Neither Lady nor Pirate (Complete)

Chapter Twenty Six

So it's funny how you think that when summer comes you're just gonna have all this time and all your ideas are just gonna come expertly flying from your brain, but then it ends up being even harder to write because you have a job and late night shifts on top of family and a social life and... Yeah, you get it I'm sure.

Really sorry it took longer than usual to get this up.

It is rather long, so I hope that makes up for it ^.^

XOXO

sophie9630

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TWENTY-SIX

"Yes, you can rejoin the team to hunt for treasure." Finn had not even needed to turn around to know what Abbie's intentions were for approaching him the next morning.

When he did, though, he couldn't help but throw his head back in laughter at her bewildered expression. Her jaw hung slightly ajar and one eyebrow stretched high across her forehead.

"Did I take the words out of your mouth, darlin'?" He asked playfully, snaking his arms around her waist and tugging her close.

"Maybe," Abbie replied with a wide grin. "But, I don't mind."

Tilting her head up, she took his face in her hands and placed a delightfully sweet kiss on Finn's lips. His head went spinning and he could feel himself smile under Abbie's kiss.

"Ye's know that ya don't have ta hide in the brig every time ya wanna snog, right?"

Captain Porter eased his way down the steps with a knowing smile. He grabbed a small pouch of gunpowder and laughed as Finn pulled sheepishly from Abbie.

"We didn't... We weren't..." Finn stammered awkwardly, but Port waved a dismissive hand as he riffled through another crate for some flint.

"I know, boy, I know," the captain replied with a wink. "I'm juss sayin'. You two're a smart match 'n I don't think the crew'd mind tha' much ta see ya bein' all 'fectionate with each other."

When he found the object of his search, Port placed it in the rucksack hanging around his shoulders. "Well, now, le's get a move on 'fore we waste the sunlight, shall we?"

Abbie and Finn nodded simultaneously. They followed Port and joined the rest of the crew on the main deck, slipping through crowd of men easily.

"Ah, there ya are boy!" A loud voice called from somewhere in front of them.

Looking up, Finn saw his father standing on a crate of rum to elevate himself above the rest of the men. He had likely been saying something before, but Finn hadn't heard a word over the buzz of excitement thrumming through the men.

"We're puttin' you in charge'a leadin' us today, seein' as 'ow yer the man who found the cross. Are there any word's ye'd like ta say 'fore we get this shindig started?"

For just a moment, Finn was propelled backwards in time. Having to look up at his father reminded him of his childhood, when Finn was barely taller than the sign that told how tall he had to be to work at the docks.

He remembered the days they'd spent lifting bags, barrels, and boxes. He remembered the afternoons they'd eat apples and carrots for lunch, and if they were lucky, a slice of Finn's mother's bread. He remembered the nights they'd run home in competition, Finn somehow always winning though Ardan had much longer legs.

They'd been inseparable, and at the time, Finn had considered his father his very best friend.

Blinking as he came back to the present, Finn realized that the crew was eyeing him expectantly. Clearing his throat, he fumbled with a response.