It had been in the dead of night. Sisika was sleeping softly wrapped gently in the warm covers of her bed. William asleep in his bed across the room. She didn't hear the wood creaking under a step of a silent boot. Mainly because they lived in a boat and the wood was always creaking and so you got so used to it you didn't pay any attention to it anymore. She sighed in her sleep. Rolling over her arm searching for something that wasn't there, the pale moonlight of the window fell upon her small thin body. She was what they were after, the same thugs from that day in the market place, the ones that knew she wasn't the Dark Lady and were out to prove it.


A clothe fell over her nose and while she struggled for a moment she was soon knocked out and they picked up the fragile girl from her bed and carried her off leaving the pirate sleeping in his bed as though nothing had happened. Upstairs they left a calling card, a red hilted knife stuck through the door to the down cabin area. They boarded their ship again and set sail for the island, the one that the couple had just come from not two days past. They headed back, with the full intent to torture and get the truth out of the girl, maybe have a bit of fun with her.


Silky skin, silky hair, no callouses. She wasn't a pirate, she was noble, and that would make playing with her all that much better. Maybe they could find out who she was and ransom her off for return. They knew they had a prize now, and so bound and gagged Sissy was tossed down in the storage hull on stinking and rotting hay that was filled with droppings. They ship took off at top speed using the wind to their advantage, and when William woke, he would find his most precious Sissy missing.

It had been a good day. The sea had been rough, but Sissy and William were getting closer. Though still in two separate beds, the two had a booming friendship and just a bit more. Sharing innocent kisses here and there, just as before, William teaching her how to maintain the ship and a few other small tricks of the pirate trade, such as slight of hand. She had show interest in it when they had first set out at sea. Soon he knew he would have to teach her some of the "darker" areas of the profession, such as stealing, fighting, and more.

Of course, stealing was done in reason, and only from those who could handle a loss. Fighting was done when necessary, and all the "darker" areas William went at the same way he approached everything... light hearted and with a smile. He awoke, that smile from a dream that he would rather be made a reality lingering on his mind (though at this time, Sissy would most likely kill him for having such thoughts about her. Hey, he was human and who could hold him accountable for a dream?)

He turned in his bed, and looked to hers. "Well, let us get started, shall we my dear?" He blinked, and looked again... Sissy was not in bed. Heh... she must have started early

He headed above deck, and the first thing he noticed was the dagger. He recognized it immediately, and quickly put two and two together. "No... Sissy, I am so sorry." He gripped the knife in his hand, and a tear ran from his eye. He knew who it was, the very same pirates who gave them a problem from the island they had supplied at. Viper's Strike was a vicious group that William had dealt with before, and they did not take being insulted lightly. They must have tracked them and taken Sissy, and William knew they headed for the island.

He raced to the wheel. "Sissy... I am coming." He looked to the sky. "Calypso keep her safe. If anything happens to her, I'll never forgive myself." It had only been a few days, and already he was having difficulty keeping to his vow to protect her. With a knot in his stomach and praying for her safety, William turned the ship around and headed for the island.

Maybe his prayer didn't fall on deaf ears, as the wind seemed to fill his sails. His heart pounded. He was never so scared in his life. He was beginning to fully realize how he really felt about her. Why else would he be terrified right now?

"If they harm one hair on her head, much blood will be shed."

Sissy woke to a viscious slap to her face. Her eyes shot open and she looked up at the men that towered over her, leering snears over all their faces. One, was big and burly, a huge beard covered half his face, she could just see the pink pouting lips. His eyes were dark as coal and he was quite overweight for a pirate. The others, it seemed suffored for the glutton of what she assumed was the leader, they were all skinny, missing teeth, and obviously flea bitten. She couldn't speak, but even if the gag was not in the way she wouldn't have spoken anyway, she only spoke to those that she trusted and these men would never be in a position where she would be able to trust them at all.


"So tell us little girl, who are you really?" asked the big one who sent a hard kick to her stomach. And while her eyes closed, she didn't wince, or cry out. She was used to this kind of beating.


"Tough girly huh? I bet we can break her eh boss?" said the scrimpy one beside the big guy.


"Open the shirt, we'll break her." said the large man. She was hoisted up and thrown against a wall, she could tell they were not on a ship but on dry land without the sway of the ship she was all used to. They ripped open her linen shirt and the whip was placed in the large man's hand.


He began to whip her. Harshly, over and over again, right over old scars creating new ones. She didn't make a sound, which only pissed the man off more and more, but she wasn't making a sound.


William.. please.. I'm so sorry.. I'm weak.. I'll always be weak..

Damn it ship... move! It turned out the storm had thrown the ship off course, and the island wasn't actually that far. First time I've ever been thankful for a storm on the sea. William mused, but not jokingly. Sissy was in greater danger than she knew, and he took all the blame. After all, it was he who asked her to join him, he who took her to that criminal covered spit of land, and he who put all this danger too close to her far too soon. He was a lousy teacher.

It had been two hours before he managed to get ashore, and he docked his ship. He began heading inland as the port collector came to him for the docking tax.

"Sir, you have to pay to..." He didn't get any more out, as William's blade was at the man's neck. "I am William Rackham, the Phoenix of the sea. A ship came here, a few men and a girl. You tell me where they are, or you will suffer far worse than they will when I find them."

William almost NEVER used his name, especially not to gain special treatment. However, this was a desperate time, and he was using the fear he had generated to get information. The collector was silent, but after hearing the name he knew the man standing before him was not to be trifled with. "The ship I am seeking carried all or part of the Viper's Strike. Where can I find them?"

"They hold up in the tavern, not far from here. At least, that was where they headed. But, you don't know what you are getting involved..."

"On the contrary... I know EXACTLY what I am getting involved in." He sheathed his sword, and flipped two gold coins at the man. he raced toward the tavern. Once inside, he looked around. The place had a few patrons, all who ignored his entry. He walked right to the tavern keeper.

"Where are they?"



"Who?"

"Don't play stupid with me. I am in no mood, and am not to be trifled with. I want the Viper's Strike crew. They took something very valuable from me, and I intend to get it back."

"Well boy, I happen to be one of that crew. So I suggest you William grabbed the man's collar and pulled him over the bar. he dropped him to the ground, and aimed his pistol at his face.

"You tell me where your friends are, or my pistol gets a test fire, savvy?" The man looked into William's eyes, and knew how serious he was. "The sea Phoenix doesn't take kindly to this type of behavior."

The man gave in, and indicated behind the bar. With one swift blow, William knocked him out with the hilt of his sword, and the patrons who had been watching all returned to their conversations. He hopped the bar, and saw the trapdoor. Lifting it slowly, he descended the stairs. He heard voices, and some other very unpleasant sounds. Instantly, his normal persona took over. He couldn't afford to show his rage. Not yet.

He walked in, seeing Sissy bloody made his stomach knot and turn. She would never forgive him, and he couldn't forgive himself. He caught everyone's attention with his voice.

"Gentlemen... don't you know how dangerous it is to steal from a pirate?"

"Gentlemen... don't you know how dangerous it is to steal from a pirate?"


IT WAS WILLIAM!!


The whipping stopped for a moment and the young noble got a reprieve, her back ws open and bloody, but she would live, she had in the past and she would again. She sighed softly as she heard the men turn from her, never once had she uttered a sound and they had tried to pummel her too, but the bruises were hidden at the moment by her clothing, and the blood flowing down her back, she sunk to her knees for a moment. She didn't know what was going to happen now but she had full faith in William. He had never seen her back before now, but if he cleaned it later he would see all the old scars.


The burly guy turned around and grinned.


"Dark Lady my ass you Lime disease ridden bastard." he laughed jovially. "She would have fought me back by now, and that little harlot hasn't said a word, you've got yourself a damaged girl, didn't know you swung that way exactly." he laughed.


"We're going to enjoy making this one cry out. Want to join in Phoenix, or are you too chicken." he laughed.

Only Sissy would notice the twitch in the vein on William's neck. He was so enraged, but he couldn't let that out. Not just yet. "Ah, so you discovered the secret. Took you all long enough. How long after we set out to sea did you finally realize that this 'damaged girl' managed to not only trick you all, but had one of you peeing himself out of fear?" He looked to one of the thinner ones, and sniffed the air. "From the smell, it seems you still have yet to rinse yourself off."

He walked slowly, not letting one of them get behind him. He looked at Sissy's back, the wounds cutting her deep cut him even more. Sissy... what have I done. "Now look... I held this girl for ransom from her home, took her fair and square right from her fiance'. I've been holding out for some time. The Dark Lady seemed a good cover at the time."

They let him get close to her, still thinking he would actually join them. He didn't let it slip at all in his body language that he was attached to her, at least not more than a financial interest. "I am simply here to reclaim what I rightfully stole." His eyes met hers, brief enough to flash his true feelings for her. It was a moment that would convey everything to her through his eyes. "She is my treasure." He turned back to the men. "And she is mine to do with as I please."

He took the whip form the men. "Join you, maties?" He turned to Sissy, and raised the whip in his left hand, his right at the handle of his sword. The whip snapped, but not anywhere near Sissy. It snapped at the foot of the burly man.

He drew his sword, stabbing the stumbling man in the hand reaching for his own blade. He stood facing the other two. He drew his pistol, wasting no time in shooting one of the thinner ones, dropping him to the floor with a thud. The other had his sword drawn, coming after William. The man was not half as good with a blade, and William had only to drop to one knee and extend his sword, thrusting it deep into his gut. He then turned on the burly one, obviously the one in charge.

"You insulted me one too many times before, but this is more than too far." He stood over the man, who had managed to grab a dagger without William knowing. He was too enraged. "You took the one treasure I had that is more precious to me than anything on my ship."

The man moved quickly, far quicker than William though he could, and stabbed him in his his leg. William let out a shout of pain., and stumbled himself.

"Oh, and what was that, Phoenix?" He managed to stand, as William dropped to one knee again. "A rich noble who is nothing but a helpless little girl, holding her for money? Sounds like something too petty to come all this way for."

William moved faster, driving his sword deep into the mans chest, aiming right for his heart. He stood, gritting through the pain. "No... you tried to take my love. And that deserves a fate worse than death." The man slid off Williams blade, and slumped to the ground, still alive, but dying fast. "Yes... a fate worse than death. But I guess I'll accept death for now."

He was bleeding, but he would live. He managed to get Sissy free from her bindings, not able to stop the tears now. He didn't know what to say to her. "Sissy... this is all my fault. I am sorry I couldn't protect you." He bowed his head, unable to look her in the eye.

Sissy watched as he fought for her. Calling her his treasure, she didn't miss the meaning at all, in fact the glint in his eyes said more to her than his words. But she still had to admit she was shocked when he suddenly called her his love. She was shocked, because she had thought about saying it to him so many times, opening her mouth only to shut it again, claiming that she had nothing important to say in the end. William always seemed to be so understanding with her, and he would never push for her to say anything when she wasn't ready to. and now, because these men had kidnapped her she had found out she wasloved, though not quite the way she had hoped.


He rushed over to her, his fighting was beautiful, she was in awe of his skill she could only hope to be as good one day, though she doubted she ever would. He couldn't seem to look into her eyes, as he knelt down saying he was sorry he couldn't protect her. She blushed softly as she took his chin and made him look up at her, she smiled softly looking into his eyes.


"I couldn't protect myself." she whispered. "It isn't your job."


She leaned forward and pressed her soft pale lips against his own, gently moving them, a deeper kiss than they had ever shared together, her hand cupped his cheek the pain on her back was nothing right now, not even a dull throb as she kissed him softly. The kiss broke and she looked into his eyes, watching them gently, her own were soft and large, gentle and trusting.


"Lets go home, Will." she whispered softly. "And.. push our beds together."

She forced his eyes to meet hers, assuring him it wasn't his job. "Sissy, it i..." Her lips silenced him mid sentence. It was more then they had shared before. He felt in that kiss feelings she had for him he didn't know she had. He had assumed it was all one sided. He still wasn't sure this was simply a really, really nice thank you, or if it was more. He couldn't comprehend her caring about him that much. After all, he was a pirate. No matter how "good" his intentions ever were, he was a scoundrel, a thief, and considered by many to be the bad guy. After all, who ever heard of a good pirate?

She told him she wanted to go home, and push the beds together. His heart felt light for a moment, and he smiled. He couldn't speak, only nod. He helped her up, and led her up the stairs. He had a small limp, but nothing a bit of rest and bandaging couldn't cure... so he hoped.

The patrons looked in shock, and the man who had been knocked out earlier was coming to. William drew his sword again, putting Sissy behind him. The man froze. "Your crew is three men short now, and you have a mess to clean up. If your crew ever comes near my ship ever again, I will hunt each and every one of you down. This girl is under that same rule. Savvy?"

The man only nodded, and William walked out Sissy close to him. When they arrived back at the ship, he helped her sit down. Ignoring the pain in his leg, and the blood on his own clothes, he began to help her wash up. "I hope you don't think I am being indecent by this." His face was red as he slowly removed the shreds of her shirt, and began to wash her back, gently cleaning the wounds. he could see that she was no stranger to abuse.

"Sissy..." he ran his hand gently down one of the lines. He leaned in, and kissed the back of her neck softly. He couldn't believe she had dealt with this. When he had heard voices, not one of them had been hers. She had never cried out. "You are far stronger than you think. Most men would have broken sooner than you." He finished cleaning her up, and even covered her back up.

"Don't ever be ashamed of your marks." He removed his own shirt, and stood before her. He was lean, and well defined. His back, too had the marks from the lash. There were scars on his arms, obvious from battle and the whip. He had been branded as some prisoners were when captures, especially pirates. "I was called the Phoenix for a reason. Escaping death is not easy." He put his shirt back on, though it remained open in the front.

"You endured torture most couldn't bear to even think about." He took her in his arms slowly. "I f it is within my power, i will not allow it to happen to you ever again." He closed his eyes. "Don't feel you need to hide your marks from me. I still find you beautiful, just as I did when I first saw you." He got very red all of a sudden. "Not that you have to get undressed for me either. I mean, you ... um... nevermind..."

He stood, gritted his teeth, and sat down fast. His leg pain caught up to him, the adrenaline from earlier gone. His hands pushed on his wound, which started to slowly bleed again.