Chapter 18

            “Come here, Maria. It’s ok. I’m glad you’ve stopped crying, love.” Travis beckons for me to come to him after the captain has left. I never knew the captain was such a gentleman. Especially after what happened at the dinner. He even remembered the questions I asked him when he was drunk. I lean against Travis, allowing him to rub my back. “How are you feeling?” he asks, his voice filled with love as he leans down and kisses my forehead.

            “Better, I suppose. Has the captain ever spoken to you like that?” I look into his eyes, reading as they answer the question with a big no.

            “No, he hasn’t. He has never talked to anyone on this ship. It was almost like he was being a father.” Travis responds, thinking the same thing that I was about the captains fatherly tone of voice.

            “Ummmm…” I purr, curling up next to him. “I’m sleepy.” He pulls me to him, allowing me to enjoy the feeling of his strong arms wrapped around my waist.

            “You should be, you’ve had a long day. Lay down, you can stay in here tonight. Slag won’t try anything but I don’t know about the other men.” He says, holding me close, his brown eyes filled with compassion.

            “So, when are you going to start training me, Senior Midshipman Travis Westing. After all, I am just your lowly follower.” I say smartly, having calmed down enough to poke fun at him.

            “Sailor, I order you to kiss me long. I repeat, that is an order.” He responds in the same tone as I had given him.

            “You don’t have to order that one, sir.”I grab his head and pull it to my level, allowing our lips to meet. He pulls me closer, his strong arms wrapping tighter around my waist as mine wrap around his neck. The kiss continues for a long while.

            A knock comes to the door and forces us to part. I give out a sigh and lay back on the bed, enjoying the feel of the roll of the ship.

            “Travis, you have third dog watch today. You might want to come and eat. Ms. Maria, you might want to come and eat too. Pratt brought enough food for all of us and captain sent something special down for you and Travis. Said you have to open it in private.” Steven says through the door. Snickers are coming out of the room as well, letting us know what the boys think that the private part means. Those perverts!

            “You boys better not have touched it or I’ll make you walk the plank.” He calls out to the in a pirate voice. “Aarg, you scurvy dogs! Step away from me booty!” He pulls me up off the bed and drags me across the room, picking me up at the door and carrying me into the main room. “Aarg, clear a chair men! Let the lady have a seat fer she has been through a lot today!”The listen to him, laughing as they do what he ordered. He sets me gently into the seat and then takes the seat next to me.

            “Let’s dig in!” I say, grabbing my drink and surveying what is on the plate in front of me. There is some sort of meat, a biscuit, and what used to be potatoes. I really don’t care though, scarfing down all the food I can because I am so hungry! It is there one minute and the next, it’s gone.

            “Did you like it, Maria?” Joshua says, snickering. I really don’t care. You could put anything in front of me at this moment and I would gladly eat it.

            “Hell yes! I was starving! I haven’t eaten in over 24 hours!” they continue snickering, knowing something that I don’t. I don’t really care. I stand up and leave the table, walking into my room. “I can’t believe it!” I shriek in excitement as I look on my bed. “They gave me fabric, and sewing supplies too! AH!” I run out of my room, holding the items up for all to see. I look around the room and see some of the boys tap there biscuits on the table for an unknown reason. There snickers turn into full out laughter. I stand there, a shocked look on my face.

            “Alright boys, go to your rooms. You’ve had enough fun torturing Maria. Go on now, we will tell you when you can come out.” As the boys stand and go to their berths, I stand in the doorway to mine, still excited about the things I found in my berth.

            “Maria, lets open up this gift that the captain gave us. Here it is.” I bounce over to him, not knowing what is to be found in the box. Whether it is good or bad, nothing will spoil my good mood.

Reviews

[Moyo]

Hmm, you left me wanting for more, I wonder what's inside the box...