A Pirate's Life for Me 6

A Pirate's Life for Me Part 6

"So- he's someone you knew before?" Sally asked, leaning back against the rail as Hilde joined them. Duo wondered what she had been up to- she was smiling like a cat that had just gotten the cream.

"I never met him. I knew his father- and I remember seeing his mother once," Duo frowned a little. Heero hadn't said anything about what had happened to his mother. "But we never met. We were supposed to- later on- but... it didn't work out that way."

Lucrezia smiled, trying to distract him. "And so fate puts you back together."

Duo snorted. "Hardly. They were looking for me- I daresay they would've found me eventually..."

"Maybe," Sally shrugged, "and maybe not. Still, it's remarkably good fortune- I feel better knowing we don't have to worry about a possible problem that close to you."

"Maybe," Lucrezia sniffed, "just because his family has been loyal for..." she paused and looked at Duo.

"Centuries," he supplied and Sally grinned.

"Centuries," Lu said, ignoring Sally, "doesn't mean that he's going to be too. You've had a few close shaves Captain."

"And yet you were all willing to toss him in my bed when he was a complete stranger." Duo rolled his eyes.

"I didn't toss," Lu protested, "that was Hilde."

"It's perfectly safe as long as he's tied." Hilde retorted and watched her Captain turn red.

"You and your rope," Sally shook her head.

"What about it?" Hilde lifted an eyebrow. "I haven't gotten any complaints..."

"I'm not worried about it," Duo interjected hastily. "Heero hasn't shown any sign of going against his family's code. It's the other one I'm worried about- Barton."

Sally nodded. "His story is a little odd. I can't put my finger on why... it just is..."

Hilde tilted her head to the side. "Should we make him talk?"

"Not yet- he's not close to healed, and if he is telling the truth we could do him serious damage." Sally shook her head. "Cook's keeping an eye on him."

Lu huffed. "I'm not sure that's an unbiased eye- Cook seems quite taken with him."

"So we put someone else in there- or rotate the crew through on duties. Anything that won't look suspicious." Duo rubbed his forehead. "Though honestly, I doubt Cook is going to sit by and let him get away with anything- taken or not."

"Good point." Lu yielded. "Still- we'll have to send some feelers out- see if there's been any news about those ships or a pirate named Whitebeard."

"We'll have to check with Howard- if there is such a pirate, he'll know about it." Duo looked towards the town, hoping his crew was at least trying to stay out of trouble.

Hilde nudged him in the ribs. "I think I'm going to take a stroll through town tonight," she said with a grin. "Just to make sure the ladies are behaving."

"Sounds good to me," Duo grinned back at her. "Want me to go with you?"

Hilde shook her head. "Nah- I can handle this." She winked at him. "Before I forget, I did want to tell you that Heero was looking exhausted-"

"Not surprising," Sally shook her head. "He was helping out today with all those hangovers!"

"And he was heading below decks to sleep," Hilde continued.

Duo felt a small pang of disappointment, but he couldn't blame Heero for being tired... though why would he go...

"So I sent him to your cabin instead." Hilde finished. Duo raised an eyebrow at her.

"Did you now?"

She smiled sweetly back at him. "You mean you don't want him in your bed? Cause if you don't there's several of the crew who'd be willing to pay..."

"Scat," Duo growled at her and she laughed as she headed for the ramp.

"Have a good evening Captain!"

Sally was giggling and even Lu looked amused. "Don't start," Duo said and they both shook their heads.

"Not a word Captain." Lucrezia slipped her arm around Sally's. "We'll just bid you a pleasant evening."

Duo turned back to the railing, shaking his head. Why had he thought it would be a good idea to have women for his crew? Or thought that he could hide the fact he'd bedded his cabin boy from them?

A few minutes later- once he was sure the deck was somewhat clear, he turned and headed for his cabin. If Heero didn't want to sleep in his bed, Duo wasn't going to force him- though the thought bothered him. Heero had said- hell, he'd been willing- more than willing. So why would he try and avoid Duo's bed?

Duo entered his cabin, letting his eyes adjust to the light. Heero had left only two of the lanterns burning- one of Duo's desk, the other at the head of the bed.

Duo took a deep breath. Heero was stretched out face down on the bed, the sheets pushed down to his hips, the lantern light illuminating the smooth golden skin of his back... His eyes were closed, his breathing deep and even. Asleep... but so tempting.

It would be a shame to wake him even if he did prefer to sleep in the hammocks, Duo thought as he tugged off his coat. Heero shifted a little, the sheets sliding down a bit- and Duo turned his back to the bed. The man was exhausted, he reminded himself.

He sat down at his desk and pulled out his charts. They were going to be headed for familiar territory on the next run- maybe if they were lucky there would be a ship or two heading out of the Caribbean they could catch...

Studying the charts, he pulled the lantern closer, trying to figure out the best route to take... there were several... but the navy liked to linger in some of the areas... he didn't want to run into them...

The soft touch on his shoulder made him jump.

"Sorry Captain." Heero's voice was soft.

Duo cast a quick glance at him, intending to send him back to bed- and instead reached up, pulling Heero down onto his lap. Not his fault that Heero hadn't pulled on his breeches again...

"I see you didn't forget where we stopped earlier," he purred, his hands lingering on Heero's sleep warmed skin.

"How could I?" Heero smiled faintly for a moment. "I'm very sorry about just... falling asleep in here. I know it was presumptuous of me. I did try to go to the hammocks, but Hilde said..."

Duo felt a rush of relief. "I can guess what she said. I'll bet it involved rope?"

"It did." Heero sounded amused.

"Woman is obsessed." Duo rolled his eyes as he caressed Heero's thigh. Not that it wouldn't be fun... He pushed the thought out of his mind- for the moment. "But don't apologize. I want you to sleep here- with me."

Heero turned his head just enough to catch Duo's mouth with his. "Speaking of- weren't we in bed earlier when we had to stop...?"

"So we were," Duo stood up, bringing Heero with him. A moment more and he had Heero lying back in the feather mattress.

"You need to teach me how you move that fast," Heero complained as Duo kicked off his boots.

"I'd be happy to- though I plan on moving a bit slower for the rest of the evening..."

~*~

Heero woke up and eyed the angle of the sun coming in the window. Most of the crew wouldn't be back yet, but no doubt Quatre was up and would like some help getting breakfast.

He slipped out of bed, washed and dressed quickly.

"Sneaking out?" Duo sat up and lifted an eyebrow at him.

"Breakfast." Heero answered tying his shirt closed.

"Ah," Duo squinted at the sun. "Good idea. While you're there- do me a favor and tell Barton that the crew agreed to his desire to join us."

Heero nodded.

"One thing though-" Duo frowned. "Anytime you are in there with him- keep an eye on him. There's something about his story that doesn't quite add up."

"Yes sir," Heero had thought the same thing. "Should I tell Cook?"

Duo shook his head. "No. Cook seems to be a bit... prejudiced. Speaking of Cook... will you please let him know that now that you and Barton are on the crew he may as well stop the cross dressing- unless he likes it- in which case it's all good with me."

Heero closed his jaw with a snap. "You... knew?"

Duo looked amused. "Of course I knew. It was obvious."

"But he... and his sisters... they think..."

"They think I don't know- yeah, I'm aware, but really the whole crew knows he's male- no point in hiding it anymore." Duo shrugged. "He's one of the best cooks I've had on a ship. I'm not complaining."

Heero nodded. "Very good sir." Shaking his head he stepped out onto the deck.

Only to have several feet of steel appear under his nose.

"Heero," said Hilde.

"Ma'am?" Heero eyes the blade warily. "Is something wrong?"

"Not at all," Hilde gave him a feral smile. "Just letting you know that this arrived for you this morning..."

Heero noticed that there was a piece of paper stuck to the end of the sword.

"Did Howard send me a note?"

"Not unless he wears French perfume and changed his name to Lena."

Lena? Oh hell no...

Heero snatched the note off the sword and read it.

Heero- I couldn't abandon you to such a horrible fate! I arranged a rescue. Please try and meet me at the Wicked Pig tonight. Lena

He swore. "Please tell me she at least sealed this?"