~How Your Enemies Can Be Beneficial~

Priscilla, it seemed was to be a theme for a bit. Her and her keepers were doing all they could to cause trouble. Sending a monster under Priscilla's control to try and kill members of her family. Aja had by some stroke of fates whims missed the first two attacks, but she would not miss the third and almost fatal one. The one that would lead the BCU to strike back. A night of dueling seems so innocent doesn't it' Hanging out with friends, catching up with ones you haven't seen in a while. That's what Aja was doing when Padriq came down the old oak stairs of the arena, and spent a little time admiring her from afar. Something her friends noticed and razzed him about. He seemed to be observing her, hesitate to come near.

The night started out so good, friends hanging out having fun. Little did any of them realize the confluence of events that would lead them to a very different place than they seemed to be headed. The gift of roses between friends, a delicate glass one given as an apology that was never necessary, camaraderie and laughter. Right until the world exploded from a snarling, chain carrying monster that was sent to take of her family from her.

The activity level rose in the inn, guns, spells and alcohol bottles were flying as Aja and Padriq fought side by side with the rest of her family to chase the beast off. When the beast was gone, it was learned how much damage was done. One of her family, Anya had been taken to the hospital seriously wounded, other members went off to make sure the rest of the family was protected and Aja stood with who remained making sure they were all in one piece.

The attack was over. The smoke had cleared, but Aja's nerves had been frayed. A couple shots to try to regain control had the world going a little wobbly on her, and Padriq insisted that she come with him for just a moment so he could talk to her. That led them to the Great Hall.

Padriq picked her up and set her on a table top, holding her face in his calloused hands that seemed so very gentle to her at that moment. His voice was just as soft. "If she 'arms a 'air on yer 'ead I will nae ever forgive meself fer it." Aja heard the words and looked at him concerned still not catching on completely. "Ya don't worry 'bout me. Her designs seems to be on my friends." She sighed then. "I just don't know why." She saw his eyes turn worried then, his thumb traced down her cheek. "It be me fault. Me actions the other day. I should 'ave left 'er be after ye told me t'." she looked at him then, seeing how much he was taking on his shoulders and no one could have predicted this. "You couldn't have known she'd go over the edge like she has." Aja started and as was true to her, aimed to make him smile. "I thought once she was human her biggest issue would be lipstick color." That didn't seem to cheer him up or detract him from his current course self flagellation.

"She be a monster Aja. N' if ye get 'urt....." he trailed off, Aja could see there was more he wanted to say but nothing came to him. Her hand laid over his making him look at her. "You can't hold yourself responsible, Padriq. You just can't." "I will Aja. Can ye fergive this damned pirate fer bein' so con.." she knew he was going to keep blaming himself so she did the only thing she knew that was silence him for a moment. She leaned in and kissed him. "I will be fine. I swear it." "I know ye be fine. But I cunnae 'andle it iffin ye be the one goin' in fer care next lass. I just could nae 'andle it." His confession made her smile softly.

"Padriq, I simply adore you." Her hand stayed on his cheek gently, while she thought what to say next. "You and I...we know hard lives. I maybe don't talk like one, but I still be a pirate at heart." Those words she hoped would help him see she wasn't some helpless tenderfoot land lubber. "We don't quit, and we don't run. So...we'll take her on together. Aye?" "Aye lass. Together we will do it." He agreed, and then the look in his eyes changed from worried to one she had seen a few times, but usually never directed to her. "Ye really are amazin' lass. Simply amazin'." He said causing her to become flustered now.

"Ya've had too much rum." She tried to joke it off, but it seemed Padriq Kidd could be a stubborn man when he deemed the quarry worth the chase. And apparently, he had decided that Aja was worth chasing. "Nae, not enoug' lass. Could never be more than enough' t' nae see that ye be stunnin' n' beautiful." Another compliment had the blush creeping into her cheeks even more than before. "Padriq, yer a sweetheart."

"N' ye deserve everythin' this world 'as t' offer lass." He was smiling at her then. "N' yer blush be beautiful." She tried to laugh it off, this was Aja's default position when she didn't know what to do. "Oh...don't tell Anya I blushed. I'll never live it down." "Me tell Anya ye be even more beautiful than ye usually are?" "Are you embarrassed, Padriq" For telling me?" she asked hoping to distract him from the compliments as she didn't know what to say to them. "Wut' That ye 'ave me under yer spell lass" Ye always 'ave. I found out ye were wit tha' man n' I did nae know 'ow t' react. I wus kickin' meself." He didn't mince any words and held her eyes as he continued. "Since the day we met, ye 'ave been the most beautiful thin' I 'ave ever seen in me life."

"Nikki's ....gone for now." Aja said, the reminder of the current mess in her life, the things she kept from others, she slid off the table, moving to go past Padriq. "And it's not yer fault that you didn't know about him till that day. He's rarely around. He likes his solitude." She might not be happy with the man, but she didn't need to say that out loud, not yet. Padriq didn't let her get far, he pulled her to him and held her tightly to him. "I be sorry lass. I should 'ave nae said those thin's. I jus' want ye t' be 'appy." Aja smiled and held him just as tight. "You have nothing to be sorry for." She said and stood silently holding Padriq. "It's my mess. An old mess. I should've taken care of it years ago." She felt his hand stroke her hair gently as he spoke softly in her ear.

"Ye be fine lass. Ye jus', ye jus' 'ave t' be 'appy lass. Please." The way he said it made her wonder if he thought her an unhappy person. She pulled back and looked at him with a soft smile. "I usually am. And you...saying those sweet things to me, shall have me smiling for days, Captain Kidd." "N' ye Captain of the Breeze will see that ye 'appy will make this Captain very 'appy." His smile touched off a broader one of her own till she remembered the night, and that her friends were now alone. "Sivanna, Neo...we left them alone...if that thing comes back..." the thought was truly horrifying. "Aja lass..." he kissed her then, his hands wound up in her hair and for another moment, she let him steal her thoughts as she kissed him back. When he leaned back, his soft voice soothed the worry that the words reminded her. "Let's go see t' yer friends." "You have fabulous ideas, Captain Kidd of the Prometheus." "I wish thin's be different tween us Aja. I really do." "And they may be, someday soon." She thought of her situation at home for a moment her look turning serious. "But I make no promises about the future as it changes on the whim of the gods."

"Nor would I even thin' about temptin' the gods lass. I just wish I could 'old ye a bit longer tha's all. N' 'old ye tigh'." His voiced wish set her back on the path of being annoyed with what had come before and the floor took the brunt of her glare, as the anger touched her voice. "Frackin Kita and Priscilla." She took a deep breath calming herself and she gripped his arms tightly. "We shall lay the blame for tonight's circumstances on them, where it belongs. But fer now, we should get back. That thing was a handful for us all, if it catches Neo and Sivanna unaware, they stand no chance." "Then let's be off." He let her go and she probably looked like she was trying to outrun the devil as she hit the door, where she stopped and looked back at him with a grin. "By the way, Padriq." He looked at her curiously. "Yer pretty damn sexy." She gave him a sassy wink and ducked out the door.

Where do Padriq and Aja go next' You'll just have to check back and see.

~Outback and Outdoors~

The sound of the waves hitting the hull and the sound of seabirds made Aja smile as she started to wake up. She stretched lazily when her foot came in contact with someone's leg. A male someone. Her eyes fluttered open, catching sight of the red music box sitting on her night stand, and last night came back to her making her smile softly.

Mondays for Aja mean the Outback. Cheering on her friends and hanging out. After the last couple days, they needed a night with no drama, no fighting, no attempts on their lives. She was attempting to keep everyone's mood up when Nikki came in after being gone from home for weeks. She had heard him come in the night before but had not been in the mood to speak with him. Figuring that since he'd likely hear something sitting at the bar as he was, she told him that Padriq was now staying in the guest house due to Priscilla burning down his ship. Nikki's reaction was a simple whatever that sparked Aja's ire and Padriq's. Pleading with Padriq to leave it alone, she went out and discussed with Nikki the things that needed to be dealt with.

Between Aja's temper and Nikki's possessiveness, that discussion didn't go to well. It ended with him storming off one direction and Aja slamming her way back into the Outback. Her friends, bless them, were kind not to ask too many questions. Through Sivanna having a couple shots with her, while Padriq dueled in the ring, Aja managed to regain hold of her temper and set back to her original mission for the night which was cheering up her friends.

They slowly started coming around to their normal style of connection and laughter. Near the end of the night, Padriq's patience with waiting for Aja to be away from them seemed to give out and he tossed her over his shoulder, spiriting her away to the Southern Glen. As he walked down the path to the clearing, Aja laughed. "We're here, can I be put down now?" "Aja, lass close yer eyes." "Close my eyes" I can't see where we're going!" which was truth, although she did have a fairly good view of his backside, not that she was complaining about that. "Close yer eyes lassy." He said while swatting her on the behind for the third time that night, something Aja wasn't all that amused with. "I been wantin' t' take ye 'ere all day." "They're closed! And if you smack me one more time, yer gonna have a hard time walking back." Her voice took on that Captain's tone that usually made her men snap to and do what they were suppose to do, Padriq merely laughed at that as she slowly set her on her feet. Aja slowly opened her eyes and a slow smile took over as she took in the clearing of cherry trees. The cherry blossoms in full bloom, almost glowing in the moonlight and Padriq stood silently smiling at her. Aja looked at the trees, around the bases of the trees are roses that climb up, around the base. In the middle of the clearing was a rock with a small red box upon a rock.

"This is beautiful." Her voice in a whisper as she reached up to touch the blossoms on the tree. Padriq took a step back, clapped his hands and the clearing was suddenly a glow in lights from the fairies circled overhead and in the trees lighting them up like Christmas. Aja looked all around her and then back at Padriq. "I stand corrected. This. Is beautiful." Her attention was still on the fairies, her eyes following on who seemed to swoop down past the red box on the rock, that sight stopped her observations of the glen and her eyes snapped to Padriq then the box. "Padriq" that isn't?" she couldn't even say the words that she thought the glen and the box might be some elaborate proposal. Padriq merely smiled and shook his head slightly. "I would nae do that t' ye. Nae with Nikki around lass." His soft teasing voice made her smile in spite of the mention of Nikki. She swatted his shoulder playfully, laughing almost a bit nervously. "Gods, ya scared me for a moment. Don't do that." Aja shook her head and put a hand to her chest to calm her heart that had been racing ever since she had opened her eyes. "Pshhh....Tha' I be pullin' out all the stops with." He gave her a playful wink and that easy smile that always distracted her. "This isn't all of them?" she quipped trying to put herself back on balance. "Nae, but it be close lass. If ye want t' I can go further." Another wink made her look at him sideways. "What are you up too, Kidd?" her voice was playfully wary. Surprises had never really gone well for Aja in the past. Usually something happened to turn the mood all wrong, so she thought with this, maybe something was going to explode. "Nae a thin' lass. I just want ye t' know that I do care." He said with a soft half smile pulling his lips and she heard no deception in his voice, so she smiled at him as she stepped closer. "So if I pick that up, there's no curse or something attached to it?" "Nae lass. I plan t' earn wut I cun 'ave wit ye by meself." He nodded. "Like it should be." She smiled at him softly then bent to pick up the box gently, glancing back at Padriq curiously, who was still standing patiently waiting for her to open the box with the same calm smile on his face. She opened the box slowly, looking at Padriq seriously, then looking at what was inside. A small miniature of Aja was dancing in the middle of the pretty jewelry box, the soft, elegant tune played filling the air with its soothing melody. She looked at Padriq with had to be a slightly shocked smile. "It be the song I 'ear when I look at ye." He said with a warm wide smile, and Aja looked back at the box for a moment before returning her eyes to his and giving him a soft smile. "Padriq, this is beautiful." "Nae a thin' but the best fer ye lass." The smile hadn't faded from his handsome face as he bowed his head slightly.

Aja couldn't resist the roguish Captain Padriq Kidd. That smile, and his romantic nature were proving to be difficult for Aja to deny that they got to her. She leaned over to him and kissed him gently, his hand came up to caress her cheek as he kissed her back in the twinkling light of that cherry blossomed glen. Aja held on to the box with one arm, while the other moved to hold Padriq closer to her not wanting to end that kiss just then. When she did pull back, she realized she had no idea what to say to him right then. The thought of her friends gave her something to say, whether it was the right thing to do at the moment, Aja didn't know but it was all she had. "We should get back." "Aye lass." He gave a gentle smile and a nod. Aja reached out and took his hand as they started up the path, he gave it a gentle squeeze as he walked silently beside her.

They arrived at the Outback to discover that everyone had gone. It was quiet and empty now, all that remained were tables with empty bottles and glasses. Aja set the jewelry box on the bar carefully and sank down on a barstool looking around. "I be sorry lass. I kept ye too long." He said with a soft sigh. "It's alright." She gave him a smile. "Everyone has been really worn out, what with the attacks and the nexus acting weird." Aja didn't want him thinking that it was his fault her friends had called it a night early. "I understand." He gave her a smile and sat next to her, she reached out and touched his knee gently. "But you really have to stop dragging me off." The smile was genuine, but she was serious. "Alrigh' lass." He agreed but she felt she owed him some explanation as to why she couldn't run off on a moment's whim. She gave him a grin. "I'll tell ya a little secret. But ya have ta swear it doesn't go anywhere." "Cross me 'eart n' 'ope t' die." He said as he nodded, Aja smiled at that and toyed with one her nails, never liking to admit that she was important in any way. "I may be a weaker link when it comes to fighting or whatever cause I'm not magical, not really." She skated around that particular subject for now. "But I keep them together. Involve them in crazy games, get them to talk when they need to." She smiled softly thinking of her friends and ways that she looked after them. "I didn't set out to the be the Head Brat...but they call me that. I like to believe that I at least connect them altogether. Keep them invested." "I understand tha' lass." He started with a smile. "They need ye around t' keep 'im strong. They showed it today when ye left." "Little bit, yeah." She had thought that they all went home early just being worn out, but he might have been right. She wouldn't even know the real answer to that. "Anya and I usually sit together after a really long day, and we talk about whatever is in her head." Aja smiled and added in her head. "And my own." Padriq nodded at that and she reached up to touch his cheek gently. "My family is gone. Ajay and Sher...I don't know where they are. So all I have are my kids, and the BCU." "Ye 'ave me lass. I nae be goin' anywhere." "I know...I don't believe you would." She gave him a soft smile at that. It was the truth, she didn't think that Padriq Kidd would be going anywhere anytime soon. She just smiled a little more at the thought and continued with her original thought. "But what seems like wasted time to some people," she sighed heavily thinking of a recent argument with Nikki about the way she spent her time at night. "Is really the most important thing I do." Padriq seemed to understand that she was drifting away in an unpleasant thought and pulled her into him, hugging her tightly, she hugged him back just as tight and he kissed her on the forehead making her feel like she was back in the here and now. Which of course, brought up other worries. Priscilla, Mr. E. What if the apology letter wasn't the end" What if they were merely playing along with Bob, biding their time with intent to finish what they started. Aja sighed a little at that. "I'm worried." The statement was as clear as she could get for the moment. "Wut about?" Padriq asked quietly playing with her hair. Something she loved, but now was not the time to be distracted, she scolded herself and pulled back to look at him.

"They gave up too easy. I fear they will try for something more covert." Her thoughts were many about the ways they might do just that. "I will nae ever let them 'arm ye or me friends." She looked in his eyes and found no lie. Only fierce determination. He more than anyone, understood just how heinous these people could be. He had, after all been a victim of Priscilla many times over in the past few weeks. "Looking after this group is going to be a 24/7 job." She was serious and then thought of how much work would have to be done to ensure their safety. He pulled her back to him and held her close, she nuzzled her face against his neck, taking in the scent of him. The calming smell of the sea and that special scent that was him alone. The combination was soothing to her. "It has been a couple of long days, Padriq. Very long days." Aja felt bone weary but knew she couldn't give up and by the looks of it, she wouldn't be alone should she ask for the assistance in her endeavor. "Worth it or nae?" she felt the rumble of his voice in his chest against her cheek and she smiled softly. "Protecting my family is always worth it." Aja looked up at him then. "But the strain of doing it"." She trailed off then, not being able to bring herself to admit the weakness. "Ye need a massage....N' a hot tub." He said softly, the timber of his voice seeming to find all the tense spots and coax them to relax. His hands toyed with her long hair, sending chills down her spine. She was glad he couldn't see her face just then, he'd know for sure just how much he got to her. So she took the familiar route of humor as a defense. "I need my head checked." She gave a small chuckle and looked up at him again as she thought about the Twilight Island battle. "What were we thinking even talking to them' Should've shot to kill." "Tha' wud 'ave been more fun t'." he agreed and gave a smile. "Yes it would've been. And my stress over keeping all of them safe would be done." She got up abruptly, probably startling him at the sudden change. She paced around, the problem had been banging around in her head and she couldn't make it stop for long. Even Padriq, for all his wonderful qualities couldn't get her brain to shut down for long. She thought of ways to keep her family safe. "I have half a mind to tell them we're going for a cruise around the harbor and just taking off for Goom Bay." She shot a grin to Padriq, pretty sure he knew what she was talking about but just in case he hadn't been. "Pirate cove. Place is wild." "Ye know it lass." His wide smile told Aja that he had been there and had a great time.

"They'd never forgive me, though. But they'd have fun for a while." She thought of her friends at Goom Bay and chuckled at the thought of Sivanna sending Cerberus after a too randy pirate, or Anya possibly getting in a fists match with some of the crew. The wide eyed expression of Neo, Jin's enthusiasm, Tru going on a trip of epic proportions due to the way most pirates spoke and Mira hiding under a table or behind Tru due the pirates being a little less then gentlemanly. "Lass....ye be amazin'." Padriq said with a smirk and a whistle, pulling her from her thoughts and making her smile at him. "Yer biased." "So?" he was unrepentant about his observation. "Just saying." She grinned at him not having anything else to combat that. She leaned on the bar, rubbing at her face a little. "Ahh...Padriq...I'm so tired." She was looking at him, she didn't want to leave his company, but also couldn't hold her eyes open for much longer. He pulled her towards him gently with a soft smile. "Then lets be t' bed lass.." he started to say as the thought struck her and she stood up quickly. "Would you want to stay with me on the Breeze tonight?" Aja said it fast but clear before she could lose the nerve to do so. She stared at him, wondering what he would say to that. She gave him a nervous smile. "Wit ye on the Breeze?" he repeated, she wondered if he was checking whether or not he heard her right. "Where wud I sleep?" the nerves faded some as she stroked his hair gently and gave him a sly grin. "With the Captain." She then stopped stroking his hair to look at him solemnly. "But seriously. To sleep." " T' sleep eh?" he was caressing her cheek, giving a mischievous smile. "Yes." She grinned at him. "I love my house. But things always seem better in the morning when I sleep on the ship." Aja's thought of how it felt to be aboard the Breeze made her smile go wistful. "Then wut we be waitin' fer?" Padriq asked with a bright smile she couldn't help herself, she reached out and touched his nose gently with her own bright smile. "Nothing. Lets' go." She took the music box off the bar, still treating it as if it were glass, and smiled at him sassily. "And you behave, or I'll make ya walk the plank." "I do nae know wut ye be talkin' abou." He said giving her his best innocent expression that just made her smile wryly. "Sure ya don't." she chuckled as she laced her arm through his. He took her hand in his giving it a squeeze. "Can I at least snuggle wit ye?" the question was firm, but looking at him, she saw he was nervous about the answer. "Of course." She smiled brightly. "Just keep the hands from wandering." The smile turned sly as her voice then. As she added. "Too much." "I'll do me best lass." He grinned at her as they went through the doors heading back for Arcadia and the Breeze.

No matter what had happened, suddenly, she didn't feel like the entire world was resting on her shoulders. As they made their way to her ship. She glanced at him, looking rather pleased with himself and the world around him. He would catch her looking at him and simply smile as he squeezed her hand gently.

The closer they got to her ship, the more she worried that she was asking too much, or expecting too much of him. She knew by those spine melting kisses of his, that he wanted to go much farther, but for now, he was giving her time and space to breathe. She scolded herself and shook the thoughts from her head as they boarded her ship and entered the Captain's quarters. The dim lights streaming in the window from the harbor lights were perfect cover for the worried look she was sure she couldn't have hid in brighter light.

Aja disappeared into the bathroom to change giving him time to undress and slip into bed. She looked at herself in the mirror and scolded herself again for acting like a silly girl rather than a woman who commanded the respect of a crew and ran a business. She changed into her night shirt and quietly made her way to bed, slipping in beside Padriq. Neither of them spoke or even moved for a long moment. She knew he was respecting her wishes, so she moved closer, laying her head on his shoulder and wrapping an arm around his chest as her other hand slipped up his back and curled around his shoulder. Padriq took a deep breath then, his arms wrapped around her, pulling her tighter against him. She felt his lips gently kiss her forehead and smiled softly giving him a kiss on his chest before closing her eyes and letting the calm that she always felt in his embrace take her off to dreamland.

~Marketplace Heart Stopper~

Aja followed Padriq along to the Marketplace. Street vendors, merchants and shoppers made the place hum with activity, but the way he moved through the crowd, you've thought they were the only two there.

"You know you really should tell me where we're going sometimes." She said, following behind him, Peanut, her new little spider monkey chattering away on her shoulder as they moved along quickly dodging people. "Sit righ' there lass." Padriq motioned to a bench, and waited till she got settled. "Ok." Aja said looking at him curious what today's adventure was about. "Now lass I do nae wan' ye to freak out on me..." he said then sank down to one knee before her, making her look at him warily. "And what about you being on one knee right now could possibly freak me out?" she asked wryly making him smile as he dug into his pocket pulling out a small velvet ring box. "This..." he opened the box slowly revealing a small ring, with a small rose shaped diamond, with two rubies on either side. Even Peanut stopped chattering when his new owner inhaled sharply. Aja looked from the ring to Padriq and back a couple of times, her mouth opening to speak by no words coming out. "Padriq?" Aja started as soon as she regained the power of speech. "*What* is that for?" "It nae be a proposal, I 'ave a ring fer tha'. This be a promise t' ye. Tha' as lon' as ye wan' it....Ye 'ave me 'eart." Padriq smiled at her nervously, she had heard the first part, completely missing he had a ring for an actual proposal in her relief. She exhaled slowly the breath that she hadn't completely been aware she'd been holding and whacked him on the arm. "I told you to stop scaring me like that!" she said finally. "I wan't' do this on our date, but tha' be a little bit t' soon fer me." "Gods, Padriq." She put a hand to her chest. "You're trying to kill me." She laughed nervously. Then thought about what he said. Her eyes looked into those green eyes that looked at her with such look of care and concern, it almost brought tears to her eyes. "You know I've never needed anything but your word for that, right?" "I know lass." He set the ring box on her lap, which she picked up after a moment and looked at the ring for a minute, quietly observing the sparkle as the diamond caught the lights.

"This is beautiful, Padriq." She said and then sighed as it seemed to be a phrase she repeated often around him. His romantic nature while being the thing most women dreamed about, was something Aja had no working knowledge of, and found herself feeling like she was at the helm of a ship with no sails. "Gods, I feel like I never know what to say when you do this stuff." He leaned up and kissed her at that. "Aja luv, I do nae care iffin ye were nae able to say a word, ye only need t' smile t' me fer me to know ye be 'appy." She looked at him, shaking her head slightly, setting the ring box down and taking his face in her hands gently. "Padriq Kidd. I am always happy seeing you. I don't need grand gestures or flowery words. Just you." "And ye 'ave me lass." He answered immediately, making Aja smile at him. He was relentless in his pursuits, she'd give him that.

The air between them takes on that heated quality always found in close moments. Aja smiled about the thought and tilts her head slightly to the side and kisses him gently at first, Padriq kissed her in return. His hand cupping her cheek while his thumb caresses it. The other hand settled besides her upon the bench. Aja felt the heart palpitations caused from seeing the box fade to heart thumping thrill as the kiss is deepened. Padriq brought his free arm about her waist and pulled her in closer to him. The kiss deepened and he would let it, let her take her time if need be. He was just happy that it was her.

Aja pulled him up by his jacket, onto the bench with her, completely unaware of Peanut's chattering or the street performers going by. And bless the man, he never broke the kiss as he moved to be sitting next to her. It was a fear of ruining the moment. Embracing her in his arms he held her close, his fingers trailing through her hair. When Aja pulled back she smiled at him simply amazed by the things that man would do for her, for the simplest of reasons. She looked at the ring again, then at Padriq who as usual was smiling at her like he'd just won the lottery, the look never failed to make her blush. She shook her head.

"You're so sweet to me...and I haven't a clue what I've done to deserve that." "Ye were ye lass." Came the simple answer, and he caressed her cheek. "Padriq, this is..." she leaned into his hand for a moment, then spoke her concerns. "too much...I mean it's beautiful....but it's too much..." she treasured the gift, but like with anything valuable, she feared it's loss. "What if I lose it or something knocks one of the stones loose?" he shook his head at her, with that smile. "Put it on yer bed stand, in a lock box, it be yours lass, just value it where ye cun." "Ok." She looked at him for a long moment, enjoying the time spent in silence with him as much as she enjoyed the other moments. "Thank you." "Ye be most welcome lass." "We should head back to the others. You stealing me away all the time is going to make them wonder if you're up to something." She gave him a bright grin, which he returned. "Aren't I always lass?" "Yes. Always." She touched his nose and kissed him. "But I like that." "Good lass. Good." He kissed her back and watched as Aja looked down at the bench and tapped her shoulder. "Come on, Peanut." Peanut who had been chatting at a mime, gave a little screech and hopped up on Aja's shoulder and toyed with her hair. "I like this little guy. He's funny." Padriq merely looked at Peanut curiously and the spider monkey chattered at him. Aja laughed and smiled at Padriq. "Back to the isle?" "Aye lass.? He linked their arms and they headed down the street and back to the isle together.

~Larger Steps~

Aja walked along the docks in the early afternoon sun, dress swaying in the breeze, carrying a picnic basket and a bright smile on her face. Today she was going to have a whole afternoon to herself with Padriq. Them, the sea and some good food courtesy of Maria. She danced around fishing crates and rigging lines that lay along the dock, not minding the yappy little dog some guy had on his ship, or the smell of fish. Nothing today could ruin the mood she was in. She rethought that in her head, not wanting to tempt fate. Almost nothing could ruin her mood.

The Highbringer was waiting with crimson and white sails. He was upon the netting and fixing a few riggings, no shirt upon his frame. His deep sailing tan continued to grow darker under the sun, but for now he was working on making sure his ship was ready for its first voyage with Aja.

Aja stopped seeing Padriq up on the netting. She was smiling brightly, admiring the view for a few moments before allowing her presence to be known. She loved watching him when he was unaware of her observations. She could view him in a way that would make her blush if he was looking at her.

His form moved with ease upon his ship. He had a blade between his teeth and his hands were busy tying. Shoulder muscles moved with his arms and his back even tensed a bit while he worked.

Someone passed her on the dock, but she barely noticed as focused on Padriq as she was. A step towards the gang plank was taken as she watched him working above her head. She smiled at the thought of those arms holding her close to him, she wondered what he would do the moment she told him what had transpired at her home this morning. She decided that she should let him know she was there now. With a wave, she called out. "Lookin mighty sexy up there, Captain Kidd!"

He jumped a bit at the call and flushed for a moment or two as if he had been caught with his pants down in the bathroom. Aja thought the expression was adorable, making her smile broadly as she walked up the gang plank to the ship and waited for him to get down. Quickly enough he was climbing down the rigging and stowing the blade in its home before rushing to her and swooping her up into a tight hug. He spun her around for a moment, gave her a kiss, and then realized once again he was half dressed. Clearing his throat he turned about and sought out his shirt as he spoke. "N' ye look stunnin' lass." More worried about wearing a shirt before her, he would stare as soon as he was 'decent'.

Aja smiled happily as he spun her around, half forgetting that Maria had made her wear the knee length sundress. When he set her down, she smiled as he searched for a shirt and set the basket down by her feet. "Yer gonna swell my head with all those compliments, Kidd." A hand went to her hip then, the tone of her voice was sassy. "Swell yer 'ead lass?" He smirked to that and glanced back to her, his hand snagging up his shirt. He slid it over his frame and shifted to finally admire her. His jaw dropped and he gawked for the longest of time. "Wow." "Yeah. Swell my head.." she laughed. "With stuff like that." She just shook her head a little then and nudged the basket with her foot. "Maria made lunch for us. And I am all yours for the whole afternoon." He grinned a bit and nodded softly. "Oh' The whole afternoon eh?" Padriq gave her another kiss and spoke. "Are ye well today' After this mornin?" that made her raise a brow. "Either you saw Nikki come to the house, or one of my children spoke to you about it." She wasn't angry, she was curious as to how he found out. She leaned against the railing watching him. He stepped over and wrapped his arms around her waist, looking at her. "Aye I saw 'im. N' I wus nae sure wut t' do." Aja nodded at that, looking at him for a moment wanting to explain this right cause everything rode on it.

"Nikki's gone. Prince Tyrion called for him, and with how distant we'd been ..we both decided it was best he go. He'll keep in touch with the kids, but for now...we won't be speaking at all." She pulled away a little, to pace some. It was a lot to tell him, and she didn't hate the man. "He's been in my life for thirty years on and off...It's a lot of history there." He let her slip away and nodded softly. Padriq wasn't sure what to say. He simply waited for her to either continue or say something else. She brushed the hair out of her face, and smiled at him then. "I thought it would bother me more, if he left. If I let him go. Truth be told. I feel fine. So...basically what I'm saying is..." she started fidgeting with her dress slightly, this was the moment she would find out if it had all been a game for him or if he meant what he had said. "If you want me still....I am yours." Padriq felt as if the very breath from him had been stolen by her words. His heart skipped a beat and he spoke up lightly. "Lass cun ye say tha' again?" Aja gave a soft laugh and stepped closer to him. "I said. I'm all yours if you still want me."

At this he reached out and swooped her up in his arms. A passionate kiss was delivered and he whispered to her. "Lass ye be makin' this man feel like 'e be walkin' in 'eaven." She gave a happily laugh and held him tightly. "So I take it that's a yes?" "Tha' be a yes...a 'ell yes." He smiled down at her softly, which she returned. "Good." Aja gave him a sly grin then. "And perhaps we can both stop taking cold showers now?" His brow rose and a grin formed upon his lips. "Ye thin' so' I wus startin' t' get used t' them in the mornin'." Aja laughed at that and her voice got airy. "If you'd rather continue them...." "Nae lass, I think not." Giving her forehead a soft kiss and she gave him a wink. "I didn't think so. So. Are we ready to shove off?" "Aye." He turned and shouted out to his crew. They went to work instantly, even a man took the helm. Once the wind was in the sails and the ship was freed they were off. Aja smiled, a ship was a safe place that felt like home to her, she loved the sight of the water moving along below them. "This is more like it." She smiled brightly as she leaned against the rail looking at the sea below.

He smirked as he watched her for a long time. Soon he spoke to her as he joined her side. Did ye brin' clothes t' change int'?" she looked up from her observations on the water with a nod and a smile at him. "Of course. I sort of thought after you found out that Nikki was gone...that you'd try keeping me hostage." She gave him a wink then. "I even brought something special." His brows rose higher as his grin formed. "N' wut did ye brin'?" Aja grinned, tracing his cheek with a gentle fingertip and a sly grin gracing her lips. "Something black, lacy and completely designed to raise yer blood pressure." There was a soft gasp from him at that as he leaned into her hand. He casted a glance towards his cabin and then back to her. "Lass ye keep this up n' our afternoon will be spent in quarters." Aja kissed him and smiled brightly. "Not until we eat. Once we go in there..." she kissed his neck, then nodded to the Captain's quarters. "I don't plan on letting you come back out for quite a while." That got him to grunt before he nodded. He took the basket from her before he spoke," Then wut be we waitin fer?" "Anywhere you'd like, Captain." Padriq simply nodded and started for his quarters. It would be the best place to be eat, there was a table in there after all. Winking back to her he held open the door for her to enter. Aja looked at him with a raised brow and grinned. "You were warned." Was all she said as she winked and walked into the quarters. Brows rise up, he grins and follows after her. He couldn't help but glance over her curves. When he was inside he shut the door and it was locked shut. First, as she wished, they would eat.

Once inside, she glanced around the cabin, which was tastefully decorated and smiled at him. "Very nice, Captain Kidd." She pulled a table cloth out of the basket and spread it out on the table then starts unloading all the containers with pasta salads, one with sandwiches, one with ambrosia salad. She looked back at Padriq with a grin as she saw him looking her over. "Like the view?" "Aye lass, I always 'ave." He smirked for a moment before she would be joined. Taking up the sandwich closest container and taking a healthy bite out of it. Aja merely chuckled at that and opened the container with the grapes, plucking one out with a smile. "Always, huh?" she thought about that and nodded. "Good to know. Cause that's a huge likewise there." She popped the grape in her mouth with a happy smile. Watching her eat the grape for a moment before taking another strong bite of the sandwich. His brow perked up, a grin forming upon his lips. "Lass ye be makin' it 'ard fer me t' concentrate today." Aja gave a small chuckle to that too, and stepped closer to him. "I can make it a lot harder, Padriq." She gave a sly grin. "I'm free to explore any little whim I wish now." Padriq's brow rose up and he tilted his head. "Oh' Now I be up fer tha' challenge." He was grinning more than a little bit. Aja raised a hand up to his neck, her fingers touching lightly as she slowly walked around him, completely at home on a moving vessel, her voice was sultry. "Remember when I said I am just as sassy behind closed doors, Padriq?" There were goose bumps forming upon his neck. A light shiver rushed along his spine and he watched her move around him. "Aye lass. Tha' I do." His grin was getting broader. Aja leaned in close and whispered in his ear. "I wasn't lying about that." She settled back on her feet, then went back to the table, plucking another grape from the dish. "I've been thinking about what I might do once I had things clear at home." He was watching her, but as she plucked up the grape he snatched it away and popped it inside of his mouth. He grinned to her as he spoke. "N' wut wud ye do lass?" she gave a small laugh and selected another grape, wandering to the bed and flopping down on it. She leaned back on her elbows, looking at him with a grin. "Ooh...lots of things." She popped the grape into her mouth, smiling as she chewed. She looked at him standing there, giving a sly little smile as she swallows the grape. "Tell me you haven't been laying next to me at night thinking all sorts of things, and I'll say yer lyin, Kidd." "I 'ave been thinkin' all sorts lass." She had him pegged right. He shifted on his feet and soon was moving to crawl over her. His lips pressing to her neck softly, then giving it a soft nip while she lay there. "Mmm....I thought nice n' 'ard lass."

Aja laughed softly at that, as she looked at him. "I have wanted so many times to reach over, just touch you all over...but I thought it was cruel when we were waiting till things were settled. I never wanted to tease that way." He looked down at her as he smiled. "I wud 'ave waited ferever fer ye lass. But the ach wus so large. I did nae know 'ow much more I could take." Aja reached up and touched his face gently. "I'm sorry about that, Padriq...but I am so grateful that we did wait...I wanted to be with you free and clear. No guilt. I couldn't take that." He simply nodded to her and kissed her nose. "I understood then luv n' I understand now." Aja pulled him down closer to her, not wanting that much space between them right now. "I know. And you are the most amazing man I've ever met, Padriq Kidd." She kissed him then, nothing was held back with that kiss. She had no obligations anymore, she was completely free to be here in this moment with him.

With that he wrapped his arms around her frame and pulled her flush against him. Her lips would be given no mercy. He kissed her with full abandon, nothing held back such as her own. Deep passionate bliss falling from his lips to flood over her frame. One of her hands was wrapped up in his hair, the other is sliding down his back, in efforts to pull him closer against her as she returns those kisses with just as much passionate intensity as she could manage. Fierce passion flared up while he lifted her by the small of her back against him. His lips left hers and traveled along her jaw line to her neck. Soft trails would be left as he showered her with heated passion and every emotion rushing through him. "Padriq..." she called in a whisper followed by a moan, as she clutched at his shirt, trying to remove the things between them. He shifted and pulled his shirt off for her. He was busy, nipping at her neck and then kissing under her chin," Aja." Was whispered out softly. Somewhere in her haze she remembered that she had a plan, and she was determined not to let him have the upper hand in everything involving them. So she moved quickly, straddling him and pinning his hands to the bed. "You are in so much trouble, Mr." she couldn't help the sly smile as she leaned down and kissed his neck.

A groan fell from his lips when he found himself straddled. His body quaked to the kiss to his neck and he managed to speak. " 'ow be I in trouble lass when this be 'eaven?" He closed his eyes to slits. She smiled softly at that, then whispered in his ear. "Cause I am not going to let you ruin my surprise for you, Kidd." She slid down his body slowly, her feet touching the floor. Before raising up off him, she smiled. "I have plans." Then she gave a bright grin and stood up, looking at him. His brow rose up, he shifted up on his elbows and drew in a deep breath. He eyed his discarded shirt and then eyed her. "Wut be tha?" "The special outfit." She gave him a wink then took a seat the table, while desperately trying to appear calm and cool, when her insides were twisting up in nerves. He simply turned on his side on the bed and smirked. "Are we nae done eatin' lass?" "I want you well fed." She leaned back in the chair, kicking one sandaled foot up on the edge of the bed, and slowly crosses her other leg over, the dress sliding up ever so slightly, showing a long expanse of smooth skin. "So you can keep up." Eyeing that silk he shifted to trace his fingers along her leg before smiling as he reached over and snatching the sandwich. It would be gone in three or four bites. "As ye wish luv." He conceded.

Aja ate a couple grapes watching him idly, the nerves in her stomach letting her know that they were still working. And as much as she hated it, she was a girl at heart, no matter how she tries to be one of the boys. The doubts crept in a little and she looks at him seriously for a long moment before deciding to pose the question. "Sure ya won't be sailing off into the sunset looking for another port in the morning?" At that question he shifted and pulled her up into his lap. He kissed along her jaw line and to her ear. A soft whisper left his lips as he spoke to her. "I nae be goin' anywhere lass. I told ye affore....I do nae plan t' leave ye lass, nae now....nae ever." She felt the relief wash over her, but still had a small piece of lingering hesitation. For now, it would be pushed down, and she gave a soft laugh at being pulled into his lap. "Ya know, the caveman thing is fine for when we're alone. But you've really gotta stop doing that." She grinned and kissed his cheek. "I'm supposed to be some tough captain and you toss me around like a sack of potatoes." She leant against him with a happy smile. He kissed at her neck before he whispered. "Ye nae be a sack o' potatoes, ye be me lass. Me girl. N' I do nae ever plan on lettin' ye go." "Yer girl." She smiled softly. "I like the sound of that." "I do t' lass." He smirked a bit and whispered. "I 'ad enough' t' eat lass. Do nae make me take one more cold shower lass." Aja gave a soft smile to that, then slipped from his lap. "Alright, Kidd. But you asked for it." She took a smaller bag from the basket and went into the bathroom. "You just get comfortable." "Aye lass. I will." He was smirking as he leaned back and kicked off his boots. Leaning back a bit in the bed. For now he was free of his shirt and very comfortable. "You sure yer heart can take it?" she called out. "I be sure lass." He called out to her with a grin. Aja leaned against the wall in the bathroom, collecting herself to walk out in the skimpy bits of lace, then smiles as she heard him answer. "Ok then." She stepped out into the room slowly, wearing a black lace teddy, that has garters and stockings, tiny black slippers on her feet and stands waiting for him to say something. His jaw dropped at the sight of her. His breath was stone away. All he could do was stare at her for the longest of moments, speechless. Padriq shifted up a bit, gulped, and then spoke lightly. "Lass....Iffin ye always stole me breath away jus' imagine wut ye be doin' t' me now." She was stunning as always in his eyes. Aja smiled at that, not knowing what else to say. "I figured the figure was fine..." she took a small step towards him then. "I just fear you seeing the scars. Been a few battles in my time on the sea." "Nae a scar could 'inder yer beauty lass. Ye be the mos' stunnin' women in the world." He smiled happily and sat up a bit, his eyes scanning over her figure. She gave a small blush, but she never backed down from a challenge and she stepped closer still, being as bold as day. "So you like it, Captain Kidd?" "I luv it Captain Bird." He grinned, looking up in her eyes and sitting up a bit more in his spot. He smirked softly to her and winked lightly. "Ye in black....Is amazin'."

There was more teasing words, along with the love making that afternoon. They took their time, as that was all they had between them now. She would learn in time if he was what he appeared to be, but for now, she'd take the gamble. Happily.

~Serious Conversations and Walking Home~

It was a delightful party to be sure. Anya's trial was over, she could once again practice medicine. Sivanna and Alec announced they had moved in, Mira would be released from the hospital the next day, Guill and Mich both were callers and Neo was going to teach future duelers. It was a marvelous party. She had even worn a dress for the occasion. Deep blue silk that moved so easy when she did, just cause she knew her friends like to tease her a bit about it. A small thing, but small things mattered. Padriq even took a long moment to appreciate it, but then the serious matters in her head took back over causing him to look concerned.

Aja asked, but Padriq didn't want to disturb the party, Aja couldn't stand the troubled look on his face and suggested the relocation. So, they left the Isle celebration and entered the Outback.

She pushed the heavy oak doors open and looked around. Turning back to him, she looked at him seriously. "We're alone here." Padriq walked in behind her and stopped. Without preamble, he laid out what was in his head. "Jamie's grave wus destroyed two weeks ago..." he took a deep breath then. "'er body be missin..." he trailed off and she couldn't fault him for that. He was talking about the woman he married and it was bound to unsettle him more than a little. So many questions came to mind. Who would do that' Why would they do it' Was he ok" The third was the most pressing one for her at the moment and reached out to take his hand in hers. "Are you ok?" She watched him as a myriad of emotions crossed his face. He stood there silently, the long deep breaths the only thing disturbing the quiet. "I be fine lass. Promise." He gave a soft nod with that, but the look on his face betrayed him to her. "But this information has to be unsettling." She reaches up and touched his face gently, he only sighed and looked at her calmly. "'as there been anyone followin' ye lass?" Padriq's eyes searched hers. "Anyone around ye tha' looks like they should nae be?" "Ya know.." the question took her by surprise. "I haven't been looking." She gave a shrug with a soft smile to him. "You needn't worry for me, luv." She tried to ease the look of concern from his face, but was having little success at it. "I have defended myself for years. I shall be just fine." He gave a small nod, his hand ran through his hair then. "Lass. Ye need t' be careful." His voice was barely a whisper. "They took 'er body." Aja thought about that again. "What do you think they plan to do with it?" Necromancers and reanimators existed in the realm, but if she remembered correctly, Jamie would have been dead far too long for them to take an interest. But the users of dark arts often did things Aja would never understand. "Lass....I do nae want t' know." He replied pulling her close to him. She thought of the few times she had run into the undead, and had a involuntary shudder from the memory. "Undead are icky icky things." She muttered, and felt his gentle kiss on her forehead. "Jus' be safe lass, I beg ye..." he held her so tightly, she could feel the worry seeping from his body. His lips lingered her on her forehead. "Padriq. Do not worry." She tried to reassure him. "I spend my days surrounded by the men at the yards. Parker constantly hounding me to eat right, Rico needing things signed and what not." She looked up at him then. "I'm never alone for more than a moment or two." She kissed him again and looked at him seriously. "I shall be fine." She kissed his cheek giving him her best smile. "Lass. Good. I luv ye n' I jus' wanted ye t' know." He touched her face with a soft smile now. "Now let's get ye back t' yer friends affore I go check on me ship." She could still see a little worry in his features, she slipped her arm through his and gave her best sly grin. "Maybe tonight," she started in a sly whisper. "I can do that thing you like, make you forget all about it for a while." Aja saw the smile start to turn his lips upward. She had succeeded in distracting him for a moment. He gave a sly grin of his own and kissed her, whispering in her ear. "Lass ye 'ave nae idea jus' wut I want t' do t' ye tonigh'." The timber of his voice sent shivers down her spine and she smiled up at him. "I look forward to it." She went to open the door, he gave her a playful swat on her rear. "Let's get back to the party." Padriq put a hand at her hip, stopping her and then moved as he pulled something from his pocket and put it around her neck. "Lass 'ere....Fer yer dress." He said as he worked the clasp. The chain of silver and gold charms slightly chilled against her skin and her hand went up to touch them. "A gift?" she looked at him and his smile. "Ah, yes. Yer evil plot to spoil me again." She grinned at him as he smiled. "I 'ave many other gifts fer ye lass." He smiled and kissed her lips gently making her smile soft at first which turned sly. "As long as some of them are in the bedroom, yer gonna be making me a very happy woman." "Good lass. Good. Ye deserve t' be 'appy." He gave her a wink before kissing her again. She kissed him back enjoying a playful moment with him, before she turned, making the dress twirl around her legs again. The whisper of silk against flesh, combined with the thoughts she was just having about him, make her smile even broader as they made their way back to the Isle.

Padriq took her back to the Isle, and then returned to his ship to check on things. He returned to find a quite tipsy Aja. She was sitting at the bar, staring at a glass of some blue drink quite intently but grinning like mad when she looked at Neo. "Neo, let's get the ring drunk." She was saying with a giggle. "Drunken blinking." "You want to get this thing drunk?" he pointed at the ring that gave a flash. "Sure. Why not?" Aja was grinning brightly at Neo, then she caught sight of Padriq standing there. "Padriq! How's the ship?" she called merrily in that drunken tipsy way. "I'm not sure if that's possible." Neo said, giving a wave to Padriq. Ring of Klytus piped in then. "" Aja took the ring and without ceremony, dropped it into her walk me down then intently stared at the glass to see if the level would drop. She giggled at the experiment being easily amused sometimes, could lead to silly silly things. "It be fine lass. Jus' found a grimlin in the workin'." Padriq related to her after a short pause. Aja drunk was a new experience, one that surprised him for a moment. "What's a grimlin?" she repeated the word still staring at the glass intently. "A gremlin?" Anya helpfully translate Padriq's pirate speak and Aja went about her little adventure with the ring. She considered how to get it out now, then spied a straw and stuck it in the glass, proceeding to reduce the amount in it. "" RoK said sounding a little disappointed. "Yeah....Sabotage ..." Padriq said sighing some. "Someun be tryin' t' mess wit' me ship." He looked towards Aja who had stopped drinking and looked at him, her attention gotten with the word sabotage in relation to his ship. "But we got it so nae need to worry." He looked at her trying to reassure her, "Huh?" she turned from the drink, forgetting for a moment that RoK was in there. "" RoK said now. Aja wasn't really listening as her brain chewed over the info it just took in. "You know, Kol'tso..." Anya started as she pondered RoK's predicament. "I could change a little of your metal to hemoglobin..." "Aja, luv, do nae worry. I fixed it. It be alrigh'." He tried to reassure her, but the look on her face told him that telling her while she was drunk was probably not the best of ideas. "But I put guards on that ship! I am gonna go have a chat with mah boys." Aja slide off the bar stool, fully intent to march down and kick her boys in the arse, but Padriq wouldn't let her get that far. She heard the part about fixing it and she stopped, swaying a bit and looked at him. "You fixed it' You didn't beat them up too did you?" she thought he'd already kicked her boys for her. "Aye luv, n' yer boys found 'im, so do nae worry." He gave her a smile then, she narrowed her eyes for a split second and then gave a drunken nod heading back to her drink and the current discussion about why RoK couldn't get drunk. "" RoK mused about his being. "Mm. That is a quandary." Anya looked thoughtfully at the glass, that a dim flash every time RoK spoke. ""

Aja stopped seeing her drink have a glow that went on and off. "Whoa." "Aja"Is yer drink talkin?" Padriq asked her looking at her and the drink warily. She didn't answer as she started to drink the rest while they discussed the nature of being drunk. "Then cast a spell on yourself to taint said consciousness." Neo offered. "Then again, you are bragging a bit more than usual, Kol'tso. That sounds like alcohol is affecting you, if a little..." Anya grinned at the glass, talking to the ring. Aja seemed unconcerned with the why he wasn't getting drunk. She drank the rest of the drink and tipped the glass to cause RoK to tumble to the bar. "Sorry, Rockie. We tried." She grinned at the ring then looked at Padriq. "Neo's ring, Koltso. We tried getting it drunkened." Tipsy made Aja make up words it seemed, Padriq smiled at her then eyed the ring. "" RoK hypothesized. "Did ye give it the 'ard stuff" Wut about Moonshine or somein?" Padriq asked looking at the ring, Aja laughed and shook her head. "Walk me?" her head shaking got her off balance and she grabbed for the edge of the bar, along with Padriq catching her, she righted herself. "Whoa..downs." she grinned at him happily. "Ye be 'avin' quite the party withou' me?" he surmised as he set her on the bar stool. "Yep. And I be tipsy." She announced, then looked at him. "Yer cute too." " " "Be nice, Ring!" Neo scolded RoK. "" RoK snarked and Neo made a face at that. "Lovely."

Aja was less concerned as she thought about what she said to Padriq, and started looking at her friends. "I'm surrounded...by pretty people." She remarked in a sort of awe. "N' ye did nae wait t' 'ave me be tipsy wit' ye lass?" he grinned at Aja looking around at them still pondering her pretty people statement. "It's a celebration, Padriq." Anya supplied helpfully as Aja slid the pitcher of Walk Me Downs over to him with a grin. "Catch up." "Wut be it?" he looked at the pitcher warily. "Walk Me Down!" Aja was exuberant as most tipsy people were, and grabbed the pitcher refilling the glass she just emptied. "It's blue. Like Aja's pretty blue dress." Anya said about the same time, never knowing what Aja had mixed up, but the sing song voice about her dress made Aja smile. "I like blue. It's nice." Aja said softly. "Thin' I should stay sober fer this?" Padriq looked at Aja with a smile at her antics then at Anya, figuring better answers were to be found with the doctor than Aja right now. "So do I, so does Papa Dn"avol." Anya answered Aja and then nodded to Padriq. "Mm, one of you should, to get home safely." "I like you too." Aja looked at Padriq, grinning. "Yer nice." "Seems I wus already voted fer it. Next time be me turn..." he mused at the answer Anya gave then looked at Aja as she declared she liked him. "Aja luv I know ye like me." "And not a pud." Anya's triumphant declaration made Aja giggle and shake her head. "No." Aja shook her head again. "Stephanie's a pud." She used Bridget's pet name for Stephen then giggled as she added on to the list. "Robert be a pud too." "Me brother be nae a pud lass....Me brothers fer tha'. They jus' do nae like me." Padriq, ever the loyal brother defended. "They nae ever will let me live down Priss." The last part was muttered, but heard. Aja poked him. "They be puds." She declared with a sharp nod. "Alrigh' lass I will nae argue wit ye." He snickered at this new side to Aja. "Priss is gone...ding dong..." Aja sing songed then giggled. "Too bad we not land a house on her." "Why abuse a poor innocent house?" Anya mused. "Wut she said..." Padriq pointed at Anya and then Aja got distracted by Neo tossing his soda can in the bin. "Alright, time for me to go." "Night Neo Babes!" she called brightly throwing her arms out, bouncing on her bar stool till he came and hugged her, which he did with a grin at her antics. She kissed his cheek and smiled at him. "Love ya, Neo Babes." Always the fond nickname to her Neo, who she had come to love and admire. "You too." Neo replied with a kiss to the cheek. Then went to give his hug goodnight to Anya.

"Anya lass, I think it be time t' cut 'er off...." he pointed at Aja and her bouncing around. "I would, but I value my life, Padriq." She smiled then hugged Neo and kissed both cheek. Neo who no longer blushed at such affection from his friends, returned the kiss and then looked at Padriq for a moment. Padriq just grinned. "I wud 'ug ye but tha' may be too soon fer ye." He quipped and offered his hand. Neo nodded and shook his hand. "Next time we can do one of those man-hugs. If you know what I'm talking about." "Aye, man'ug works." Padriq grinned, Aja might have said something about it but was interrupted by Azathal who was standing behind the bar idly watching the group. "This coming from the man who wouldn't kiss Lilli," "She's not his type maybe?" Aja giggled. "She's not, really..." Neo said rubbing the back of his head as he usually did when thinking or got a bit embarrassed. "Neo will find the perfect girl. Just give him time." Aja sat up straight as she said that, like that made the statement more profound in her head. She sipped her drink with a happy smile. "Exactly so. Bet he beats me to the altar." Anya agreed. "And he is?" Azathal quipped nodding to Padriq. That made Aja look where he nodded, and look back confused. "He is what?" she asked confused. Neo didn't appear as confused, he shook Azathal's hand. "Night Neo." Azathal grinned at him. Padriq decided to introduce himself to Azathal then. "Padriq Kidd....Captain o' the 'ighbringer." "He is what?" Aja asked again having not gotten an answer yet. "Azathal Aleanurdrenn, Paladin of the Earth Mother Moira." "He is what?" Aja's demand was much louder and more intense making Padriq chuckle at her and kiss her cheek as Azathal answered her finally. "Neo's type." "No silly." Aja giggled now that she knew no one was picking on her pirate. "He be my type." "Your snuggle puppy, Aja." Anya interjected teasingly. "And my guess is Neo's type is his own business." "Isn't it always?" Azathal said with a smile. "My type is...." Neo was saying, but a tipsy Aja barreled right ahead. "Neo's type is cute. About so tall." she held her hand out to indicate a height. "Peppy and pretty." "Bubbly. Energetic. Pretty, of course." He said at the same time Aja was giving her description of Neo's girl. "Exactly!" Neo exclaimed and pointed to Aja. "She gets me." "With a good sense of humor.." Aja continued seemingly unaware of what Neo said. "So she can put up with us." "Aren't you already taken though, Aja?" Azathal asked with a grin making Aja wave a hand at him. "That's my Neo Babes." She said with a grin as if that explained everything to the man. "She'd be able to more than put up with us. She'd be one of us." Neo interjected. "Yes she would." Aja agreed with Neo smiling broadly. Neo turned for the lagoon heading for the tower of water.

After a moment, Aja slipped off her stool and started for the water. "Where ye be goin' luv?" Padriq grabbed her, pulling her back towards him. She giggled at the sudden halt to her destination and grinned at him as he held her close. "I was gonna walk in the water." She grinned up at him. "Take care, Water Brat." Anya called after Neo as he wandered away. "'ow about ye jus' settle fer me arms lass?" Padriq worried about a tipsy Aja, he feared something would happen to her. "Ok I stay." Aja gave another wave to Neo then grinned at Padriq. "Good night, everyone!" Neo gave a final call and wave then disappeared to the water and his tower. "Thank ye luv." He gave a kiss to her forehead. "I'll stay and drink." She giggled. "Tha' be fine..." he smirked while setting her back on her bar stool. "You want me to drink more?" she leaned against the bar and grinned at him. "Tryin ta take advantage of me Captain Kidd?" "Can't do that with the willing." Anya piped in which made Aja snicker then. "No. That is very true." "Nae luv....Ye know ye be the one t' take advantage o' me lass." He couldn't even keep a straight face on that one. "That applies to you too." Anya said sagely making Aja giggle and point at him. "She got you pegged." He smiled at Anya, giving Aja a wink. For a moment, things were quiet. Each lost in their own thoughts. "I still feel like I could float." Anya mused.

Just then, the sound of bawdy singing broke the quiet and Aja looked up to see Bridget heading towards them. "Bridget!" Aja yelled, then slid off the bar stool, making her way over to her. "Aaaaajjjjjaaa!" Bridget yelled back chuckling at the obviously drunk Aja heading her way. "Tell Padriq that Stephanie's a pud." Aja said as she hugged Bridget. "A pud be puttin' it nicely lass." Bridget agreed making Aja turn to grin at Padriq. "Told you." " Iffin' ye say lass." Padriq grinned. Then greeted his sister. "n'....Midget." The nickname made Aja looked at Bridget then at Padriq confused. "She not be midget size." This made Bridget blink at her. "Ye be drunk." "Yes I be."

Stas Ryan showed up then, Bridget headed to the beach and laid down. Aja made her way back to the bar stool. "Aja luv. Ye up fer some sugar?" "Sugar?" Aja perked thinking about pixie sticks. He kissed the air and she pouted. "Tease with the pixie stick." "And I bet it's bigger than that, Aja." Anya cracked teasing Padriq then. "I still do nae know wut Pixie sticks be." Padriq was confused. "I say nothing." Aja said to Anya and pulled a stick from her bag, holding it out to Padriq. "Pixie Stick." ".....Uh...." Padriq watched as she ripped it open and downed the sugar then smile at him. He merely shook his head at her and she leaned on the bar now, thoughtful.

Again she slipped off the bar stool and headed to the water. About the time Padriq was going to catch her, Azathal broke from his silence. "I think I'm going to head out." This made Aja stop and wave, she also caught Stas's news to Anya. "And don't you be telling Amelia. I think she'd have my head, especially since she kind of agreed to marry me." "Marry' More happy news!" this seemed to distract her from whatever she had thought up. "Your guilty secret is safe with me." Anya said to Stas. "Take care, Azathal. And Aja Bird, you cannot walk on water." "I know...but I wanna see where Neo went." Aja half pouted. "Nae lass ye be gettin sugar from me." Padriq tried distracting her. "You are not a Keeper of Water. You will drown. Drowned Aja means unhappy me, among others." Anya reminded Aja who nodded.

"Ok. No seeing where Neo went." She sighed then looked around before adding. "Gonna be awful hard to raid his dresser to see what underwear he wears though." At that, Aja picked up her drink and took a sip as if there was nothing off about what she said. Padriq looked at her confused, blinking at the statement. "Uh." "Aja, you dirty bird." Anya scolded making Aja look up at them confused. "Well if we see a girl that likes Neo...gotta make sure she likes what he wears." Her simple explanation was given with the most innocent of expressions. She honestly thought that line of thinking made perfect sense. Padriq smirked at her, amused with his lass and the way her mind seemed to work. She jerked a thumb to Padriq then. "He doesn't wear any." She pondered that for a moment. "I think Neo probably wears underwear." "Well," Anya started musing about that. "I could always depants him." "Boxers, silk and black, for the record." Stas piped up. "Very sexy." Aja grinned. "Amelia thinks so." Stas grinned. Padriq was still grinning watching Aja. "I have black ones today." She said kicking her foot back and forth, then looked puzzled. "I think." This made Padriq's eyebrows go up some, and he tried not to laugh. "Boxers, Aja?" Stas asked grinning, Aja was looking at Padriq. "You watched me get dressed this morning." She said then looked at Stas. "No boxers. French cut." She didn't see a reason to include the word underwear on that since that's what they had been talking about. She looked back at Padriq expectantly. "All o' it be righ. Even though it wus a shame t' see ye clothed." He gave her a wink. "Some things I do not need to know about the Head Brat, Aja. That..." Anya trailed off with a groan. Aja realized she must have ventured into too much information land and gave a soft snicker. "Sorry." "Black what?" Stas asked confused at the way Aja jumped around. But he got what Padriq watching her get dressed meant, and dug some aluminum packets from his pocket and put them on the bar by Padriq. "French cut what? Green beans?" Aja looked at Stas like he had lost his mind when he asked that. Anya was laughing about the packets on the counter and Padriq decided to be helpful. "Nae, it be like this." He said to Stas and outlined her panties through Aja's dress. Then Stas got it. "Oh. Amelia just wears g-strings." Then the man realized he may have said too much. "Butt floss." Anya said with a nose wrinkle. Padriq snickered as Aja repeated it and kissed her shoulder. "Ahem. Yes. Uh..butt floss." Stas said looking a little pink. "But you like it." Aja grinned broadly. "Well, yeah. Have you seen my fianc??" "I have and congratulations." Anya smiled. "Thank you." Stas grinned and sat back in his chair. "Me girl be amazin...N' stunnin..." Padriq piped up proudly gesturing to Aja who had been kicking her foot back and forth, but stopped and turned an interesting shade of pink. "Yes she is, sir." Stas gave Aja a fond smile. "Treat her well." "I plan t' mate. Plan t'." Padriq caressed her arm, Aja tried to hide then as the blush got brighter. He kissed her head then. "And wear the nillies." He nodded to the packets on the bar. "Unless Aja wants to be my next patient?" "I wonder if I should have red as one of the colors for my wedding, eventually....since one of my maids of honor looks so good in it." Anya teased Aja seeing her blush, who glanced up at her and blushed again. "Huh?" Padriq asked Stas not realizing the man was an obstetrician at the clinic.

"Aja doesn't have ta worry about that particular problem." This seemed to confused Padriq further. "Stas here is our new obstetrician on staff at Riverview, Padriq." Anya offered helpfully. "Nillies for your willy, sir." Stas said again nodding to the packets on the bar. "Obsterywuty?" Padriq just looked lost, Aja smiled at him. "Baby doctor." Aja simply said, then corrected herself. "Baby mama doctor rather." "Oh....." Padriq got that, but he was looking at Aja now curiously. "Lady doctor." Stas corrected then went on talking to Anya about work things.

"I do not have to worry about seeing Stas professionally." Aja said then took a sip of her drink staring off into space. She looked at Padriq after a moment. "Yer quiet." "Jus' tryin' t' know why ye say tha' luv." "The baby thing?" she asked and he nodded. "Aye." Aja nodded a little, the thought being a slightly sobering one. "After Mara....there was a ship we were ferrying across...the cargo precious.." she fidgeted with the edge of her dress as she related the tale. "We were boarded....one hell of a fight...but I took a blade." She took a deep breath then. "Parker saved me...but as for any more children.." she just shook her head slightly. Padriq wrapped his arm around her. "Shhh....It be alrigh' lass." He didn't know what to say to her, she knew. "Oh...I'm fine...Just...::shrugs:: Way of the world for us. Hence why I didn't want you to see..." she trailed off thinking of her reasons for being nervous being naked in front of Padriq that afternoon on the ship. The scars from the battles, that told tales of very close calls. "Just ...was a long time ago." "I 'ave seen it lass, ye ferget tha' lass?" she nodded a bit at that, not looking at him, taking another sip of her drink. He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Let's be goin "ome lass." Aja nodded to that and slide off the bar stool. "Wonderful idea." She went over to Anya and hugged her. "Good night my sweet sister. I am very happy for you." "And I am happy for you, sister mine." Anya hugged her back. "I shall see you lovely people tomorrow." Aja shouldered her bag. Anya waved to Padriq. "Take care of her, Hugging Brat." He gave her a nod, then guided Aja through the portal.

On the way home, Aja looped her arm through his, to walk straight cause on her own, it seemed impossible. He smiled at her, thinking it was good that she was having a string of good nights. She was quiet now, Padriq would learn that quiet meant thinking. "My boys shall be talked to...they are suppose to be watching that ship, damn it." Apparently, Aja hadn't forgotten when he first came onto the isle. "Lass." He stopped them, turning her to look at him as he held her close. "Do nae worry about it fer now. Alrigh' Let's just be ye n' me for tonigh." He held her to him and kissed her head. "Fine." Aja said, not liking to be derailed from any course of action that had her thinking. "I'll kick their arse tomorrow." Padriq nodded thinking that would be the end of it. He picked her up to make the journey home quicker. And it was, but Aja now could focus solely on what her brain was turning over. She nuzzled her face into his neck, breathing in his scent and loving how safe he made her feel, and the thought that it could be taken away ticked away in her head. "Is someone after you, Padriq?" she asked quietly fearing the answer. "I do nae know lass, but ye do nae 'ave t' worry." He tried to reassure her as he opened the door to her house, and kicked it shut behind them. As he walked up the stairs with her, he gave a gentle pat with his fingers. "We'll deal with it n' time." "Time." She muttered softly thinking about that, the alcohol making her tired. "Ok." It seemed to dawn on her that they were no longer outside. She looked around recognizing her house and looking at him surprised. "We're home?" he laid her on the bed, her bag falling then to the floor next to the bed. He caressed her cheek gently. "Yes luv we be 'ome. It be time t' sleep alrigh?" Aja kicked her shoes off and sat up suddenly, sliding off the bed. "Gotta take dress off." She turned her back to him and looked over her shoulder at him. "Unzip it please?" Padriq nodded, unzipping the dress semi slow, enjoying the simple task and running his knuckle along her spine as he did.

The silk dress floated down, Aja grabbed the strap, stepped out of the dress without wobbling and tossed it to the chair. "Padriq..I?" she trailed off then, a moment passed as she turned to look at him. "I'm glad yer here. With me." He tossed his shirt to the chair and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her down to the bed with him. "N' I be glad ye be 'ere wit me lass." He covered them up with the blankets. She snuggled against him. "And we'll worry about other stuff tomorrow?" she asked her voice sort of small sounding to her own ears. "Aye lass..." Aja was going to close her eyes to that, but caught sight of moving light. A crystal he put in the window, caught the light and made it look like stars were dancing along the walls. "What did you do?" Aja asked indicating the little lights on wall and then looked at him curiously. "Jus' wanted ye t' feel like ye were back on the sea n' under the stars lass." He nestled into the bed with her and she kissed his head gently seeing how tired he was. "You know I'm gonna read them the riot act tomorrow, right?" Aja asked not able to let go of the thoughts in her head. "Tomorrow ye cun do wut ye wish luv. Fer now sleep." "Ok, luv. You sleep. I'm not going anywhere.? She held his head against her breast and stroked his hair, he pulled her tighter to him and drifted off. Aja kept stroking his hair until she was sure he was asleep then joined him.

~Admitting It~

They walked home from the inn at brisk pace. She smiled over at him. "This fast enough fer ya?" "Nae." He grinned just a second before swooping in and tossing her over his shoulder, sprinting the distance to home. She laughed at this as she hung on to him. "Padriq! Yer gonna hurt yerself!" she called, but he didn't seem to heed that, he was still running as fast as he could and snickering. "Lass I will be fine." "Padriq Kidd! Put me down you lunatic!"

He wouldn't put her down. He rushed into the door of the home, up the stairs and then into their room. Shutting the door behind him he grinned and tossed her on the bed before jumping in after her. Aja bounced slightly, laughing, then squealed as she is pounced on. "My god, what?s gotten into you tonight?" she looked up at him with a wide smile, not minding the new behavior just wondering what he was thinking right now. He kissed her for a moment, then pulled back enough to whisper. "Luv I had a epiphany." He announced quietly. "An epiphany, eh?" she was looking at him curiously with a smile. "Care to share this new thinking with me, or are you just going to ravage me first?" that made him grin. "I luv ye lass, ye captured me from 'ello. I wus crazy about ye, n' crazy jealous." Another kiss granted to her lips. "I 'ave nae ever felt this way." "Crazy jealous?" That one caught her attention, Why would he have been jealous" The question pings around in her head, then she leaned up on her elbows to get a better look at him in the dim lighting from the bathroom hall. She ponders what he is saying. "Surely, ya have at some point. I mean...Ya married Jamie." He gave her a smile at her question. "I luved Jamie. Do nae get me wron'. But I feel like I 'ave been waitin' fer ye." He was simple in his explanation, which just took her by surprise. Her mouth opened to say something, but nothing came out. She closed it again. "Think, damn it." She scolded herself. The man was distracting, she looked at him helplessly still unable to say a word. She pushed him to his back and slipped away before he could reach out to grab her. She stood at the end of the bed, leaning on one of the posts, looking at him. "Yer telling me that ...." she rubbed at her head cause it refused to focus. "Yer saying that you....Damn it, I can't think when I'm around you." She looked at him helplessly. "I can't think...I can barely breathe, Padriq...you're the guy a girl like me doesn't get to have." She kicked the bed post irritated with herself. "And I just keep waiting for you to say it was all a mistake...Then tonight....you say that...and I want.." again she trailed off, unable to keep that thought coherent. She sank down to the end of the bed slowly, fidgeting with her hands. He shifted up after listening to her. His hand moved to touch her back softly. "Luv....Ye 'ave me. N' nae a force in this world will take me away from ye' he gave her a fond smile. "Ye be amazin' lass. I could nae be 'appier. Wut ever ye wan' I will go t' the ends o' the Earth t' get ye, jus' t' see ye smile."

Aja looked over at him, silent for a long moment. Did he not know how he made her feel" Had she not told him what he meant' "You have no idea, Padriq. How happy I have been lately since you came into my life. Since that day you walked into the inn. And I teased you about being like yer brothers...Since I saw you the night Bridget was hurt...since that kiss on the isle....and I knew I shouldn't even be thinking it cause Nikki was here...but I couldn't have stopped it." There had to be more eloquent people in the world, Aja just wasn't one of them right now. "You're like a summer squall....came up outta nowhere. I wasn't ready. I had no defense against you." She sighed then. "I still don't." She stared at the floor feeling like she wasn't making a whole lot of sense. She probably wasn't. "I've never known anyone like you. Even with the mistakes ya made along the way...you still showed great loyalty to yer family...that is the quality I admire most about you." He caressed her back and then ran his fingers through her hair as she spoke. He smiled softly at her words. "N' tha' loyalty be yers now." She looked back at him and nodded a little.

"That moment...that space of a heartbeat.." she touched back to Isle when she told him there would be a moment where she knew. "I've been fighting cause I feared the crash." She reached out then, touching his face, gently. "But you're making that fight so much harder." He leaned into her touch and kissed her palm. "Lass iffin ye crashed....I'd be there t' catch ye." Her eyes closed at that kiss, she listened to what he said and decided to lay out another fear. "I would be devastated if you left, Padriq. Yer in my head. All day. Every other moment. I can't even yell at my guys without somehow you popping into my head." "Ye are a constan' though' in me 'ead Aja...N' I nae ever wan' ye t' leave me mind fer a moment." He answered back immediately as he wrapped his arms about her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. And at that, she knew she was lost. He had her, the smallest gesture broke the will to fight anymore. "You break my heart and I'll hunt you down." Again she touched his face. "I swear I will. Cause I just can't fight you anymore." She moved slowly so he didn't fall, and turned to stand looking at him. "I can't...and I don't want to...Tonight...ya won." Padriq shifted and slid to the edge of the bed. He pulled her in and kisses her stomach before resting his head there. "I wan' ye t' be able t' say so freely. Nae let me win lass. Jus' luv me." She stroked his hair and kissed the top of his head. "I don't have a choice in that matter, Padriq." Then added quietly. "I do love you." That made him look up at her and whisper softly. "Truly?" it was like he feared the answer. "Or are ye jus' sayin' tha' cus ye feel forced t'?" "I do love you. It's getting stronger...and I find myself really quite lost. Don't know what to do, or how to behave. No one has ever ...there's never been anyone like you...not in my world." Padriq stood up, brushing her hair back from her face, kissing her for a long minute before pulling back to smile at her. "Ye 'ad me luv. I wus jus' t' stupid t' 'ear me 'eart's call." He looked in her eyes. "But ye 'ave me now luv. I be yers. Nae one elses." She gave a soft smile up at him when he said it.

"Yer in love with a complete dork, by the way." She laughed softly. "I haven't a clue how to be romantic." Aja leaned against his chest. "I feel like I'm going to say the wrong things." He smiled to her, his fingers tracing over her cheek. "Ye may be a dork, but ye be me dork....N' I've tha' covered lass. I be willin' t' be the romantic one fer us." Aja could only laugh at that. "I could very well burst right now." She looked up at him. "So much happy news coming in. And." She pressed her lips together for a moment. "Finally admitting to you that.." she took a deep breath and stood straight up, holding his eyes bravely. "I love you." A small pause then. "It's a lot to take in." He kissed her lips and smirked. "I promise I will nae propose tomorrow lass." At those words, Aja let out a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god. Cause that might just kill me." He laughed to that and swooped her up. He spun her about for a moment before laying her down on the bed.

" Jus' one more thin' lass?" she looked up at him, holding her breath for just a moment. "What one more thing?" he leaned down, laying tender kisses along her neck. "Jus' say it one more time lass." Came the soft request making her give a slow exhale and a soft smile. "I love you, Padriq Donald Kidd." For a moment, she closed her eyes and smiled to herself before turning her head to looking at him. "Happy now?" "N' I luv ye Aja DaMaris Bird. Captain o' the Breeze n' keeper o' me 'eart.? Padriq's whisper made her heart flutter, a soft laugh was swallowed up by his heated kiss swept her away again as his fingers trailed through her hair.

She swore that if he wasn't laying on top of her, she could've floated away right then. The giddy heady feeling of hearing him say it and having returned the sentiment. She was most amazed that the world hadn't crashed down in flames just yet. Her arms wrapped around him, returning that kiss with just as much emotion as she could put into it.

~Ways To Scare A Gypsy Pirate~

They walked up to the front door to the house silently. Aja glanced over her shoulder at him as she opened the door. He had never answered her on the wager if they raced their two ships against one another on the sailing trip. "So...about that wager, Captain Kidd?" "Nae luv, we take one ship n' spend time together as a family. It wud be nae fun iffin we wen' on two ships." She heard him say "as a family' and her heart skipped a little. But that thought would simmer later, for now. She was looking forward to spending time alone with him. He had told her he had another surprise for her, and she had to admit that the little surprises were fun. "Yer right. I know you are." They walked into the house which was silent. She looked around for signs of life but saw none, not even the cat. "Everyone's asleep I think." "I wonder iffin Mara found 'er gift yet." He mused about the locket that he left in her bedroom and that made Aja smile again. "Yer a good man. I'm sure if she did, you'll find a note or perhaps be hugged upon sight." That image made her smile softly. "Like mother, like daughter. "Best be gettin' t' me 'ug then....I still need one from ye fer wut be waitin." He nodded to the stairs, that Aja started walking up backwards. "Getting *so* demanding, Captain." She smiled brightly at him. "Impatient to see if yer latest trick will make my heart stop?" "I do nae know luv....It may..." he gave a smirk but it didn't quite reach his eyes. In her nervousness of what he had planned, she missed it. As she got up the stairs, she eyed her bedroom door warily.

"Nothing's going to jump out at me, right" "Nae luv..." he said with a grin as he watched her reach the door. She gave a small chuckle and slowly opened the door to see what tonight's surprise was all about. There was nothing there, all was well. He looked to her and turned her around. "Aja luv, sit down please..." Padriq asked her, and Aja looked at him curiously as she sank to the edge of the bed slowly just watching him. Padriq did the unthinkable, he slid down on one knee before her and kissed her hands. Slowly he places a box upon her knee. "It nae but wut ye be thinkin, but it be jus' as important t' me luv."

Aja took slow deep breathes trying desperately to not freak out, she relaxed when he said it wasn't what she was thinking, cause of the previous heart attack he had about given her at the Marketplace that day. She reached down taking the box, and slowly opening it.

Inside was none other than an engagement ring. He was going to make this effort as calm as possible. "I know we nae 'ave known each other fer very long luv....I know tha' more than anyone....::He shifted, his eyes turning up to look at her.:: But I give ye tha' as a promise.....I luv ye, n' some day, yer gonna get this question again, but properly. I will nae ask ye t' marry me 'ere n' today, but I be promisin' ye wit tha' rin'....::Motions to the sapphire ring with diamonds around it.:: Tha' I will ask ye, because I do nae wan no one else but ye fer the rest o' me life. Good n' bad....I'll take it all fer ye Aja, I know it." It takes a moment, but Aja's body remembers it needs air and she inhales staring at the ring for a long moment before managing to look at him. "I....you..." Aja slowly stood, the ring box still clutched in one hand and she moves to pace at the end of the bed. She stopped once in a while to look at him, the ring and then paces again. The thoughts in her head whirling by too fast to make any sense out of them.

He would watch her. His eyes settled on her as he scratched at his scruff. He would listen to her words and nod softly. Padriq was very much afraid he had done something wrong, but he was only following his heart. When she comes to a stop, she looked at him and as calmly as she could said.

"You have to *stop* scaring the hell out of me, Padriq." "Aye luv." He nodded at that looking at her, she was so wrapped up in her panic, she couldn't decipher the look. Putting a hand to her chest, she sank to the end of the bed. "Gods....I don't know what to say to this Padriq." She tried coming up with something to say that wouldn't make her sound completely off her rocker, but came up blank. "I ...it's all a mess in here on a good day...this is ....this is....panic attack inducing....cause I do not deserve it." He rose up and sat next to her. His arm folded around her and he pulled her in as he whispered. "Lass, ye deserve everythin' the world cud give ye....Ye know tha' luv. I wan' t' give ye everythin' I cun....I will give ye everythin'." She heard those words and sighed a little, the man was so sweet and so good to her. He needed to know why she was flipping out where some other girl might be thrilled beyond belief.

"I'm terrified, Padriq...simply terrified." She took a few shaky deep breathes to calm herself, then tried to explain herself to the man she had come to love very much. "I married Tristan...and he died....little over a year later." Another deep breath remembering how it had knocked her back when she learned of Tristan's death. "And I swore I was done...with marriage.." she looked at him and continued her explanation which she was sure she was blowing. "But then Huma...and it was all fine...but then his jealousy and possessiveness.....I couldn't take it...and again...I swore I was done with it..." She looked at him, the fear and heartbreak seen clearly in the amber. "I am a mess from top to bottom. You deserve so much. And I.." she couldn't keep the tears from escaping then, to hide she turned her head. "I don't ever want you to regret being with me." He spoke softly, as his hand moving to cup her chin and turn her to face him. "I cun nae promiss ye tha' there nae be days tha' I will nae wan' t' be angry at ye." He wiped away the tears from her cheeks with a gentle hand as he spoke. "There may be days tha' I may be so mad tha' I will nae want t' talk t' ye fer a bit, but luv..." he kissed her forehead, picking up her hand and placing it to his chest. "I luv ye....Luv ye so damn much I sometimes cun nae breathe. Yer stuck wit me Captain Bird. Fer as lon' as ye'll 'ave me."

Aja simply stared at him for a long moment, thinking about what he said. All of it spinning around in her head and then her mind clicked on one he said near the beginning that got buried by the panic of the implications of that ring. She looked at him cautiously. "Yer not asking me now?" he shook his head. "Unless ye wan' me t'..." He whispered as he caressed her cheek, before leaning forward and kissed at her nose softly. he would notice her visibly relaxing at that. She took a slow steady breath, then looked at him. "I can put that in the jewelry box for now" Take some time. To think about it?" He nodded to her softly and murmured. "As ye wish luv."

Aja let a slow smile grace her lips then and she reached out, touching his face gently, wanting him to know that these were her fears and not him. "It's just ....all so fast.." she smiled at him. "You make me feel so off balance. Like the world never quite settles before spin me around again. And I love that about you, but it also scares me." He looked at her, letting her say what she needed to. "I have no doubt in my head that you mean every word of it....now." She thought of things that may drive the man crazy when dealing with her. "But what about after we spend two weeks at sea together" What about when I get so into my work that you have to drag me away from it just to sleep?" She grinned then, not being able to resist tossing one reason that she might have. "What if I don't wanna listen to you snore?" she was teasing him, trying to put them back on normal terms, settle the world again. He snickers softly at the last one, and managed to murmur to her softly. "Luv, two weeks wit ye be the test....The test, then there be ye bein' so involved in yer work, I luv tha' idea, draggin ye away t' jus 'ave ye sleep..." his grin got broader then as he continued. "I cun nae 'elp it iffin I wus snorin' las' nigh' ye wore me ou'. " she laughed at that and leaned into him, hugging him tightly. She took advantage of him not being able to see her just then, to take a quick glance at that ring again, giving it a tiny smile, before she closed her eyes and buried her face into his neck. "I love you, Padriq. I swear that." She whispered loud enough for him to hear then smiled about her crazy behavior and thought about their upcoming sail. "Promise you won't throw me overboard if I drive you nuts at sea?" "Iffin I threw ye over board I'd come get ye on the way 'ome..." he too was grinning, then he kissed her head with a soft laugh, she was sure he thought her completely nutty. His voice was gentle when he spoke again. "I luv ye too Aja. I swear it on me name as a Kidd. Whatever weight tha' 'olds t' ye." "It holds a lot." She smiled at him. "Yer a rowdy bunch, but hearts of gold. Every last one of ya, even the pud." She snickered at her favorite new nickname for Robert, then hoped he understood how much she truly did treasure him. Cause she did, he was amazing to her, but his intensity outdid her own, especially in love. "This is one of those times...that you're just gonna have to let me breathe for a moment. And hopefully when you really do ask me, I'll be able to answer you without losing my damn mind." He laughs softly to those words and kisses her forehead. If they had hearts of gold, Aja had a diamond for a heart. Priceless and unbreakable. He brought his fingers through her hair and murmured. "But ye be so cute when ye loose yer mind, lass." She gave an unladylike snort at that. "Cute like hull scum." She grinned at him. "I'm nutty and Poseidon help you, cause I am so in love with you." "Poseidon blessed me when 'e let me meet ye, lass." He whispered, his eyes locked on hers. "N' ye will nae believe it....But when I kissed ye tha' day I wanted t' tell ye jus' 'ow much I luved ye." That made the world spin again. The damn man always threw her for loops. She blinked at that completely flabbergasted by the confession.

"How" How could you know that?" she looked simply perplexed and amazed. "I mean...I knew it the moment I met you that you were different, but the rest of what you were snuck up on me, overwhelmed me." "Cus I knew then n' there that nae matter 'ow lon' it took....I wud, someday, be able t' at least be close t' ye fer one small moment like I be now." "I ..wow.." she kissed him gently with nothing else to say, she needed a moment to think. "I wish I had that...but you completely blindsided me, Kidd. Never saw you coming, and never stood a chance." She was dead serious about that. She had always found Padriq interesting, but had never considered it would ever go here. "Yer a hard man to resist." That made him grin softly as he squeezed her a little. "Ye be a 'ard woman t' resist t' Bird." She could hear the smile in his voice, that smile she loved so much. "From the moment I laid eyes on ye it was 'ard nae t' wonder wut kind of woman ye wud be." That made her laugh and she again tried to balance the world out with her usual style of joking. "If you guessed insane, you win the cookie." "I did, but it only made me wan' ye even more. lass." He kissed her forehead then. "I'll give ya this...yer a persistent one." She gave him a bright smile. "Kept chippin away till ya got me." "N' ye 'ave nade idea wut ye mean t' me lass. Ye were worth waitin' fer n' more. Much more." Another kiss to her head was given and she again found the world spinning on her. Several expressions crossed her face in rapid succession and she shook her head quickly giving him a smile. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to you saying things like that." She took his hands in hers then. "But I'd like to find out. Ya know," she gave a one shoulder shrug with a head tilt. "If you think you can put up with that long." "I wud too lass. I wud too."

They stayed close together for a long moment before Aja felt the need to get up and move around. "So, where we planning to sail to, Captain Kidd?" She snapped the ring box closed, as if it was judgment on the conversation, and it was deemed put on hold without prejudice. She gave a soft smile while getting up, crossing to the night stand to open the music box, the tune filling the room as she places the ring inside with a secret little smile. Padriq watched her as he lay back on the bed and gave a smirk to the question she asked. "I 'ave nae thought tha' far." He said making her give a small nod as she gently closed the lid on the music box, making her brain focus on the upcoming trip. "Ok." She turned slowly to look at him with a smile. "Mara's gonna be thrilled. She loves sailin as much as her mother. Yer gonna be a flippin hero in her book.: "N' in yer book lass?" He wanted to make right by the kids. As any man should. When a woman had children, the children were a part of her. If they didn't like him, he could consider himself nixed. But he still loved kids. Wanted some of his own someday, but he was enjoying Aja's all the same. A little girl to spoil and a boy to go fishin with. It worked for him. He watched her settle on the edge of the bed, and start taking off her boot.

"In my book" I already think yer an amazing man." She tossed the boots by the chair, and rose up going to the french doors leading to the patio, opening them, letting ocean air drift into the room. "And aside from scaring Maria, even she believes yer a good man." She turned chuckling a little. "Although, she suggested you wearing boxers to bed." She gave him a grin. "Told her I rather like you sleeping naked." "I rather like meself sleepin' naked too luv." They were getting ready for bed, their easy banter running along like always. It was comforting and fun for her. "I like the way you feel next to me. Since we've started sleeping together, I rather like being naked right beside you." She continued undressing, and thought of being a sea with the kids could be like. "Something we probably shouldn't do on the ship, however." He glanced over his shoulder at her then. "Aye, wit the kids aroun'....I understand luv." "And if someone is foolish enough to try to board us." She said slipping into bed, looking at him. "But as much as I like full frontal Kidd, I doubt my children would be as thrilled." He laughed out loud at that and shook his head for a moment. "Ye know ye luv the way I be lass. Do nae denie tha' ye nae 'ave 'ad the thought of me naked while ye be on yer ship." She laughed at that and went along with the playful teasing. "Ya got me. Ok. I admit it. I have thought about you naked. Before I actually got to see it." He did an arm flex for her making her reach out for him. "I have to say, that I like the reality so much better than the fantasy." "N' I did ye as well luv." He said stepping out her reach making her give him a mock pout. "Mean." She couldn't hold in the grin and laid on her side, propping her head up with her hand. "I love watching you." She said softly. He got into bed with her, smiling about that. "I luv feelin yer eyes on me luv." "Yeah' Good. Cause I have a tiny confession." She gave a soft smile then, making him raise a brow at her, tilting his head slightly. "Sometimes....when I wake up at night, I lay here and watch you sleep. You look so peaceful." "Why wud I nae be at peace unless ye be by me side luv." "I don't know....just most of the time ya got that grin on yer face like yer about ta tell a really good joke." She kissed his chest then. "Which is great and I love it. Sometimes, I just like to look at you, think about stuff...when yer sleeping, I don't feel so ...silly for doing it." "I luv t' look at ye as much as I cun luv." His hands were playing with her hair, something she loved dearly. "Ye always look so wonderful luv." She thanked the gods for the dim lighting in the room, cause she blushed then, but she was pretty sure he could feel the heat coming off her cheeks. She snuggled up to him. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to you saying those things." He laughed softly, tracing her cheek tenderly, drawing in a breath looking out at the sky. "Lass ye keep tellin' me tha'....N' guess wut....Tha' be fine by me.?

More banter followed till they had run out of words. They didn't make love, instead, Padriq found a new way of showing her how much he loved her. Aja found herself being overwhelmed in her own body by the feelings he stirred up with a simple touch of his hand. His kisses as good as brand. He wove a special kind of magic, she thought, every night that passed made it hard for her to imagine any without him there with her.