"She’s fine, Mor. ‘N fact, da foreman says she should be all done by the end of next week." Allison let Morgan slide her down off the horse and set her carefully on the ground, quirking a grin at her as she did. The redhead smiled up at Jacob as he reached up and started pulling the saddlebags down. "I’ll bring these up to the room for ya, Mor’," he said, handing the key over as he did. Morgan smiled and nodded at him then reached her hand out to Allison.

"Coming?" she asked softly. Allison nodded and tucked her hand in the captain’s and let her self be led away from the horse. Morgan smiled over her shoulder at her as she preceded Allison up the stairs and Allison found herself smiling back at the older woman, looking forward to spending the evening immersed in her lover. Morgan opened the door to their room and motioned her in and Allison found a delighted smile curving her lips as she found the room even more welcoming than the first time they arrived. All of the added luxuries from the Stromwells were still there as well as a few more, including a bowl of fresh fruit and Allison’s trunks. Morgan let out a low chuckle as she shut the door behind her then moved up behind Allison and wrapped her arms around her waist. Allison leaned back into the embrace with a soft sigh and closed her eyes to the window in front of her, willing the sight of all the ships in the harbor away.

"Allison?" She turned around in the circle of Morgan’s arms and gazed up into the captain’s brilliant blue eyes.

"Yes, Morgan?" she answered. The corner of Morgan’s mouth quirked a little and the older woman lifted a hand to cup the back of her head. Allison’s eyes fluttered shut as Morgan pulled her closer and leaned down to claim her lips in a passionate, searing kiss, her blood loud in her ears as the captain teased her tongue against hers. She melted into Morgan’s arms with a moan and wrapped her arms around the taller woman, flattening her hands against her back as she returned the kiss with quickly rising passion. Morgan slid her hands under her shirt and started caressing her back, sending shivers of anticipation through her as her thumbs grazed her sides.

* Knock Knock*

A soft sigh of frustration trickled from her lips as Morgan pulled away with an apologetic smile and Allison turned towards the window, trying to calm her ragged breathing as Morgan answered the door. She heard Jacob speak to his captain in a low voice and a soft thud as he set the bags on the floor. Morgan chuckled at whatever he said then bid him goodnight. Allison turned around as she heard the captain throw the locks smiling when she did. Morgan leaned back against the door, her eyes dark and her hair rumpled, and Allison fought off a blush as she realized that she was the cause. The last of the sun’s rays faded as they stared at each other across the room and Allison turned towards the lamp on the table.

"Don’t light that one, Allison." Morgan’s voice was suddenly close and she turned to find her right behind her.

"Why not?" she asked quietly. Morgan pulled her close and started moving them towards the bed.

"I don’t think we’ll need it, do you?" Allison laughed softly in the darkening room as she felt her legs bump against the edge of the bed.

"No…I suppose we don’t, but I would like to remember this evening fully, Morgan." She saw the captain tilt her head at her then heard a soft chuckle before the older woman stepped away. Soon they were bathed in the warm glow of the lamplight and Morgan moved back over to her, a smile tugging at her mouth.

"Better, Miss Allison?" The redhead let the passion she was feeling show on her face and saw Morgan react to it as she wrapped her arms around her.

"Oh, absolutely, Captain."

Morgan slowly lowered Allison to the bed as she kissed her, drawing a soft whimper from the other woman as she teased her lips with her tongue. The redhead boldly pulled her down on top of her, twining their legs together and flattening her hands against her back. The captain resolutely shoved the sadness that threatened to surface away and concentrated on the woman looking up at her, the same struggle visible in the shadows of her brilliant green eyes. Morgan brushed kisses along Allison's jaw then nibbled gently at the base of Allison's neck. The young woman slid her hands up along her sides and brushed her thumbs across her nipples, making Morgan draw a sharp breath. Lifting herself up she looked down into Allison's eyes, a warmth spreading from the pit of her stomach as she saw a now familiar hunger kindling there. "Please Morgan, I need you," the redhead whispered, sending a jolt shooting through her. Willingly she returned her attention to the curves of Allison's body, playing her lips across the skin of her chest until she could take a nipple into her mouth. I sill can't believe how willing she is in my arms. She has completely blown me away with her passion. I can't believe my passion for her either. I've never felt such an insatiable hunger before, not even after being out to sea for months on end.

Morgan's thoughts disappeared in a passionate haze as Allison squirmed beneath her touch, soft moans and whimpers urging her to make her caresses more intimate. Morgan willingly turned her complete attention to her lover, a sensual smile curving her lips as Allison’s hands gently urged her further down her stomach. A low chuckle bubbled up unbidden and the captain eagerly followed the silent order, determined to make sure Allison never forgot her.

The lamp burned long into the night, the moon rising and on its way towards the western horizon before its light flickered and died. Jacob sighed softly and shook his head sadly where he sat watch, propped against a huge pylon on the dock. Jonathan leaned against a shipping crate not far from him and other members of the crew were scattered up and down the wharf.

"Cap’n’s got herself in deep with tha’ un, hasn’ she, Jacob?" Jonathan asked quietly, his eyes fixed on the second story window also.

"Aye, Jon, aye. I don’ know tha’ our girl up thar realizes jes how deep yet, though." Jacob scrubbed his hands across his face. He heard Jonathan sigh softly and felt a wry smile twist his lips. He had ten of Morgan’s crew scattered up and down the wharf, and every one of them had been one of her father’s crew as well. Their protective streak ran as deep and as true as his own, and every one of them was worried about their captain.

"Jacob?"

"Mmm?"

"Why doesn’t she just keep the girl if she’s tha’ attached to ‘er?" Jacob rolled his head to the side and met Jonathan’s eyes in the moonlight.

"But what about the ransom, Jon?" he asked quietly. The younger man frowned for a long moment and cocked his head to the side.

"Do you care about t’money?" Jacob shook his head a little.

"You know I don’t, Jon, all of ye know that." Jonathan sat up and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and clasping his hands for a long moment.

"Jacob, I don’ think tha’ any of us," Jonathan made a motion towards the men that were helping protect Morgan and Allison, "would begrudge Morgan th’ ransom if tha’ redhead up there is makin’ ‘er happy." Jonathan looked down at his hands for a long moment. Jacob felt as though his thoughts were being thrown into a tailspin. "Most of us are ‘er crew fer the same reason you are, Jacob." The big man sat in silence for a long time after Jonathan finished, trying to figure out what to say to him. He knew that what he said was true, that the eleven of them that had been with Morgan’s father were there for reasons other than money, but to have the young man actually tell him that and suggest that Morgan not turn Allison over was another thing entirely.

"Jonathan…I wish I could say tha’ she’d take you up on t’offer, but I know she won’t. She’s honor-bound t’turn Allison over t’her father in t’morning, and I know that she won’t go back on tha’ agreement."

"But she’s gonna be miserable, Jacob," he exclaimed. "We all could see tha’ afore they even left town!" Jacob nodded sadly.

"Ah know, Jon, but she’s too stubborn to admit it." Jonathan let his head fall back against the crate behind him with a dull thud and sighed in exasperation.