"Of course. You can stay here if you like. I can make sure that Jacob keeps you safe. But I figured you’d like to have a bath as badly as I do, and a real meal." A little smile pulled at the corner of Allison lips.

"A bath would be nice…and maybe some fresh fruit?" A hopeful note crept into her voice and Morgan smiled and nodded.

"Absolutely." Morgan set about packing a satchel with her log and other personal items that she never left on ship. Jacob knocked on the door, coming to retrieve her trunk for her. He took it up to the deck, murmuring to Morgan as he left that Allison’s trunks were already at the Inn. Morgan smiled to herself, pleased that she’d kept her head enough to have her companion’s trunks retrieved. Admit it, you’d love to watch her go around in your shirts indefinitely, she said to herself. Finally ready, she turned to the woman waiting patiently in the chair.

"Can you carry this for me?" she asked. Pointing to the small trunk next to the door, she explained. "I have to get that, and it’s pretty heavy. And will you blow out the lamp after I’m out the door?" Allison nodded and took the satchel from Morgan, their fingers brushing as she did. Morgan clenched her jaw down on the jolt of sensation that the innocent touch caused and turned to the trunk. Allison went to the desk and stood next to the lamp, getting ready to extinguish it. Morgan hefted the trunk and carefully maneuvered it out the door. She didn’t want to chance leaving it on the ship, and considering the amount of gold in it, she also didn’t want to chance someone getting greedy. As she walked down the hall she heard Allison blow out the lamp and the thump of the satchel as she moved through the door.

The door to the deck was open, so she carefully twisted through it to find Jacob waiting on the other side, offering to help. The two of them moved over to the railing and set the trunk in a sling, then slowly lowered it to the waiting boat below. A rope ladder hung over the side, and, taking the satchel from Allison, Morgan swung herself up and over the railing and quickly made her way down to the boat. Balancing easily in the small craft, she watched as Jacob helped Allison over the railing. The redhead slowly worked her way down the ladder, carefully placing each foot. As she reached the bottom, Morgan reached up and lifted her down into the boat, Allison twisting in her arms as she did, causing the boat to rock. Morgan and the crewman sitting at the oars fought to balance the boat, and by the time it was Morgan had Allison wrapped around her. The crewman grinned at her from behind Allison and winked knowingly, and Morgan returned the grin with a soft laugh. Slowly lowering the two of them to the seat she kept the woman in her arms, rubbing her back softly. Between her two trunks there wasn’t much more room in the boat for Allison to move away, so, telling herself it was for appearances she indulged in the feel of Allison in her arms. She relaxed as the boat moved quickly towards the shore, and Allison tucked her head against her shoulder.

As the boat reached the dock Morgan spied a carriage waiting on the waterfront, the Inn’s logo blazoned on the side. Shaking her head to herself, she steeled herself for a confrontation as she helped Allison out of the boat. The crewman lashed the boat to the dock and helped her wrestle the trunks out and up to the waiting carriage. The driver swung down from the seat and they lashed the cargo in place, then held the door open for the two of them. Morgan bid goodnight to the crewman as he headed for the pub and swung up into the gratefully empty carriage. Allison sat on the seat in the back so Morgan took the one facing her.

"Are you always received so lavishly, Morgan?" Allison asked, motioning to the rich interior of the carriage. Morgan laughed and shook her head.

"No, not normally. This belongs to the owner of the Harbor Inn…and I’m assuming she made some astute business decisions in my absence and is trying to show them off."

"She?" Allison inquired, an odd note in her voice. Morgan looked out the window, watching the familiar streets pass.

"Hmm….yes…she. Carolyn is her name. She’s operated the Inn since her late husband was killed in a bar fight four or so years ago. She’s…ah....quite the woman," Morgan answered. Allison didn’t get a chance to ask another question as the carriage rolled to a halt in front of a large building. Morgan opened the door and let herself out before the driver could get around and handed Allison down. She instructed the driver to take the two trunks up to her room and dropped a gold piece in his palm. He nodded respectfully and set to work on the lashings as she guided Allison up the stairs. The tall doors stood open to let the evening breeze in, and the lobby was quiet. Music and laughter drifted from the bar down the hall, but otherwise the Inn was peaceful. It was set far enough back from the Harbor to attract a better crowd, which was the reason Morgan chose to stay here if she stayed in town. She stopped briefly by the front desk and collected the key to her room then steered Allison towards the stairs further back.

Morgan’s hope to avoid seeing Carolyn before getting Allison settled died as her name was called from behind them. Turning slowly, she found the voluptuous woman sweeping across the lobby, eyes blazing.

"Were you going to turn in with out seeing me, Captain Morgan?" She said, a dangerous smile on her face. Her eyes flicked from Morgan to Allison, then settled back on Morgan with a look of expectation.

"Hello, Carolyn, dear, how are you. I fully intended to see you this evening, but I do believe you would enjoy my company better if I could take a bath first." Morgan watched Carolyn carefully, wary of what she might do. It was well known to everyone that Carolyn viewed Morgan as hers, and she was a viciously jealous creature. "Why don’t you have water sent up for two baths, and let me get clean. Then I will come see you in your parlor." She let her voice take on a deeper note and Carolyn nodded.

"Yes…yes…that would be fine. You’ll have dinner with me then." The woman announced. "Oh…and I’ll have something sent up for her." Carolyn turned and swept away, snapping her fingers at a couple of servants. Morgan turned and started back up the stairs, shaking her head. Allison lagged behind for a moment then caught up, following Morgan to their room. Morgan caught the spark in those green eyes as she glanced back, and had the feeling she was in a dangerous position between the two women. Reaching the end of the hallway she turned into a small alcove and opened the door there. Motioning Allison in front of her, she followed her through the door and locked it behind her.

Allison was standing in the middle of the room looking around her in shock. Her two trunks sat on the far side of the huge bed, and a fire crackled in the fireplace. The room was lit with lamps, and a bowl of fruit sat on a side table. A couple of chairs sat in front of the fire and full bookcases flanked the door. Morgan smiled at the look on Allison’s face.

"But you threw them overboard," she exclaimed, pointing at her trunks. Morgan chuckled softly.