Chapter Three

The Captain:

He stood staring at the map in front of him. They were behind at least three days. It had taken him that long to notice the original map was gone. He gripped the sides of his desk, digging his fingernails into it. He had studied the other map so much, he knew it by heart. It still made his blood boil. The word traitor echoed in his head. He traced his course on the map. They were there. He knew they had to be. He needs to catch up or take a shortcut, something. He needed to destroy him. He was going to burn his whole world. Just as he did to him. He would make the bastard watch as he did it though.

Fire. He could still smell the smoke. He could still see the flames pouring out the windows when he closed his eyes. Still feel the rain hitting his skin; it's amazing how it could be raining and a fire could still be going. Sweat beaded across his forehead. Even awake he began to shake a little; every emotion still coursing through his veins.

A loud bang forced him from his thoughts. He looked up. His cabin door had been kicked open  as one of the crew members was carrying the girl. He didn't speak but just nodded to the bed. The crewmember nodded slightly and flopped her down on it and left. He sighs and sinks into his chair. Looking over at the girl, he grumbles. Another mess, another thing he has to figure out before he can get what he wants. He threw his feet up on the desk and leaned back.

How the hell did she get on the ship? He thought, shaking his head. What the hell was she thinking? He was mostly frustrated at this whole situation.

"You know a ship isn't any place for a woman or a child. Never mind a pirate ship." He said to her,

He heard her move slightly and she let out a sound that was painful. She couldn't be already coming to he thought. Sighing he got to his feet. He walked over to the bed and leaned on the head rest staring down at her. He watched her chest rise and fall as he studied her. Her clothing was torn and covered in dirt. She was covered in dirt. She had bruises around her wrist and forearms. Finger marks? She was also covered in tons of scratches on her leg. She looked like she had been living a very rough life. Her face however was soft. He could see little freckles that went across her nose even through the dirt. She had very long eyelashes and her pouty mouth was the perfect shade of pink.

His eyes lingered a little longer than they should have on her lip. Her hair was the brightest shade of red he'd ever seen; even with all the dirt and mud scattered amongst it. Her face began to scrunch. Her eyebrows came together in a frown and she let out a small moan again if she was in pain. Her chest began to rise and fall quicker. She was starting to wake up. Within a few seconds she jolted up looking like a wild animal. Her eyes darted around the room. She focused on him and quickly scooted away from him.

"Where is Claire?" She said forcefully

He smiled "You know I should be asking the questions. You sneak onto my ship and now are demanding answers."

She was now on her feet, hands clenched in fist by her side.

" Where is she?" She said getting louder.

He took a deep breath in as if trying to calm himself. " She's with Jack -"

"I want to see her! Who's Jack?" She asked cutting him off.

"Jack is my cabin boy. I strongly suggest you do not cut me off again." He said gritting his teeth.

"Bring her to me." She said ignoring the tone of his voice. 

His patients were going thin. He was frustrated, he ran his hand through his hair narrowing his eyes at her.

"You come onto my ship somehow and now you're giving me orders! On my ship!  I should just throw you overboard and see how long you can tread water." He bellowed 

She didn't say anything. She kept her distance  and was staring him down. He stared at this woman in disbelief. Most men wouldn't stare at him like this. He could feel his blood pressure raising.

"How did you get on my ship lass!?" He said coming around to the other side of the bed now facing her.

She kept her silence and stood her ground. He was becoming angry. The questions not being answered was now frustrating him. Then he thought of something that he hadn't before. What if Travis had helped her. What if she was here because of him? That would explain how she would know about the ship. That would explain how she could easily sneak on with no one noticing her. What exactly was her plan? She now became a threat. He saw red thinking of Travis. In one quick motion he closed the gap between them and pinned her against the wall by her arms. He could feel her wince but didn't care.

"Did Travis send you?" He asked, squeezing her arms tighter. 

"I don't know Travis. We just needed a way out." She said her voice cracking slightly from pain.

He was trying to study her face to see if he could believe her or not. She took the opportunity to get away from him. She quickly threw her arms up and spun from him. As she brought her arms up, his arms went with her but the spin she did knock his arms away from her. She made her dash to the door. He was right behind her and reached out to grab her. He grabbed onto the back of her shirt and that's when he noticed all the blood all over her back. He let go; feeling the wet blood on his hand he paused.  She went for the door handle instead of grabbing her, he just threw his arm up shutting the door, and keeping it closed.

"What happened to your back?" He asked the back of her head.

 She turned quickly. The look of shock on her face. She was now face-to-face with him.  He was amazed to see anger flashing in her eyes. His nose was inches from hers. Her eyes searched his face. She then became uncomfortable with how close he was. She pushed herself back further into the door ignoring the pain. She could feel his deep dark chocolate brown eyes searching hers. She tore her eyes from him and they went to his full lips. She could feel her face growing red. She tried to focus on something else. She looked at the top of his head.  His hair was dark, almost black and slightly curly. The urge to run her fingers through his hair entered her mind. She had never been this close to a man. She became embarrassed and her cheeks flushed. She tried to push further away from him but was trapped between him and the door. she bit her lower lip nervously.

"What happened to your back?" He asked her, trying to soften his tone.

"It's nothing." she said looking down ashamed

He didn't know why but he lightly touched her cheek moving his hand lightly down it. He took her chin in his hand and brought her eyes to meet his.

"Can I look at it? " He asked.

She moved her face away from his hand and pressed further into the door wincing as she did.  She was panicking. She pressed further into the door and went as far back  into as she could. She could feel blood seeping down into her ripped shirt.

He stepped away from her and put his hands up like he meant no harm.

" Jack! " He yelled startling her

He raised an eyebrow at her and said "Move away from the door "

She did but not too far from it. A few seconds later the door open and a young boy walked in 

" Yes Captain? " Jack asked looking at Morgan curiously

" Bring the girl.  I need water and clean rags too." He said quickly.

The boy nodded and ducked out the door as quickly as he  came in. Morgan stood there waiting, forgetting everything once he said Claire would be coming. The Captain walked over to his desk and leaned against it. He folded his arms across his chest waiting.

For what seems forever Jack came back in with  Claire following behind him. Jack was carrying a bowl of warm water and Claire was holding rags. Claire squeaked with happiness seeing Morgan running to her. Morgan leaned down and scooped her up into a hug. Claire's arms squeezed her right back. Morgan gritted her teeth through the pain, ignoring it. Morgan quickly looked Claire over who giggled slightly.

"Stop. I am fine Morgan." She smiled, grabbing Morgan's hand and squeezing it.

Claire then noticed the blood on her own palm. She glanced at Morgan. Her expression went from happy to worried now.

"Morgan your back, it's still bleeding." Claire panicked.

" No honey, it's just my shirt that's all." She smiled at Claire.

" What happened to her back Claire?" The Captain spoke up, raising his eyebrow in curiosity.

" It's my fault he hurt-" Claire said beginning to choke up

If looks could kill he would have been dead. Morgan shot him the meanest look before spinning Claire to look at her.

"Claire nothing and I mean nothing is your fault! I am fine. I promise." She smiled at Claire.

Claire looked at first skeptical "Then what is the water and Rags for? "

Morgan looked quickly around. She didn't want Claire seeing her back and for some reason she glanced over at the Captain for help.

He cleared his throat and said "I need to clean a few things. Since you two are on my ship, you're going to help. Nobody rides for free. Morgan's going to help me and you're going to go help Jack."

Morgan got a little nervous about Claire leaving again. Claire saw the look on Morgan's face and smiled at her.

"Hey everythings been fine. I've been with Jack. He's two years older than me and He's shown me around the ship and I've been helping him. He taught me how to tie a knot " she said really happy

Morgan smiled and patted Claire on the head " Okay I'm going to help the Captain clean and as soon as I'm done I'll come find you "

The Captain nodded at Jack who made his way to the door. Claire smiled  brightly and headed out the door behind Jack. Morgan sighed as the door shut. Captain raised his eyebrows at Morgan. 

" She'll blame herself if she sees my back. She's had a very hard life and I don't need her hurting anymore " She said very simply

"So whose He?" He asked, still leaning against the desk arms folded across his chest.

Morgan could feel his eyes burning into her searching for the answer. She just looked at him and shook her head. She wasn't going to talk about this. He sighed, throwing his hands down. He grabbed the bowl of water and rags and headed to the bed. He placed the bowl of water on the night stand and turned to look at her. He motioned for her to come sit. She stood there frozen. Her mind screaming no way.

He's growing frustrated " Look Lass I can either help you or I can get another man to help you. Or you could get infection and die of some type of fever and I'll throw your body overboard. It's all up to you. However I have a ship to run and places to be so make it  now!"

She swallowed hard and walked over to the bed. She could feel herself shaking.