The Island came into view before the sun set. The entire crew was setting up to bring The Watcher into the harbor and settle in for a few days. Peacock Cove was home, if the ragtag crew had one at all. Here they were welcome and most in the village knew exactly what sort of men and women would be disembarking.
But unlike most, Peacock Cove was an island where the military and conventions did not reach. So few in the outside world knew of this off the map destination, where what truly mattered to its residence was the type that did. Buffy and her people, for all there illegal ventures, were trusted friends to the island‘s occupants.
The small town claimed the same as most, shops and homes and families and pubs. It would seem very normal to anyone looking upon it, and but for the near ignorance of its existence, it was.
As they drew closer and the sun set, a gleam from torches being lit lead them forward towards the port.
“Now there is a sight for sore eyes.” Xander said as the buildings took on more detail and so did the forms of people walking about near the pier. He was leaning over the rail taking a closer look at the glows of light, searching for something.
Spike unhitched the plank that would be used to leave the ship and could see the same shining orange dots ahead as his mate could. “Sure looks lively.”
“Always is. Only a few know about this place, so they get a little excited when visitors come to call.” The brunette explained, eyes still looking across the sea of faces for the one he’d been waiting to see for what felt like years.
True to what Xander had just said, a low thrum began along the edge of the harbor as groups of people began to line up. It took William a few seconds of listening to the sound grow louder before he realized it was a welcoming call from the coast as the people cheered for the ship of sailors.
As The Watcher came to a halt and Spike handed over the plank to the other side connecting with a THUD on the pier, the crowd yelled louder and several people were forcing themselves to the front calling out names. “Larry!” A girl shorter than the captain herself called. She had deep chocolate colored hair and a thin face.
Before Spike could ask who she was Larry had bound downward and picked the girl up. They soon disappeared into the crowd and Spike had to chuckle at the oversized man’s antics.
“Tara!”
This voice came from behind him and the newest member of the crew turned to see Willow waving frantically to someone on shore. Oz stood beside her and was nodding to apparently the same person. A girl, he surmised when he followed their gazes. The pair left the ship together and met with the curvy blonde woman and the three embraced in a way that in no way could be called simply friendly. Hands were placed intimately just at the waist and they were pressed as closely as 3 could be. He couldn’t help but raise a brow at the sight.
Xander saw where the blonde’s eyes were focused and chuckled. “Yeah, it’s apparently a really good story. Full of sex and secrets and corruption.” He stated, teasing the staring man.
Spike snapped out of it and glared up Xander.
“Oh it really is a good story.” Faith interrupted the boys with Woods right behind her. The couple was loaded down with several bags filled to the top with items.
The dark haired beauty sidled up closer to Spike and continued in a sultry voice. “It’s dirty, it’s depraved and it’s one of the sexiest stories I’ve ever heard.” She whispered softly at the end.
Woods shook his head and rolled his eyes at his woman.
Spike gulped reflexively and closed his eyes to regain his focus. “Oh yeah?”
Faith straightened back up and got a better grip on her bags before she answered him. “Yeah. Of course I’m sworn to secrecy and no one can get it out of me.”
This time Woods spoke up. “Believe her, I’ve tried.”
Spike had to laugh at that. He saw their burden for the first time. “You off to sell a few things?”
Faith looked down at her fistful of the top of a potato sack holding several of her belongings. “Na, just taking some things back to the house.” She shrugged and smiled.
“Oh.” Spike glanced back at the small town and then finished with. “Right.”
They passed by him without another word, anxious to get home and in their private bedroom.
“Xander Harris!!” A yell voiced over all the other murmurs in the crowd still gathered on the pier, now filled with people hugging and greeting missed friends.
Most everyone’s head shot up towards the loud call of the woman wrapped in a stylish black and white frock. She stood with her hands on her hips and was glaring at the usually easy going first mate. The same man who now looked pale and afraid.
“Well aren’t you going to come down here and try to make me naked?” The curious woman asked, her voice still carrying over everyone else.
Xander started to fumble with the things he had stacked in an open topped crate and began to turn a slight pink before he gripped his things tighter and headed down to the woman. Spike watched the two greet each other with passion filled kisses and headed down as well.
Xander was coming up for a breath when he noticed Spike walking past him. “Will, come meet Anya.”
He stopped in his tracks and turned to smile at the light haired female now attached to Xander.
Spike tipped his head in half a nod. “Glad to meet you miss.”
“Missus, you mean.” She glared at her husband. “Mr. Harris, you didn’t talk about me at all?”
“We just picked him up.” The now jittery man tried to explain. “We were a little busy An, it didn’t come up.” Which was true. He was quite in love with his beautiful and lively wife. She never ceased to surprise him whenever they were together. As much as he would love to share that, it was difficult to ponder his life here with her when they were out, it only caused him to miss her that much more.
“It’s true Mrs. Harris, I’ve only just joined in and there has been little time for pleasantries.” He hoped that would help. Although not completely true, he’d not seen anything from the first mate that made him think there were nefarious motives behind the lack of Anya’s mention.
“Hmmm.” She answered still eyeing the stranger. “Well I suppose I can forgive that then.” She abruptly turned to her husband. “Besides, I do not want anything to come between you and me in bed, soon.”
“Oh, well, yeah.” Xander agreed and gave Spike a halfhearted nod. “Enjoy your off time there Spike.” Before turning and walking as quickly as he could with a woman mauling him and a crate weighing down his steps.
“You too, mate.” He chuckled at the couple and then looked around.
Most of the others had cleared and he wasn’t sure where to. He studied the town ahead. Small buildings and large crowds all celebrating a homecoming. There was already loud music and a raucous sing along coming from his left. All happy sounds of people enjoying themselves to extreme.
It was crowded and noisy and absolutely in no way did he feel like getting caught up in it. With a sigh he headed back up onto the now deserted deck. It looked like everyone had departed and that suited him just fine. As much as he liked being on board he missed having his own space.
He tramped below deck towards his bunk and lay back smiling at the near quiet. Just the sounds of waves hitting the anchored ship and the occasional creek of the craft itself was heard. His mind felt light and he let his eyes close to revel in the peace.
It really was a wonderful thing to be alone with one’s thoughts. He went over how much his world had changed in less than a months time. His existence had turned so much that he had trouble reconciling the fact that 4 weeks ago he had nary a friend and now he was surrounded by good people he called friend.
Before, he had no future to ponder or control, and now he literally had the world spread open in front of him. With that one raid he’d gained more wealth than he had saving for those dreadful years of servitude.
He let his thoughts wonder and soon was sleeping.
~~`~~
Buffy nearly flowed onto the ship’s deck. Her boneless body felt exquisite and pleasantly numb. The boardinghouse always knew how to treat her. A hot bath, scented soaps, and complete privacy. She could have lived in the tub filled with steaming bubbled water, but unfortunately the liquid heaven cooled.
So now she was here, aboard her gloriously quiet ship, the sounds of festivities still echoing in the town but less volume was involved. It mixed in with the sounds of the sea and caused a calming shiver to run down her spine. This was home to her. This harbor, on her ship with these stars sparkling high above.
And while most people on her crew traditionally took to the land and the people during these layovers she still preferred her bed in her room. These moments were rare for the captain and she treasured the time alone with her sturdy craft.
Buffy moved leisurely to her chamber and quickly changed into nightclothes, having had to redress in her daily wear after her cleansing. The simple white nightdress’s cotton sang against her skin. The cool crisp air brought gooseflesh to her entire body and as a last thought she threw on the matching robe, simply decorated with a light blue ribbon to tie around her waist. She slid her feet into the white satin slippers and went on deck to breath the sea air.
Her back to the town she studied the blackness of night that lay out over the infinite length of water. The moon was gone and only the shining points of light gave faint notion as to the sea’s surface. But the sounds of small ripples hitting each other and the lapping against the formed wood of The Watcher gave no question of the water’s location.
She sighed a contented sigh and walked slowly to the steps leading down into the belly of the boat. She hadn’t really had her own chance to look over the profits from The Premier. She’d received the lists from Andrew yesterday, but there was something about seeing the fruits of the pillage that always made it more real to her.
Buffy made her way through the boat and immediately saw that the men had done well to separate the frivolous from the practical. Unbeknownst to her at the time, but a second shipment of goods had been added to the manifesto for this particular run. They had stumbled upon the strangest assortment of goods.
There, alongside the fabrics and herbs were lanterns and table wear. While another section held jewels and unset stones, and jumbled with those were carefully chiseled statues and beautifully crafted clothing so unique that they looked like art.
Buffy ran her fingers over one gown made from silk, and lace that was so soft she would swear it was crafted from silk as well. The deep green was a color that she couldn’t recall seeing before while the black lace trimming the cuffs and the low cut neck seemed perfect to deepen the hue further.
With a gleam in her eye the blonde lifted the dress and held it against her frame. There may be need for alterations on the skirt length and possibly the waist but it was too good to give up without a fight.
She ran her hands along the skirt’s length again, pressing the silk against her cloth covered thigh. She then lifted it daintily with one hand and held the dress against herself with the other and mocked a courtesy. “I’m so pleased to meet you.” She said to no one.
“Fairly pleased to meet you as well.”
She heard from behind her bent back and shot up straight so quickly she nearly dropped the garment. She grappled for it and spun to see a grinning William scratching his stomach under his tunic. “Don’t let me stop the introductions. Seems to be a man of high standing you’ve got there, and you know how impatient the overindulged can be.”
Despite her embarrassment she laughed at his statement. “Well then I hardly think I should waste my time with him.” she cleared her throat of the last few giggles and tried to take on her more respectable form of speech. “I really can’t abide men that lack the patience to wait for a lady.”
“Dreadful manners really.” Spike agreed. He took notice of the clothing the woman held, and the ones she wore. “I take it you weren’t expecting company?”
Buffy looked down at her state of dress and brought the green material up higher in an attempt to cover herself. “Well, no. I mean-” She had to take a breath to settle herself. “Everyone goes to town.” She attempted to explain. “But I can’t sleep there. I guess I’m just used to it here.”
Spike nodded, understanding how a captain might feel. “Sorry I mucked up the plans then. Was all a bit too much though. They all know each other and missin’ each other. Thought a bit of quiet would be nice too.”
And for the first time since he’d come on board there seemed to come an understanding between the two. She’d really not gotten to know him very well, things had been so rushed and her own troubles were taking much of her spare time. But they both seemed to enjoy the calm and serenity that came with time alone.
She smiled and kept hold of the garment before heading out so she could stow away her new find, but she kept talking so he followed. “You know, when I was younger and Ripper would stop us here we always stayed on board.” She continued through the ship towards the stairs.
“So you were here with Ripper as a child?” He followed her automatically.
“Oh yes,” She drew her skirts up as she ascended the stairs. An unavoidable peek was taken advantage of by the new pirate’s eyes. It was only a bit of smooth shiny calf, but oh what a lovely bit it was. “He would spend hours teaching me such amazing things.”
“Sounds great.” Spike had to admit he really wasn’t listening to much while following her up. The green gown was no longer hiding her from his view and even with the yards of the white cotton he was transfixed with her hip’s sway and the movement of her body.
“We would stay up for hours, and he taught me things that I never would have learned in polite society.” She continued on to her chambers and walked in, leaving the door open for her comrade. “He was relentless with his persistence that I practice till I get it right.”
She was folding the silk into a chest and Spike vaguely realized that she was still talking about Ripper and how he was a relentless teacher. He was trying to take that in as well as the fact that he was now standing in the bedchamber of the blonde captain while she stood in the type of clothing he was sure most didn’t see.
Buffy was glad to be able to share some of her past with William, he seemed to be paying attention and she thought he’d appreciate why she liked being on board even at dock. “Sometimes he wouldn’t let me go to sleep until I got the roll of my tongue just right or the curve of my back.” She was smiling now. To think how much she learned of languages and fighting skills.
Those were such difficult lessons, but whenever she perfected an accent and the grammar to match she would smile for days. And the first time she was able to take down Giles, Ripper, in a challenge, the entire crew celebrated. The most proud had been Rupert though.
The lessons were such fond memories that she couldn’t help but smile to herself as she locked the latch on her chest. She was about to continue when she was rudely interrupted by the sweet man listening to her remember.
“He did what with your tongue?” That was what had fully brought about his attention to her words. Something about everything she’d said had just snapped into place and he was beginning to get a very different picture in his head than the one she was trying to paint.
From what Spike knew, the old captain was just that, old. He’d been captain of this vessel for as long as he could remember. Pirate stories were not uncommon and he could not recall the first time he’d heard of The Watcher and its notorious captain but the man was well aged. For another, this all happened when she was younger? How much younger?
Buffy shrugged. “Well, he had me practice rolling it properly.”
And every bit of blood in the young man’s body suddenly thought his groin was the place to be. He swallowed hard and thanked all that was precious above for the long tunic now hiding his predicament.
By the look on his face William was having trouble with something, so Buffy tried gave further description. “You know, for translation and pronunciation?”
He was a bit dizzy, probably because of the lack of blood circulating in his brain, but that did register. “Pardon?
His face changed again, this time a bit more relaxed so she went on. “Well Ripper was very well read and a great fighter. He wanted to make sure I could speak a few languages and could defend myself. He really did try to teach me everything he knew, but only me.” She grinned. “So when we would put to dock and all the men were off, Ripper would give me lessons.”
He let a sigh of relief escape. “Oh, well that sounds a bit more-” But he had to think to come up with the right word.
But Buffy was now trying to figure out why William had acted so oddly. “Wait. What did you think I was talking about?”
The strain in his voice was evident as he scratched the back of his neck. “It just sounded, just for a tic mind you, but it sounded rather tawdry.” He cleared his throat and tried to continue.
“Oh. My. God.” The disbelief and indignation flooded her words. She crossed her arms and shot daggers at him with her eyes. “Are you kidding me? He is like a father to me. You have a disgusting mind, William.”
He tried to backpedal. “No, I really don’t. I just misunderstood is all. Really.” He pled with her. His face was desperate. The last thing he’d wanted was for her to be cross with him. “Honestly, I clearly missed the bit when you told me you were talkin’ about studies.”
“Well what else would I be talking-.”She stopped mid-sentence having an idea of what he thought she had been discussing. “Ok, well I WAS talking about what he taught me in the arts of combat and communication. Not the art of love.”
He cocked an eyebrow at her words. He wouldn’t have expected her to refer to sex as ‘the art of love’ much less to him. “Alright then. So,” He tried very hard to remember what this conversation had started as, then her remembered. “Oh right, so that’s why you like staying on board. Fond memories?”
“Hmm.” Buffy thought to herself and took a seat on the edge of her bed. “No, not really. Its mostly because I’m comfortable here, and it’s quiet.” She let out a short chuckle. “And I can avoid strange or awkward conversations.”
He joined in with her laughter then. “Plan’s working well then?”
Another giggle escaped her before she nodded. “Going great actually.”
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Author's Chapter Notes:
So, even though I had this story nearly done when I started posting it, I just didn't like it's direction once I got to ch 9, so I had to step back. I'm not sure how regular updates will be, but I'm fairly comfortable with this chapter so, here ya go. Sorry for the crazy delay.
Chapter End Notes:
So, I am changing the direction this was originally going, not by much but I'll have to redo about 8 chapters so I'll get em up when I can. *kisses*