and he did. He told me it was the only way he'd be able to face your father in the afterlife- having taken a few of the bastards with him."

Duo's lips curved slightly. "That sounds like your father. I don't remember him that well, but he was always kind to me when he visited."

They had reached the ramp of the ship. Hilde was waiting by the rail. Duo looked at her and frowned. "Don't tell me- I already heard about the preacher."

She grinned. "I knew you would- and I expect you'd like to have a chat with the crew? I'm afraid most of them are nursing rather bad hangovers... but I can call them on deck for you."

Duo shook his head. "In a few hours maybe. If their heads are pounding they won't hear me. We'll call them out at sunset."

Hilde nodded. "Very good, Captain." She gave Heero a wink when he passed her. "Glad to hear you're working out so well," she whispered and Heero felt himself turn red.

Much to his relief the rest of the crew on deck seemed more intent on staying out of their Captain's way as he headed towards his cabin. Heero's blush was gone by the time Duo stepped inside.

"Is there anything I can do for you right now, Captain? Or should I go help Cook?" He asked, stopping on the threshold.

Duo turned and regarded him thoughtfully. "I think so. Come in and close the door."

Heero did as he was told, as Duo seated himself on the edge of his bed.

"I have a question for you."

"Sir."

"I expect you to answer it honestly."

"Of course." Heero wondered what was going on. Duo was watching him carefully, his expression guarded.

"Last night... was that because you're a Yuy? Were you acting out of duty?"

Heero nearly bit his tongue. "No sir. My father told me that I should be loyal and true to you- but he didn't say anything about that being a part of the duty I owed. That was..." he paused, trying to come up with the right words. "That was... because I wanted to... do that with you."

Duo's smile warmed him. "I don't suppose I could persuade you to do it again?" He asked and Heero laughed.

"I rather think you could..." Heero moved closer and Duo reached out a hand, snagging the front of Heero's shirt.

"Ah, well then... let me begin to make my case..."

Heero was really upset when halfway through Duo's case someone pounded on the door. Duo didn't move though. He simply lifted his head away from Heero's neck and growled something at the door.

"Sorry to interrupt Captain!" Hilde's cheerful voice rang through the door. "But the stranger's awake and talking! You said you wanted to be informed..."

Heero felt Duo sigh. "I'll be right there!" He leaned down to Heero's ear. "Don't forget where we stopped."

"Don't think I could..." Heero answered and Duo chuckled.

"Right." He pulled himself away from Heero and reached for his shirt. Heero gave himself a mental shake and got to his feet. He dressed quickly enough so that he could help Duo with his coat and then followed the Captain to the galley.

The stranger was sitting up in bed, Sally on one side of him, Quatre sitting at the foot of the bed.

"Captain," the man said, his voice scraped and raw-sounding. "Thank you for the rescue."

Duo nodded. "Of course. Can you tell us how you came to be on that lifeboat?"

The man nodded. "I am Trowa Barton. I am...was first mate on the Queen Anne's Revenge. We were attacked by the Golden Hind outside of the Five Ports. Do you know who sails her?"

Duo shook his head. "I've never heard of that one."

The man frowned. "You will. Her captain is Whitebeard- and he's merciless. I was the only one to escape- and that's because I was knocked into the lifeboat." He reached up and touched a bruise on his forehead.

"What's his flag?"

"The skull and an anchor."

"We'll watch for it. In the meantime we are in Sanctuary. Do you wish to be put ashore? There are many ships looking for crew here."

"Don't we have a place for him Captain?" Quatre spoke up. Duo lifted an eyebrow in surprise but he looked back at the man in the bed.

"I didn't mean to be inhospitable, but my crew as you can see- is mostly female. Most men won't work on such a ship."

The man nodded. "Your crew has been kind to me. I would be happy to work with them- if they'll have me."

The Captain nodded. "We'll see. We're at this port for a week as it is- we can at least give you this time to recover."

"Thank you Captain."

Duo nodded and turned on his heel. "I need to see Hilde and Lucrezia in my cabin," he said to Heero.

Heero nodded and went to fetch them. Afterwards he went to help Quatre in the kitchen. Most of the crew needed some kind of liquid- and a few of them needed a hand to the rail as well. Heero was exhausted by sunset, and so he listened to the Captain's lecture with half an ear, somewhat amused when most of the crew- once Hilde set up a sentry schedule- again left the ship for the town. He hoped the preacher had the sense to hide himself for a bit.

Duo was deep in conversation with Lucrezia and Sally by the rail, watching as his crew headed out into town.

Heero suppressed a yawn and automatically began heading towards his hammock.

Hilde blocked his way.

"Going somewhere?" She asked, eyes twinkling. "I do believe you need to be headed the other way."

Heero blinked at her. "Right. His dinner- I forgot."

He turned towards the galley only to be stopped by her hand on his shoulder.

"Not that m'dear. You're dead on your feet. You can go sleep- but it had better be in there-" she nodded towards the cabin.

"He hasn't asked..."

"Nor should he." She nudged him towards the cabin. "Go and take your place in his bed. Otherwise I'll get out the rope again..."

Heero deemed it wiser not to argue. He headed towards the cabin and hoped the Captain didn't throw him out for the presumption...

TBC...

 

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