Nautilus

Author's Note: I just want to thank everyone who reviewed! I'm going to respond individually next chapter as I want to update this one as quick as I can. Oh, and found out from a friend of a friend the ending to AWE and though I'm not happy about it, at least there is fanfic :) I'm going to continue this fic until the very end, AWE canon ending or not. Enjoy!

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Chapter 8: Caribbean Blue

He found her, just as the sun’s rays stretched over the horizon, as she looked into the distance. This moment reminded him of the first morning after she awoke, but there was a difference with her. Her wings were no longer held up proudly and full, but heavy and with much strain; their color no longer a sparkling white, but a dull and drab ashen color. Her spirit shifted and swirled making the scene in front of him twist as he tried to detect what mood she was in.

“What do you want?” Selene, normally patient, wanted some space. He managed to aggravate her enough the last time they were together that she simply wished to be alone.

Davy tipped his head slightly, pondering what exactly she meant. For some reason, her words itched at him from their previous spat and now he had sought her out. Unexplainable, he felt the need of her presence around him. Right now she soothed the tension that raced in his mind and soul and it. Her essence, her purity radiated a warm and comforting sensation in his cold, dark veins. Perhaps dying men saw and felt her like this before? She eased them from the terrifying void as they crossed into the afterlife?

The retort he had wanted to belittle her with earlier had vanished and for once he felt at ease.

“Can we agree to disagree about this?” Davy pouted his lip.

Selene thought his question over and responded. “I think it is the best solution. This is your ship thus your rules.

What was this? With her answer, the easy mood had vanished as quickly as the wind. Why had she decided to meddle with that argument? He had forgotten about it and wanted to enjoy the mere and simple peace she offered, not bring up 'that'. Was it a trick? Had she wanted to catch him off guard?

“Captain, if you are not going to be coherent with me, then you are wasting both your time and my own.”

Why was it now he realized she had still not changed into something more suitable?

“Pardon me, Captain?”

“Agreed, though expect the rules to change.” He paused, since she was not acting on the accord as he intended. The woman had more will than he believed. She had not been here long yet she took off whenever the opportunity opened itself. If there was any word that described her character, “flighty” believed the most apt to use.

This appeared unfortunate; he needed a certain someone below deck for some prodding. His mind had wondered too much lately and some further interrogation always lightened his damp mood.

The wretch needed to believe he was ‘forgiven’ and then the angel could persuade him. He grinned. It would work. He waited until she went below before he signaled the deckhands to go below to fetch Turner.

(Davy’s POV)

Perhaps I had not thought of all the possibilities that have occurred because of her presence on board, because she changed it all. I had intended her to blend in and use her to my own advantage, but she proved to be more than that. How much time had passed since she arrived; days, maybe months? I snorted in disgust. 'When did I find her time aboard important?'

I wondered if I were simply wasting my time by letting her aboard, and again I questioned why the Kraken had decided to discard her instead of just eating her. Then again, the Kraken had not always strictly obeyed his commands. I wanted to shake my head, but settled with moving out of sight, much like Selene had done earlier. Selene, I repeated the name in my head. I frowned. ‘When had I heard that name before?’

I settled against the mast and shielded myself from the heated sun. I preferred the darkness of night more than the warmth of day. The sunlight was something a man looked forward to, to embrace the dawn of a new day. I did not look forward to that and had nothing to hope for. My chance had passed.

(End of Davy POV)

Her furrowed eyebrows and upraised frown dictated an expression between muddled and bewildered. How many moods did this man have? First, he harassed her then he prodded her and now he sought her insight on this latest agreement? What 'did' he want?

Bootstrap Bill Turner emerged, dragged forwards by an excessively giddy, but vicious crew. Heavily shackled, the crew pushed and passed Bill along while a satisfied Captain looked on from behind.

Selene looked on with empathy. Though she had become enlightened with Bill, she could no interfere here. She knew what the crew prepared for. Had it occurred differently, she might have been able to protect or even aid him, but not here and not on this ship. This was not her domain and she had neither the privilege nor the right to pass judgment on him. She could only watch and feel for him, even though every fiber of her leaped to protect him.

As one of the crew lifted the whip and Bill placed into position, she turned away and made her way silently down into the ship. She blocked out the jeers from the crew and the heavy emotions coming off in waves from the victim. For an instant, she questioned it all. Had He planned on judging her too? That was what this is all about? She wondered if this was her punishment. She walked with these cursed men, not striking them down and sending them to hell. She shared in their sins even if she had not committed them, which were the same as if she 'sinned' with them.

Seemingly, the entire bottom had emptied to watch above deck and she was alone. Inside the prison cell, someone had placed (or rather thrown) a pile of clothing on the damp, messy floor. She knelt down and picked some articles of clothing up. There was hardly any choice of outfits, but she had enough gratitude to thank whoever brought her something to wear.

Among the clothing, there were a couple of sashes and she used one to bind her cleavage close to her chest and the other to cover her lower regions. She put on a shirt, pulled on a pair of light brown breeches and matching socks, and finished by adding a black overcoat. Contented by the results, she felt ready to go above deck and “prance” around the ship, as the Captain had so finely put it. Ready to go, she almost missed one last item that she had not expected to be among a man’s state of dress. Curiosity got the best of her and she soon tried to figure a way to wear it.

Later, she made her way above deck and thankfully the crew had scattered; they kept busy by the usual troubles of the ship. She looked around for Bill and noticed him, still shackled. She walked towards him, but stopped suddenly as she felt a heated stare on her back. She turned to one of the masts and noticed the source of the in glare. It was the Captain. He appeared agitated; as if the satisfaction of Bill’s earlier punishment had worn off. She turned to Bill and then looked to the Captain. Torn between the two, she believed best to at least thank the sullen leader for the garments.

Bill grimaced as she headed towards the sullen Captain. He shook his head and received a scurrilous glare from Maccus.

She came within a few feet of Davy as he leaned against the mast. He warily watched her, blue eyes piercingly searched for an answer for her approach to him.Selene waited for him to make the first move and she tilted her head and hoped he accepted the fact she had peaceful reasons to be so near him. A silent moment passed between the two as the rest of the men blended into the background, giving them space.

Finally, Davy made the first move. “Good to see you listened to me, for once. Without having you making a commotion, made it all much easier.”

Selene absorbed his words and sought for a worthy response. She found none and tempted to turn around and go back to Bill when she sensed there was more to the words than he had let on. He sounded as if he had not wanted her to watch her friend’s punishment? “I wanted to thank you for the clothes.”

She had not expected his reaction as he emitted a strange sounding snort through his one breathing tube. He looked away, over the vast blue sea, interested in directing his attention elsewhere. The glare had vanished and for once, Selene thought a warm, peaceful air had overtaken him. The moment soon vanished as he looked her over, head to boot, more thoroughly.

He raised an eyebrow, but now she was up close her state of dress was not proper. "Where be your clothes, woman?”

Selene flashed him a warm smile and looked to him through half-lidded eyes. She wanted the chance to tease him this time. “I thought your crew might like it.”

Eyes wide, he looked between her and his crew and back. Her clothing was correct save for one article of a 'woman’s' dress she wore around her chest; a corset. The rest of her clothing loosely hung from her form while the corset tightened and highlighted her middle. It offset the balance giving her a shapely figure.

She laughed, for the first time aboard; her laughter was such a sweet, pleasant sound, Davy forgot any ill-comment had had thought of. Unknowingly, he pushed a laughing Selene behind him and out of the sight of anyone. “Listen here-uh. I told you that you cannot wear such distractions around on my ship.” He pointed towards her chest. “Specifically that; I do not want my crew sidetracked.”

Selene continued her mirth, but tried to hide it and hid her mouth under a shaky hand. “I am wearing just as much clothing as anyone else. What does it matter if I wore this?”

(Davy’s POV)

I wanted to take her in my claw and throw her overboard. 'Or throw her on your bed as she screamed to the heavens; you satisfied and her in pure rapture.' The corset made a man’s mind wonder. She made it worse as she pranced around in it! My mind swirled as I thought of all the outcomes if the crew noticed it. It gave me enough thoughts and turned my mind into a race of each outcome. She drove me mad! The worst thought wanted me to ravage her, a creature that disgusted me. Had I finally lost any sense of feeling I had left? Had I not bedded a woman in that long to have such longing for a creature desperately distant from my touch and reach?

Halfway on a reprimand, I stopped as the air around us pulsed. I knew that feeling; my heart was near. Out of all the times I searched, this link was strong.

I wasted no time and forgot about Selene. Finally, I would close this endless chapter of my life. I grinned. I would find the bastard that took it and keelhaul him until his flesh peeled off.

The entire mood changed and the pursuit of a hunt danced in the air. 'Her' image, also my lost love and betrayer flashed through my mind; it pushed me on ever forwards, ever determined to make me right with what had wronged me.

I saw the ship, carrying the British flag, and she was not a normal one; she carried the flags which proved her of one of the top-ranked individuals. This proved even better than a common vessel. Taking her down proved who still mastered these seas to everyone, especially the ones of “higher power”. I wanted to destroy them slowly and painfully; I called on the Kraken.

Selene had made her way and stood next to me and my grin slipped as she cast a disapproving glare on me. A dark gray color swirled in her eyes and her mouth set in a grim line. Was she mad at me? I was too high on my anger and never thought of her reaction. The little peace I enjoyed with her became fleetingly smaller with each moment that passed by. I ignored her thoughts and I enjoyed seeing her pain. “Your services are no longer needed, in fact, consider the agreement adjourned.”

The woman took a step back. “You are what?”

I became agitated. “Do I have to repeat it for you? I have found my heart and since that was part of the agreement, we no longer have an accord. Consider yourself fortunate that I have kept you aboard this long”.

I wondered how much longer she was going to stand there and look at me. “I gave you a chance. Your decision is to stay then?” She gave no me no answer so I diverted my attention to my crew and yelled the orders to take the ship. When I turned back, she had vanished.

(End of Davy's POV)

End of Chapter 8