"Miss, I don't know that anyone can handle that viper. You just watch out around 'er, fer the Cap'n's sake if not fer yer own." Allison frowned a little at Jacob's remark, but he had already turned to the small trunk sitting by the fireplace. "I am jes gonna get t'trunk o'er to the pub afore the Cap'n starts to worry." He hefted the trunk and bowed his head to her then left. Allison stared after him for a moment then went over and locked the door. Returning to her chair she picked her book up and opened it, but her eyes wouldn't focus on the words. Sighing she closed it and stared off into the distance, wishing Morgan would return soon.

Morgan strode down the street towards the pub, an unbidden grin curving her lips. The negotiations with Barnes had gone amazingly well, and she'd gotten significantly more than she had anticipated. She'd slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder and it hung heavy with gold at her side. Dividing out the take would be extremely pleasurable this time. As the pub came into view she started to see some of her men approaching from the other district. Laughing and joking they let her precede them into the dark interior of the building, and followed her to the private room in the back. The rest of the crew was already waiting there, and Jacob stood in the corner guarding the trunk. The men let out a cheer as she thumped the bag down on the table in the middle of the room and she grinned at them.

Sitting down at the chair that they reserved for her, she had Jacob set the trunk next to her and set about tallying everything up. As the riches piled up on the table in front of her, the men started talking about what they would do while they were ashore, and how long they'd be able to afford to stay. Morgan laughed every so often as one of them got outrageous in his plans, but continued to work at the piles with Jacob helping at her side. Finally, the last gold piece was placed, and Morgan sat back with a happy sigh. Her crew applauded and whistled, eyeing the evenly divided piles happily. One by one they came up and gave Morgan their pouches, letting her fill them to bursting with the take. Slowly the room emptied until Jacob was the only one left. Morgan sat back in the chair and looked quietly across the table at her first mate.

"We did well this time, eh Cap'n?" Morgan nodded.

"We sure did, Jacob. You should have seen Barnes counting out that gold. You would have sworn that every piece was going to kill him." They both laughed. Morgan took the last pile and pushed it across the table, reaching down into the trunk next to her to add another handful to the top. Jacob flashed a big grin at her and transferred the coins to his pouch. As he did, he glanced up at Morgan.

"Cap'n, jes thought ya should know that woman was up ta visit Miss Allison." Morgan looked up sharply at Jacob.

"What did she want?" Jacob shook his head and shrugged.

"Don't know, Ca-," Morgan cut Jacob off.

"Now Jacob, we're not on the ship." Jacob chuckled and nodded.

"Aye, Morgan, aye. I jes get so used t'it. I don't know why she was up buggin' the gal, but I ken be sure it was fer no good." Morgan shook her head, frowning.

"She didn't say anything about Allison last night. In fact, she didn't even ask who she was. Who knows what she has up her sleeve." Morgan stared at the tabletop pensively. Jacob cleared his throat.

"What are ye gonna do 'bout Miss Allison?" He asked, taking a chair across from her. Morgan sighed and scrubbed her hands across her face.

"I don't know Jacob. I have the note...it's in the bag, but damn I don't want to send it. It's strange, my friend. I find myself enjoying her company, and she plays one hell of a game of chess." Morgan drifted off, sinking her head into her hands. Jacob watched her with concerned eyes.

"Ya have ta send it, Morgan. The crew'll be expecting ya to be callin' them t'gether for that in a few weeks." Morgan nodded.

"I know, I know. But....," Morgan looked up at Jacob to find him smiling sadly at her. She shook her head and leaned down to pull out the letter. Sighing in resignation she tossed it across the table to him. "Send it with the next courier ship, Jacob. I know that I'll find excuses not to."

"Ya gonna take her out to yer place?" He asked, tucking the letter into his belt. Frowning, she started gathering things together.

"Hmmm, I don't think so. I was planning on staying in town, but I might head up there if things get too tense with Carolyn." Jacob nodded, then picked up the trunk for her. "Will you drop that off at the Inn and let her know that I'll be there soon? I need to go make arrangements to get the ship into dry dock." Jacob nodded, and with a parting wave he ducked out the door. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, Morgan left too, leaving a coin on the bar for the owner.

Allison thanked Jacob as he left, shutting and locking the door behind him. Sighing, she paced the room, the hours spent by her self starting to chafe. She was about halfway through her book and had to stop as the words started to blur in front of her eyes. Stretching her arms above her she yawned, wishing she had taken a nap during the heat of the day. Walking over to the window she gazed out, admiring the view that the room had out over the street and at the harbor. She could see the small ship that she had started her voyage on tied to the dock with men swarming over it, and, further out in the deeper waters of the harbor, she could see the lean shape of Morgan's boat. Wrapping her arms around herself she looked down on the street, watching the people walking by. A couple of rather seedy looking men leaned against a lamp post across the way, and Allison watched in curiosity as Carolyn scurried across the street to talk to them. Her hands flickered in excited motions and one of the men made calming gestures. Something else was said, then Carolyn shook her finger at the two men. One of them laughed and batted her finger away and they left her standing there, striding down the street and disappearing around the corner.

Allison watched them disappear and caught sight of a familiar form come around the corner at the same time. A smile curved her lips as she watched the captain stride confidently up the street, then it disappeared as Carolyn stepped out from the shadows where she had been standing. The blonde wrapped her arms around Morgan's neck and lifted her lips up to be captured in a passionate kiss. Carolyn pulled away and asked something. Morgan shook her head in answer to whatever it was that was said and started to walk away. Carolyn bustled after her, her mouth still moving, until they got close enough to the building that her sultry voice carried up to the window.