"Thank you," she whispered. Allison felt Morgan’s confusion as she cocked her head and pulled back a little, looking down at her, her brows tugging together.

"For what, love?" Allison smiled up at her and cupped her lover’s cheek in the palm of her hand.

"For making him pay," she said quietly. Morgan looked at her with serious deep blue eyes and nodded slowly.

"Anything for you," she answered huskily. Allison tucked herself back into Morgan’s arms, blocking out the men watching them as she sought the comfort she needed. Morgan willingly wrapped her arms around her and leaned her head against hers, repeating her promise again in a soft whisper. Anything for you, my love."

The rest of their return trip to port passed rather uneventfully, the two lovers spending most of their time wrapped up in each other’s arms in Morgan’s cabin. The men practically beamed at the two whenever they ventured up on deck, willingly giving up their Captain to Allison as Jacob ran the ship for her, letting Morgan concentrate her complete attention on her lover. They sailed into the harbor just as another storm rolled in over the island, darkening the late afternoon sky until it looked like dusk. Morgan left Allison napping peacefully in her bed, a sated smile curving her lips in her slumber. The captain smiled at her lover, pressed a soft kiss to the redhead’s temple and slipped out from beneath the quilt, quietly dressing before heading up to the deck. The rumble of thunder greeted her as she stepped outside, drawing her gaze up to the threatening clouds before she quickly made her way up to the helm. Jacob smiled at her and nodded towards an empty length of dock.

"We’re getting’ ready t’tie up over there, Cap’n. Will ya be stayin’ aboard fer t’evenin’?" Morgan shook her head and pointed at the clouds.

"No, Jacob, I think we’ll head up to the Stromwells’ when those finally let loose." Jacob frowned at her and she smiled. "The rain does quite the job of discouraging spies, my friend." Jacob laughed heartily and nodded.

"Aye, Mor’, that it does. I’ll have Jonathan fetch a carriage and get t’luggage loaded so all ye’ll have to do is be on yer way." Morgan smiled and clapped him on the back.

"You take such good care of me, Jacob," she said with a smile. Jacob grinned back at her.

"Aye, Mor’, I do try. Ye haven’t made it easy at times, though." The captain laughed then jumped a little as a loud clap of thunder rolled across the sea.

"I’m going to head back down now, Jacob. Let me know when you think it’ll be safe to head out, alright? I would like to keep Allison’s return rather quiet if I can." Jacob nodded and waved as she headed back down the steps.

Morgan stepped quietly back through the door and closed it carefully behind her, hoping not to wake her lover.

"Morgan?" The captain turned at the sleepy voice that drifted from the bed and smiled softly, walking over to gaze down at its occupant.

"Feel better?" she asked quietly. Allison smiled with a mischievous twinkle in her eye and reached up to tug her into the bed.

"How could I not?" Morgan chuckled softly and stretched herself out on the bed next to the redhead and pulled her into her arms. Allison willingly tucked herself up against her side, making little sounds of contentment as she settled in. "How long before we reach the harbor?" Morgan ran her fingers idly along Allison’s spine.

"We’re already there."

"Really? That was fast!" Morgan laughed softly.

"No, my dear, you just had a nice nap." Allison shot her a sheepish look and Morgan continued. "We’ll be docking soon, and Jacob’s going to come let us know when we can head for the Stromwells’." Allison frowned slightly and cocked her head up at Morgan.

"I thought you wanted to stay here for the evening?"

"I had planned to do just that, then decided that I would like to keep your return to the island quiet for a couple of days, so, disembarking in full daylight would not make that an easy thing to accomplish." Allison laughed softly and nodded towards the porthole where the dark clouds were visible.

"So we should wait until it starts raining then?" Morgan nodded and let her fingers dance against the silky skin of Allison’s side, smiling as her lover laughed and squirmed away. Morgan let out a low chuckle and rolled over, reaching out to tickle the redhead again. Soon the bed was a flurry of legs and arms as the two women tried to fight off each other’s attacks. Finally Morgan rolled over onto her back breathless and held up her hands. "Mercy!" she cried. Allison fluttered her fingers once more against her ribs then curled up on her side, resting her head on Morgan’s stomach with a contented sigh. Morgan gently ran her fingers through the long auburn hair cascading over her body, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

"I am so happy you came into my life," she said quietly. A beautiful smile curved Allison’s lips and Morgan felt a warmth flood her as a glow took over the redhead’s face.

"So am I, Morgan," Allison answered, "My life is so much different from what I was anticipating when I first met you. You know I found you infuriating when we first met?" Morgan laughed softly and nodded.

"Oh, absolutely, my dear. The feeling was mutual at that time. I had never met anyone who could set my temper off as you did." Allison giggled and Morgan had the feeling the redhead was remembering seeing her trunks flying over the ship’s railing. She reached out her hand and took Allison’s in hers, lifting it to her lips to brush a soft kiss across her knuckles. Allison blushed faintly and laid her head down on her chest, sighing happily. Deep blue eyes stared up at the shadows that played across the ceiling and smiled, letting her self sink into the peaceful warmth that she had begun to associate with her lover. She knew that there were still more things that they had to talk about, and knew that Allison had more questions to ask that she had sidestepped so far, but she was too engrossed in enjoying their newfound relationship to want to rock that boat just yet. With a soft sigh she laid her head against the top of Allison’s and closed her eyes, willing to rest until Jacob came to get them.

The driver wove the carriage skillfully through the streets, sheets of rain pouring down relentlessly. The evening sky was dark as midnight and the streets were deserted, the port town’s inhabitants taking refuge in their homes. Allison peered out through the small window next to her as they rolled past homes with warmly lit windows, eagerly looking forward to reaching the end of their journey. She sat in the protective curve of Morgan’s arm and their cloaks laid across the other seat, their wetness slowly forming a small puddle on the floor of the carriage. The storm had let loose with a fury as soon as the ship was secured to the dock and the taller woman’s hair was soaked from being out in it. The captain had left Allison tucked into her bed when she heard the storm let loose and the redhead had felt the ship buck as the wind ripped at the sails. She caught Morgan looking ruefully at the palm of her hand, the skin red and torn in spots from clinging to the rigging as she helped the crew tame the sails. Allison vowed to herself to clean and wrap her lover’s hand as soon as they reached the Stromwells’, knowing that Isabelle and Anne would gladly help her pin Morgan down if it were necessary to do so. As she looked back out the window a bolt of lightning spider webbed across the sky and she gasped softly at its beauty. The thunder that followed rolled across the island like a wave as they turned up the Stromwells’ driveway and Allison felt a grateful smile take over her face as she spied the familiar house above. She glanced back at Morgan and bit her lower lip to keep from making a sound. Her dark-haired lover had leaned her head back and closed her eyes, her face relaxing as she dozed on the seat next to her. As the carriage slowed to a stop her eyelids fluttered open and Allison smiled into them as Morgan looked at her in confusion.

"Did I fall asleep?" she asked huskily. Allison nodded and reached across the carriage for their cloaks, handing Morgan hers before pulling her own around her shoulders.