About to pull into port Zeta went to Phoenix to find him bent over his desk deep in thought as he worked on his map. “You about ready to go, baby, we have reached Barbados?” Phoenix looked up obviously still preoccupied with his map “No, you go on without me honey. I’m nowhere near done here, go have fun and be careful stay with the crew. As soon as I finish up, I’ll come and find you.” Zeta smiled as she rubbed his tense shoulders and kissed his neck. “Alright then see you soon.” Walking out she told Apollo and Artemis to stay then headed above deck to find the crew had already jumped ship more than ready to drink their fill and except the gracious hospitality of the local whores. Captain Crumb waited at the top of the stairs wearing a playful smile. “No Mr. Prescott this evening?” Zeta shrugged “Just me tonight Ryan, would you mind some company or are you headed to the brothel as well?” Captain Crumb held out his hand giving her a seductive smile “Looks as if you and I will be spending the evening together, lucky me.” Zeta smiled as she took his hand and they headed into town when they reached the dock Crumb laughed “Looks as if Bo and Mena are having their own fun this evening, hell they were the first to get off.” Zeta laughed “Whatever they have planned it must be romantic Mena wore one of the dresses I gave her and talked about it nonstop last night, I think Bo was surprising her.” As soon as they hit land Ryan stopped “I have to make a stop it should only take a few minutes.” Zeta smiled big “You lead I’ll follow.” Ryan couldn’t help but feel as if they belonged together as he led her down the main street and into an alley, and a small shop placed in the shadows. Zeta was curious but held her tongue then laughed with excitement went they entered to find a small book store “I never knew you were an avid reader.” Ryan shrugged “I love to read, I taught Bo so I try to make sure I have a selection.” Zeta found herself excited as she searched the shelves already picking out her own selection. Ryan smiled as he watched her “Bo is teaching Mena how to read.” Zeta looked surprised “No wonder she keeps going to bed earlier and earlier.” After about a half hour Ryan had picked out six while Zeta had picked out four. Placing them in a sack, they made their way back to the main street. Looking down Zeta noticed Ryan holding her hand and she laughed, Ryan stopped and looked at her “Why are you laughing?” Zeta shrugged “Before Phoenix, I had never held hands with a man, strange that I feel so at ease as you hold mine.” Ryan looked down as if having not noticed himself, looking around he quickly let go “As with most things concerning you and me, I may have forgotten my place. Sorry, I’m sure it went unnoticed.” Zeta shrugged “No need to be sorry Ryan, Phoenix is no doubt still in our cabin working on his map and I could give a rat’s ass about what anyone else thinks.” Ryan smiled as he started walking back down the street. “What would you say to you and me combining our talents and making some money tonight? From what Phoenix says you can spot a cheat from a mile away?” Zeta nodded “I can always tell if someone’s lying.” Crumb laughed “There’s a gambling hall just ahead are you in the mood to play some cards?” Zeta smiled big “Oh yeah, so how do you want to do this, do you want me to signal you when a player is lying or do you want me to play my own hand?” The Captain laughed “Let’s both play, in fact, you should lose the first few hands and make it look as if you’re more interested in drinking and having fun.” Zeta giggled “I can do that and how do you want me to signal you?” Zeta checked her dagger in her waistband. Crumb smiled “When one of them is lying address him, ask him a question, and start talking to him.” Entering the gambling hall they found it loud and busy, finding a table with only three men they sat down. “Care for a few more?” The men nodded as they ignored Crumb and ogled Zeta as she sat down and smiled “What’s a girl have to do to get a drink around here?” Crumb laughed as he signaled for a barmaid “Here she goes again, got to watch this one when it comes to holding her liqueur.” Zeta slapped his arm “Just hand me my drink and deal the cards, you weren’t complaining last night.” Crumb laughed “You got me there darling.” Zeta laughed then turned to the man to her right “They call me Lil bit what’s your name?” The man spoke in a gruff voice “Ollie and this is Gary and Kurt, nice to meet you, Mam.” Zeta smiled at his friends “This big oaf sitting next to me is Chevy, well men what says you to starting this game. I’m more of a dice kind of girl but a hand of poker every once in a while can’t hurt.” Their first hand proved unsuccessful, Ollie dealt out the next set of cards and watched Zeta like she was his next meal. “Well Lil Bit I can’t tell are you and Chevy here an item?” Zeta smiled across the table at Ollie as she checked her hand “Well Ollie it depends on the night.” Turning to Ryan she smiled then leaned in and rubbed his back “What do you think Chevy is tonight one of those nights?” Ryan laughed as he pinched her ass making her jump in her seat and laugh “With you looking the way that you do how could it not be.” Ollie shrugged then went back to his cards still unsure if Zeta was available but not willing to stand up to Chevy to find out, hell the man was huge and minus the smile a brawler no doubt. Zeta won the hand and smiled big as she collected her winnings. As the night wore on so did the playful banter, Gary’s luck hadn’t changed yet Zeta could see as he raised his bet he was bluffing, how no one else saw it she didn’t know. “So Gary do you live around here or are you traveling through like the rest of us?” Ryan took the hint and squashed any and all idea’s he may have had. Kurt’s good luck faded fast as did his pile of money having had relocated in front of Ryan and Zeta. All three men seemed to be at their wit’s end and willing to try anything to regain their fortunes. Ollie stared at Zeta long and hard. “How is it that you show up out of nowhere, dark, beautiful, a mystic no doubt and within minutes my fortune is lost? Is it your voice that has cast this spell upon us or your presence in our mist?” Zeta laughed “You think I’m a witch, you lose a few hands of cards and think it’s because I put a spell on you?” Ryan laughed “Well Lil bit I think it’s about time we move on.” Zeta laughed “Wouldn’t want to get burned at the stack for winning a couple hands of poker and being beautiful of course.” Standing up Zeta looked around “Beware folks, Ollie here is a poor sport in fact, he may just accuse you of witchcraft if the cards don’t go his way.” Stepping outside Ryan laughed “Well that went well.” Zeta stretched “I’m starving.” Ryan reached out and put his arm around her waist to steady her as she swayed “I know a good place on the outskirts of towns.” Zeta giggled as she leaned into him feeling a little tipsy “You lead Captain I’ll follow.” The streets darkened as they walked inland. “So Captain how long have you and your woman been together?” Ryan smiled “It’s Ryan and six years, we met in London she worked at a tavern by the docks and we hit it off while I was on an extended shore leave. She’s got spunk and we had a strong connection right away all be a mass amounts of ale and a healthy dose of carnal pleasures played a large part but it was a start.” Zeta walked quietly at his side “And?” Ryan chuckled “And after returning from a voyage I found her waiting for my return fat with my child.” Zeta stopped waiting to hear more Ryan shrugged “She’s a good woman and I wanted to do the right thing by her and my child so I took her home to the Crumb plantation and made her my wife.” Zeta got serious “How often do you see them?” Ryan shrugged “Once a month if I’m lucky.” Zeta nodded “You have a son right?” Ryan nodded “A six-year-old son, Ash.” Zeta smiled “Do you and she get along well?” Ryan shrugged “Don’t know really we don’t see each other long enough to find out, but the time we do have together is pleasant we take advantage of each other's basic needs for passion and longing. We find comfort in one another as any husband and wife does. I can say she has proven to be a jealous woman.” Zeta frowned “How jealous?” Ryan laughed “When I see her she drills me about what women I see, and forbids me to see and or talk to other women.” Zeta laughed “I can’t blame her I don’t want anyone touching what belongs to me either.” Ryan smiled as he moved in closer looking down into her eyes, “Phoenix is a lucky man to have you, I must admit, I have never wanted anything more.” Ryan stopped and frowned “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable or to be disrespectful to your husband with that comment.” Zeta stopped and smiled up at him “I take it as a compliment; I love Phoenix and would never be unfaithful to him. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know myself well enough to know that if the circumstances were different I’d be more than willing to warm your bed. But that’s not our fate so friendship will have to do.” Walking into the shadows Ryan stopped, Zeta followed standing in front of him. “Are you okay?” Ryan nodded “Did I just hear you correctly?” Zeta smiled “Yes.” Ryan swallowed hard dazed by her confession “After this, we can never mention this again.” Zeta was confused until Ryan lifted her up into his arms and kissed her passionately exploring her mouth with his tongue making her moan as he held her tight up against him their bodies hot with passion. When they parted, he returned kissing her once more before setting her back down on weak knees smiling as she leaned into him for support. “I’ll never speak of this again, you my love are everything I could every want. But your friendship will have to do, thank you for giving me this I will cherish the memory for the rest of my life.” Zeta smiled “As will I, you and this kiss will be the secret I take to my grave something that only you and I share.” Ryan sighed “Damn woman, let’s eat and get you back to that lucky husband of yours.” Walking toward the ship Zeta tried to break the awkward silence. “So I notice you stay faithful to your wife while out at sea is that hard for you?” Ryan laughed “You noticed did you?” Zeta shrugged “Hard not to when the ladies are coming on to you and you are sending them away. You and your wife must have a happy marriage.” Ryan shrugged “Shannon is a good woman and a good mother to our son Ash, I enjoy her company and all and I try to be a good husband.” Zeta frowned “You two are in love?” Ryan shook his head “No, I care for her but it’s never been the romantic type of relationship. We share a bed as lovers when I’m home and we are real friendly like when she’s not on one of her jealous streaks.” Boarding the ship, they walked into Phoenix “Captain, Zeta Baby did I miss anything exciting?” The Captain smiled “Well” Zeta cut in “The Captain won a big fat pile of money. How about you did you get a lot of work done?” Phoenix smiled “Yes, you two in the mood for a drink?” Zeta smiled “Definitely.” Phoenix smiled “I’ll be right back.” After Phoenix had walked away Ryan looked at Zeta with a raised eyebrow “Why didn’t you tell him about you and me gambling?” Zeta smiled “That will be just one of our little secrets.” Ryan smiled “Just one will we have more?” Zeta laughed “That would be two Ryan and I’m sure there will be more.” Ryan smiled thinking to himself that he couldn’t wait to find out what the others would be. Phoenix returned with a bottle of rum and three glasses “To my beautiful wife and my Captain may this journey be one of exploration and discovery, Cheers.” That night as Zeta lay awake in bed next to Phoenix she thought about the Captain and the night they had shared. She would never give up Phoenix yet she also knew that what had happened between her and the Captain could never happen again or ever be found out. It was unforgivable and Phoenix would in no way let it pass. She was ashamed she even let it happen and thankful it ended when it did. The next day went smoothly the cargo loaded effortlessly and they were back out to sea without any problems. Captain Crumb stood at the helm with Bo at his side; it was a warm sunny day with a cool breeze coming in from the east. “So Bo anything new going on with you?” Bo turned and looked at the Captain with a raised eyebrow “Why do you ask?” Captain Crumb shrugged “No reason just noticed you and Mena have been spending a lot of time together is all.” Bo shrugged “Is that alright with you?” Captain Crumb laughed “Yes of course.” Mena walked up on deck and walked over to lean against the side the wind blowing her blue dress around as she looked out over the water Bo watched her, Crumb nudged Bo with his elbow “There’s your girl now.” Bo laughed “Stop teasing me, Captain.” Sam a middle-aged crew member stopped his chores and watched her a moment then approached her “Afternoon Mena.” Mena turned to find Sam standing rather close behind her “Sam.” Sam stepped even closer as Bo watched from the helm wearing a frown. “You’ve been on board a couple of weeks now.” Mena moved to step away but he followed “Yes I have.” Sam reached out and grabbed her shoulder holding her in place “I’m talking to you girl, I think you and I should go below, I think it’s about time you let old Sam show you the ropes.” Mena tried to move but Sam squeezed her shoulder hurting her then reached around to grab her ass as he pulled her in close. Bo had left Crumbs side the second Sam had touched her. “Let go of her Sam.” Sam turned wearing a sneer “Mind your own business, Bo.” Bo growled as he ripped Sam away from Mena and threw him to the ground “Mena is my business.” Sam stood and got up in Bo face “She’s fair game boy.” Bo grabbed Sam by his tunic and got in his face “I’m a free man I’m no one’s boy and Mena’s my woman. You even think about touching her and I’ll kill you and throw your rotting corpse to the sharks are we understood?” Sam stepped back and pulled out his blade “Let’s see who kills who, and when I’m through with you I’m going to use Mena as the little sex slave she was meant to be.” The crew began to crowd around to watch while Mena watched on in fear. Bo lunged at him grabbing the knife and throwing it over board. Circling each other they took turns throwing jabs, Bo was far better with hand to hand combat, throwing Sam around the deck with ease making use of his knees and feet as he kicked him while he was down. Sam got in some good shots knocking Bo down a few times but Bo controlled the fight. In the end, Sam went for a gun and fired hitting Bo in the arm, in response Bo restrained him in a chock hold before snapping his neck and killing him. Sore and shot he dragged Sam to the edge and threw his body over board while the crew watched shocked by the whole ordeal then he staggered below with Mena following close behind him. Mena couldn’t help but cry as she gathered bandages and hot water to clean his bullet wound. Entering the pantry she found Bo sitting in his hammock shirtless looking at his wounds. “Are you alright?” Bo looked up “I’ll live, how about you?” Mena went to her knee’s in front of him and rested her head down in his lap “Thank you for protecting me, no one has ever stood up for me before.” Bo winced as he lifted her face so he could look her in the eyes. “Mena Baby even though we haven’t made love that doesn’t mean I don’t consider you my woman, we have grown so close over the last few weeks you mean a lot to me. I know you have been through a lot I would never try to rush you into a physical relationship.” Mena smiled “Are you saying that you would want one, though?” Bo laughed “Yes, of course, you’re all I can think about.” Mena smiled as she wiped at her tears “I was beginning to think you weren’t attracted to me because of my past. Bo, I want to be your woman and only for you, no matter my past, I never had a choice about whom or when my body was used but with you I do and I look forward to the time we can be together.” Bo smiled as he lifted her into his lap and kissed her long and hard, “Help fix me up then we can celebrate my victory.” Hearing a loud knock on the side of the wall Bo and Mena looked up to find the Captain standing there. “Bo are you alright?” Bo nodded “Yes Sir, I’m sorry about that.” Crumb shrugged “Sam made his choice, and you had to make yours. When it comes to protecting are women men sometimes have to do things they usually wouldn’t do.” Bo nodded “Is the crew sore with me?” Crumb shook his head “They saw what happened, Sam didn’t give you a choice, you did what you had to do and that’s that.” Returning to the cabin after witnessing Bo kill Sam Zeta found Phoenix at his desk hard at work. “How’s it going?” Phoenix shrugged “Slow but it’s getting there.” Zeta sat on the bed “Bo killed Sam, got in a fight over Mena and Sam pulled a knife so Bo broke his neck. Rather, exciting for such a boring day.” Phoenix nodded as if he hadn’t heard her at all. “Good for him honey.” Zeta sighed then stood up and walked out, it had become obvious to her Phoenix was keeping something from her she just couldn’t figure out what or why. Heading back up onto the deck, she searched the deck to find Apollo and Artemis sitting by the Captain at the helm. Walking toward them Ryan looked at her and smiled “Phoenix not coming up for air today?” Zeta shrugged “Guess not, hell it’s been three days.” The sky had turned dark and had started to rumble, flashes of lightening lit up the sky in the distance as the rain seemed to come in from all sides. The Captain watched the sky with concern as the crew hurried to do his bidding, his deep voice seeming to reach all corners of the ship. Zeta found herself mesmerized by it all, so quickly the weather had changed like Poseidon himself had made it so. As the waves grew around the ship crashing over onto the crew the Captain called out orders to batten down the hatches then to head below, they would have to ride out the storm and hope for the best. The deck was empty within minutes leaving only the Captain at the helm and her standing by the mast holding on as she watched the violent sea around her in a daze of disbelief having never seen such raw power and delight mixed with fear. She thought of Phoenix yet he had obviously not thought of her, looking to Ryan she found him staring at her in awe as if her beauty had caught his attention more than the violent storm around them. “It’s getting kind of bad out here honey why aren’t you in your cabin?” Zeta shrugged “Tired of being ignored I guess, I doubt Phoenix realizes I’m gone to tell you the truth.” Ryan raked his hand through his wet hair as he looked up at the sky then back down at her a sympathetic smile on his face. “I doubt that he’s just been preoccupied is all.” Zeta shrugged “So are you yet you seem to always nowhere I am.” Ryan laughed “It’s a Captain's duty to keep track of his passengers.” Zeta smiled “Oh really?” Ryan moved in closer caressing her cheek “All be it some more than others, you my darling well I think of not much else.” Seeing Bo on the stairs Ryan called out to him then met him half way giving him orders. “Keep everyone below deck, check on Mr. Prescott.” Bo nodded “Already have Sir.” Assuming he was worried about Zeta he sighed “Did he ask about Zeta?” Bo shook his head “No Sir never mentioned her was more worried about his map and the leak in their cabin, I told him I’d have it sealed as soon as the storm passed.” Ryan nodded “He wasn’t worried about her?” Bo shook his head “Nope didn’t mention her, but I’ll make sure everyone stays below deck Sir.” The wind had started to pick up, when Ryan turned around he found Zeta watching them. Approaching her, he held up his hand to block the stinging rain from his eyes. “You alright love?” Zeta shrugged “Sounds like you’re the only one who cares.” Ryan frowned “I doubt that Zeta.” Zeta smiled as he stood pinning her to the mast blocking her from the wind and rain. “Is it alright that I stay up here with you?” Ryan smiled “I didn’t keep everyone below deck for nothing.” Zeta couldn’t help but laugh “Funny really I’m surrounded by danger yet have never felt so safe in my life.” Ryan smiled as he reached out and moved a strand of wet hair back away from her face. “Damn woman you look beautiful.” Zeta smiled as she stood up on her tip toes and kissed him, reaching up she ran her hands through his wet hair and kissed him again. A soft moan escaping her throat as he pulled her in close their wet bodies smashed together as he pinned her to the mast never wanting to let go. Releasing her she slowly let go sliding down his body until her feet touched the ground his obvious arousal still pressed into her making her want more yet hating herself for going as far as she had. Damn Phoenix for all his changes, it was no excuse she knew but he had been pulling away and she wanted him back and Ryan meant more than just a kiss and she knew that, she wasn’t planning on taking it any farther than that but she knew deep down he was special. Ryan could see the dilemma in her eyes and feel the one in his heart yet couldn’t find it in himself to let her go. “If you’re cold we can go back to my cabin for a glass of brandy.” Zeta wanted to agree but stopped herself “I’d love to Ryan but I can’t trust myself with you, I love Phoenix and I want to be a faithful wife but the second I’m in your arms I lose my head and that’s in plain view of the world I can’t imagine how I would be if I had you alone.” Ryan tightened his grip on her “Now I want to get you alone even more, but I understand and need to control myself as well for Shannon’s sake.” Zeta smiled “I feel as if I should have more guilt over you and me, but I don’t. What we have is special, yes we have kissed and I know that it’s wrong but we have never been unfaithful to our spouses and we don’t plan to be so the way I see it our special friendship will just be our secret, just between you and me. Our connection is just too strong to expect anything less.” Ryan smiled “Well said my love.” In silence they stood in a comfortable and loving embrace as they watched the storm take its course before parting with a smile and a promise to once again make it their last romantic encounter. Returning to their room Zeta found Phoenix at his desk. “What a crazy storm.” Phoenix looked up “We have a leak.” Zeta shrugged “Did you wonder where I was for the last few hours?” Phoenix shrugged “Not really why?” Zeta’s anger started to flare “I was up on deck dancing naked in the rain, just me and the Captain.” Phoenix nodded “That’s nice honey.” Zeta sighed and walked out when she got to the galley it was full of crew members, getting her coffee she sat down. Within minutes Phoenix walked in mad as hell, Ryan walked in behind him in time to hear “Zeta Prescott did I hear you correctly?” Zeta shrugged “That depends on if you actually listen when I talk so I rather doubt it.” Phoenix’s face was red “Did you say you were on deck dancing naked, just you and the Captain.” The crew all laughed, Phoenix did not. Zeta shrugged “So you heard me did you, so that’s nice honey isn’t the response you’d like to stick with?” Phoenix turned and found the Captain in the door way “Is that true?” Ryan smiled “Yes Phoenix it’s true.” The crew looked shocked along with Phoenix. Ryan laughed “Except for the dancing part, oh and the naked part.” Zeta smiled at the Captain “It would have been funnier if you would have played along.” Ryan shook his head “No Zeta it would have been bloodier.” Zeta shrugged “Phoenix what does it matter what I say or do if you’re not listening to me or care what I’m doing. I could have fallen over board tonight and you would have never known the only one who even noticed I was on deck was the Captain, all you cared about was the leak in our cabin and that damn map. So it serves you right letting you think I was dancing naked with another man. By the way who does that in a storm, I do have some sense you know.” Phoenix felt like a fool “Sorry honey I’ve just been so overwhelmed with this deadline my mind has been boiling over.” Zeta smiled “Go back to work and I’ll bring you some food.” Phoenix smiled then kissed her before returning to their cabin. Zeta looked at Ryan and smiled giving him a little wink.